Reacquiring Russian citizenship and obtaining a Russian passport is a significant milestone for many individuals who once held Russian nationality but lost it due to various reasons, such as voluntary renunciation or naturalization in another country. For former Russian citizens with children born abroad, the process of obtaining a Russian passport involves additional steps, particularly when it comes to the status and rights of their children.
In this article, we will discuss the process of obtaining a Russian passport for former citizens who have children born outside of Russia, including the legal considerations, requirements, and practical steps involved in ensuring both the parent and children can obtain Russian passports.
1. Reacquiring Russian Citizenship as a Former Citizen
Before addressing how children born abroad can obtain Russian citizenship and a passport, it’s important to understand the process of reacquiring Russian citizenship for former citizens. This process can be done through restoration of citizenship, which involves:
- Application for Citizenship Restoration: Former citizens can apply to restore their Russian citizenship by providing evidence of their previous Russian nationality, such as old passports, birth certificates, or other official documents.
- Documentation: You will need to submit documents proving your identity, such as your previous Russian passport (if available), proof of renunciation (if applicable), and a clean criminal record certificate. If the authorities find the documentation in order, the process will proceed smoothly.
- Naturalization Process: In some cases, if a former citizen is unable to provide sufficient proof of their previous citizenship, they may have to go through the standard naturalization process, which includes residence requirements and language proficiency tests.
Once your citizenship is restored, you will be eligible to apply for a Russian passport, which will allow you to regain your rights as a Russian citizen, including access to healthcare, social services, and voting rights.
2. Russian Citizenship for Children Born Abroad
One of the most common questions for former Russian citizens who have children born abroad is whether their children are entitled to Russian citizenship, and if so, how to ensure that they obtain a Russian passport.
Russian law allows children born abroad to acquire Russian citizenship through their parents if at least one of the parents is a Russian citizen at the time of the child’s birth. However, if the parent has only recently regained Russian citizenship, the situation can be slightly more complex.
2.1 Children Born After Reacquisition of Russian Citizenship
If your children were born after you reacquired your Russian citizenship, they are generally eligible for Russian citizenship by descent. Russian law grants automatic citizenship to children born outside of Russia, as long as at least one parent is a Russian citizen.
The steps to ensure your children are granted Russian citizenship and a passport include:
- Submit Birth Certificate: You will need to provide your child’s birth certificate as part of the documentation.
- Proof of Your Russian Citizenship: You must provide proof of your restored Russian citizenship, such as your newly acquired Russian passport.
- Application for Russian Citizenship: The child’s citizenship application can be submitted to the Russian consulate or embassy in the country where you reside.
Once the citizenship is confirmed, your child will be eligible to receive a Russian passport, allowing them to benefit from the same rights as any other Russian citizen, including the ability to travel freely in and out of Russia.
2.2 Children Born Before Reacquisition of Russian Citizenship
If your children were born before you reacquired your Russian citizenship, their eligibility for Russian citizenship depends on several factors:
- If You Were a Russian Citizen at the Time of Their Birth: If you were a Russian citizen when your child was born, they are entitled to Russian citizenship by descent, even if they were born abroad. In this case, their citizenship status can be formalized after your citizenship is restored. To apply for Russian citizenship for your children, you will need to:
- Submit your child’s birth certificate and proof of your Russian citizenship.
- Apply at the Russian consulate or embassy, where you will need to provide any additional documents required by local authorities.
- If You Were Not a Russian Citizen at the Time of Their Birth: If you were not a Russian citizen when your child was born, you will need to apply for Russian citizenship for your child through the process of restoration of citizenship by descent. This involves providing proof that you are a descendant of Russian nationals and proving the relationship between you and your child.
For children born abroad before you reacquired your Russian citizenship, the consulate may request additional evidence to confirm the connection between your family and Russia.
3. Steps for Applying for Russian Passports for Children Born Abroad
Once your children’s eligibility for Russian citizenship is confirmed, the next step is applying for their Russian passports. Here is a step-by-step guide for obtaining Russian passports for children born abroad:
3.1 Gather Required Documents
To apply for a Russian passport for your child, you will need the following documents:
- Birth Certificate: Your child’s original birth certificate (and certified translation into Russian if necessary).
- Proof of Your Russian Citizenship: Your Russian passport (or proof of restored citizenship).
- Parental Documents: If you are applying as a sole parent or guardian, you may need to provide documents proving your parental rights or guardianship status.
- Passport Application Form: This can be obtained from the Russian consulate or embassy and must be filled out for each child applying for a passport.
- Passport Photos: Standard passport photos of your child, according to Russian passport specifications.
3.2 Submit the Application
Once all the required documents are gathered, submit the application to the nearest Russian consulate or embassy. Some consulates may require you to schedule an appointment in advance for submitting documents.
3.3 Processing Time
The processing time for Russian passports can vary depending on the consulate’s workload and local regulations, but it generally takes several weeks to a few months for passports to be issued. Be sure to ask the consulate for estimated processing times when submitting your application.
3.4 Receiving the Passport
Once the application is processed and approved, your child’s Russian passport will be issued. In most cases, you will be notified by the consulate to pick up the passport in person, though some consulates may offer to mail the passport to your address.
4. Dual Citizenship Considerations
If your child holds citizenship in another country in addition to Russian citizenship, it is important to consider the implications of dual citizenship. While Russia allows dual citizenship, it requires individuals to declare their second citizenship, particularly for legal matters such as military service obligations (for male citizens of conscription age) or taxation. It is important to stay informed about the rules surrounding dual citizenship and ensure that your child is properly registered in both countries, if necessary.
Additionally, some countries may not recognize dual citizenship or have laws requiring individuals to renounce one citizenship. Be sure to check the laws of the country where your child holds citizenship to ensure compliance with all legal requirements.
Summary
Reacquiring your Russian passport can significantly affect your children’s citizenship status, especially if they were born abroad. Children born after you regain your Russian citizenship are typically entitled to citizenship by descent and can easily obtain a Russian passport. However, if your children were born before your citizenship was restored, you will need to formally apply for their Russian citizenship by providing proof of your own Russian nationality and their descent.
The process involves submitting necessary documentation, such as birth certificates, proof of citizenship, and application forms to the Russian consulate or embassy. Once your child’s citizenship is confirmed, they can receive a Russian passport, granting them all the rights and privileges of Russian citizens, including travel and residency rights in Russia.
By following the necessary steps and ensuring that all documentation is in order, you can successfully obtain Russian passports for your children, allowing them to enjoy the benefits of Russian citizenship, even if they were born outside of Russia.
