For children under 14, a federal law signed on 27 October 2025 provides for online applications to the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs. The Consular Section of the Embassy of Russia in Germany lists five ways to evidence the child’s Russian citizenship.

Federal law signed on 27 October 2025 provides online MVD applications

According to the Consular Section of the Embassy of Russia in Germany, a federal law signed on 27 October 2025 provides for an application to be sent electronically through Gosuslugi, Russia’s public-services portal. The application is addressed to a territorial office of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD of Russia).

A parent or another legal representative may use the online route or submit the application in paper form to the territorial MVD office, according to the Consular Section. The electronic option concerns an application connected with a child’s citizenship acquired by birth; it does not remove the need to identify the relevant supporting document.

Five document routes can evidence citizenship for a child under 14

According to the Consular Section, a valid Russian foreign passport issued to the child is one document that can confirm Russian citizenship. A certificate stating that the child acquired citizenship of the Russian Federation by birth is another listed option.

The Consular Section also accepts a birth certificate bearing a mark confirming Russian citizenship. In addition, citizenship can be evidenced by a Russian passport of a parent if it contains information about the child and that entry has been properly certified.

Foreign birth records need a Russian translation and a citizenship mark

If the child’s birth was registered by a foreign authority, the Consular Section says the foreign birth document may be used with a Russian translation notarised under Russian rules. The document must also bear a mark confirming Russian citizenship.

Check the original birth record, the citizenship mark and the notarised translation before relying on this route. A translation prepared for another purpose is not described by the Consular Section as a substitute for a translation notarised in accordance with Russian requirements.

The Russian MVD considers the application within five working days

According to the Consular Section, the territorial MVD office considers the application within five working days. This period applies to the application route described by the Consular Section, whether it is submitted through Gosuslugi or in paper form.

Prepare the available citizenship evidence before submitting an application so that you can select the document route that matches the child’s records. The Consular Section identifies parents and other legal representatives as the people who may apply.

Parents should confirm local filing details before choosing a submission route

The Consular Section’s notice does not specify individual eligibility, the country or place for filing, fees, or the date on which electronic filing becomes available. Before applying, confirm these points with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the MVD of Russia or the relevant Russian consulate.

For a family living outside Russia, the relevant Russian consulate can explain how its procedures interact with the documents listed by the Consular Section. Do not assume that a document issued in another country can be used without the Russian-language translation and citizenship mark described for foreign birth records.

FAQ

What can prove my child’s Russian citizenship before age 14?

According to the Consular Section of the Embassy of Russia in Germany, evidence may include the child’s Russian foreign passport, a citizenship-by-birth certificate, a birth certificate with a citizenship mark, a qualifying foreign birth record, or a properly certified entry in a parent’s Russian passport.

Can I apply online for confirmation of my child’s citizenship?

Yes. According to the Consular Section, a federal law signed on 27 October 2025 provides for electronic applications through Gosuslugi to a territorial office of the MVD of Russia.

How long does the MVD take to consider the application?

The Consular Section states that the application is considered within five working days.

My child was born abroad. Do I need to translate the birth certificate?

Yes, according to the Consular Section, a foreign birth document requires a Russian translation notarised under Russian rules and a mark confirming Russian citizenship.

What to check

  • Identify which of the five listed documents is available for the child.
  • Check whether the child has a Russian foreign passport.
  • Check for a certificate confirming acquisition of Russian citizenship by birth.
  • Check whether the birth certificate bears a mark confirming Russian citizenship.
  • For a foreign birth record, arrange a Russian translation notarised under Russian rules and check the citizenship mark.
  • If using a parent’s Russian passport, verify that the child’s entry is properly certified.
  • Choose Gosuslugi or a paper application to the territorial MVD office, where applicable.
  • Allow for the five-working-day consideration period stated by the Consular Section.