In brief: admission to Russian citizenship is governed by Federal Law No. 138-FZ. In cases specified by the law, taking the Oath of a Citizen of the Russian Federation forms part of completing the procedure. The exact process depends on the ground for the application, the decision of the authorised body and the applicant’s status.
Points that should not be confused
- filing a citizenship application and receiving a decision on it;
- proof of lawful stay, identity documents and the ground for admission;
- the oath procedure and obtaining documents after the required steps are completed.
Documents that matter
The document set is determined by the ground for the application. Identity, lawful residence, family status or other legally relevant facts can be critical. Documents issued abroad may require a separate check of format, translation and legalisation depending on the country and document.
What to do after a decision
- Obtain and keep the details of the decision and the next required steps.
- Confirm with the authorised body the procedure, date and documents for the next stage.
- Check whether the oath requirements and statutory exceptions apply to your situation.
- Do not rely on unofficial “guaranteed” timelines: they depend on the ground and procedure.
Where difficulties arise
A refusal, suspension or inability to accept documents should be requested in writing. This makes it possible to determine whether the issue concerns completeness of documents, the ground for application, information about the applicant or the procedural route.
Official basis
The current rules are contained in the Federal Law on Citizenship of the Russian Federation. An individual case should be checked against the current wording of the law and the guidance of the authorised authority.
Federal Law No. 138-FZ on Citizenship of the Russian Federation