A clarification from Russia’s Foreign Ministry explains what Russian citizens living abroad can do if they need to be removed from residence registration at an address in Russia. The key point is the division of responsibilities: the registration service is handled by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (МВД), while Russian embassies and consulates abroad do not perform deregistration themselves.

Who this clarification applies to

This information applies to Russian citizens who are outside Russia and intend to be removed from registration at their place of residence in Russia. It is not a new deregistration procedure. Rather, the Foreign Ministry has clarified which Russian authorities are responsible when citizens abroad raise this question.

For foreigners connected to Russia through a Russian spouse, children, family members or property, the distinction is important: this clarification concerns a Russian citizen’s residence registration record. It does not describe visa, migration registration or residence procedures for foreign nationals. If your own status is involved, check the relevant rules with МВД, the Russian Foreign Ministry or the Russian consulate handling your case.

МВД, not the consulate, provides the service

Russia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, known by its Russian abbreviation МВД, provides the state service for registration records at a place of residence in Russia. The applicable administrative rules are approved by МВД Order No. 553 of 6 August 2025.

Russian diplomatic missions and consular offices abroad are not responsible for keeping or changing these residence registration records. Therefore, a person should not expect an embassy or consulate to remove them from registration directly. The Foreign Ministry’s clarification does not specify the application channel, place of filing, required documents, processing time or fees. These points should be verified with МВД or the specific МВД office that will receive the request.

Personal application or a representative

A Russian citizen may address the matter personally or act through a representative. A representative is a person authorised to deal with the application on the citizen’s behalf. The clarification states that a representative may be used when they hold a power of attorney.

A power of attorney is a document by which one person authorises another to act for them. Before arranging one, contact the МВД body that will consider the application and ask what it requires the document to contain. The Foreign Ministry specifically advises confirming the content requirements with the receiving МВД authority, rather than assuming that a standard wording will be accepted.

What a Russian consulate can do abroad

Although a Russian embassy or consular office cannot deregister a citizen from a Russian address, it may certify a power of attorney. Certification is the consular act that formally confirms the power of attorney for use in the representative arrangement described by the Foreign Ministry.

This may be relevant for a Russian citizen who is abroad and cannot handle the matter in person in Russia. However, consular certification does not replace the МВД application or mean that the consulate will submit or decide it. Check with the chosen diplomatic mission or consular office about its own appointment and certification arrangements, and check with the receiving МВД office about the power of attorney requirements before applying.

Points to confirm before taking action

The clarification does not state any deadline for applying, the time needed to be removed from registration, the consequences of not applying, or a list of supporting documents. It also does not name a particular country of application or a specific МВД office. Do not rely on assumptions based on another person’s case.

Start by deciding whether to apply personally or through a representative. If a representative will act, obtain the receiving МВД office’s requirements for the power of attorney first. Where a consular certification is needed, a Russian diplomatic mission or consular office abroad may perform that certification, but the deregistration decision remains within МВД’s authority.

Что проверить

  • Confirm that you are a Russian citizen registered at a place of residence in Russia and want to be removed from that registration record.
  • Decide whether you will apply personally or use a representative acting under a power of attorney.
  • If using a representative, ask the МВД office that will receive the application what wording and contents it requires in the power of attorney.
  • If necessary, arrange certification of the power of attorney at a Russian diplomatic mission or consular office abroad.
  • Check directly with МВД or the receiving МВД office for the application route, required documents, processing period and any location-specific requirements.