Case: Marriage with a Russian citizen
Congratulations! You found a person of your dream and want to be married in her or his country.
First of all, it is not hard and certainly does not cost a fortune.
Here we describe things, which can help you to understand the procedure and to realize your dream.
In Russia marriages are registered in local Civil Registry office, called “ZAGS”. You can choose the place where you want to be married. There are no restrictions in Russian laws about it.
To apply for registration of marriage you need to have several documents:
A Russian passport for Russian citizen. For citizen of other country: a passport with valid Russian visa, migration card or other paper about registration on the territory of Russian Federation, a paper, that proves your marital status.
The registration fee also has to be paid before applying for registration.
The page with personal information has to be translated and witnessed by Russian notary, or it can be translated in the consulate of your country and signed by consul.
The document proving your marital status can be obtained in your country or in the consulate of your country. It has to be legalized with “Apostille” according to Hague Convention.
Attention! Not all countries signed the Convention, so the procedure of legalization for citizens of these countries is a bit more complicated. The legalized document also has to be translated; translation also has to be witnessed by notary or consul.
When you have your papers done you have to go to ZAGS.
Practice show that it is reasonable first to go there “just to ask” and to be sure that there are no other papers needed. Legislation in Russia is changeable and it is better to check everything twice. Russian person can do it alone. When you are ready to apply for your marriage you have to go to ZAGS together. There you have to fill in the form. All the procedure is in Russian language! The application form is an official request to process the wedding and should be signed by you both. It is reasonable to have a translator with you.
Officially the wedding day cannot be set before one month, if you are not in exceptional situation. The chief of the ZAGS can help you and speed up the process.
In the day of wedding it is also good to have a translator near because you will sign papers, answer questions. The spouses will get a State Wedding Certificate, which proves your marriage status on the territory of Russia.
For all questions of legalizing your wedding certificate, getting permissions of stay you should require the consulate of the country of foreign spouse. For getting permission of stay in Russia foreigner should inquire Russian authorities.
