MARRIAGE IN RUSSIA

Disclaimer: The following information relating to marriage requirements of specific foreign countries is provided for general information only and may not be accurate in a particular case. Questions involving interpretations of specific foreign laws should be addressed to foreign attorneys or foreign government officials.

5-Steps To A Russian Marriage

April 02, 2002

US citizens who plan to marry Russian citizens should read this information handout.

Please note that these procedures are subject to change without notice and that the information provided is merely a guideline you may find helpful. Furthermore, the procedures listed below may not apply to US citizens who intend marry other Americans or third-country nationals in Russia.

1. REGISTER YOUR VISA WITH YOUR RUSSIAN SPONSOR

Every foreigner is required by Russian law to have his visa registered by his sponsor through either the local or central UVIR (Office of Foreign Visa Registration). For more information about registering your visa, please request a copy of our "A How-to Guide for the Russian Visa" handout.

2. PREPARE A MARRIAGE LETTER AT THE AMERICAN EMBASSY

US citizens who intend to marry in Russia must complete the attached standard affidavit form (svidetel'stvo) in which they state their current marital status. The attached form must be completed in Russian and notarized before a US Consul. The transliteration of your name should be identical to that on your Russian visa. The American Citizen Services Unit of the Embassy offers notarial services Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.; the cost is $55 or the equivalent in rubles. Green card holders and other legal permanent residents are not entitled to this service.

3. HAVE THE MARRIAGE LETTER AUTHENTICATED AT THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

This service is performed by the Department of Legalization of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at Neopalimovskiy pereulok, dom 12a, approximately a twelve minute walk from Smolenskaya Metro (on the dark blue line). The hours of operation are from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. (until 4:30 p.m. on Friday). Monday through Friday; telephone 244-3797. The procedure costs around 100 rubles for a five-day return. There is no next day or otherwise expeditious service available. All fees can be paid at the Sberkassa located in the waiting room of the Department of Legalization.

4. OBTAIN AN OFFICIAL TRANSLATION OF THE INFORMATION PAGE OF YOUR PASSPORT

The necessary translation can be obtained at any certified translation center that has a Russian notary public present. The following is a partial list of certified translation centers in Moscow:

Bureau of Interpreters: 250-0317/0407/1723
Dialect: 145-8956
Translation office: 925-2155
Khors Service: 249-8663/4645
Referat: 263-1855
Uni V Tour: 181-9782

5. GET MARRIED AT THE CIVIL REGISTRY OFFICE (ZAGS)

After completing the first four steps, you must contact the ZAGS (Zapis Aktov Grazhdanskogo Sostoyaniya) office where your fiancee is registered and submit your documents for inspection. ZAGS officials generally will demand that you submit apostilled* copies of all pertinent US civil documents (i.e., divorce certificates, annulments) for their inspection. ZAGS will then schedule the civil service wedding 32 days from the date of registration. You do not have to stay in Russia for this period, but rather be present to submit the application and appear on the 32nd day in order to get your marriage license. If your fiancée/fiancé is a Muscovite, you must submit the documents you have prepared, your passport, and Russian visa to the Civil Registry Office at the following address: Palace of Weddings, 17 Butyrskaya St. Telephone 285-1960, 285-7988.

AFTER THE MARRIAGE, THE US CITIZEN MAY PETITION THE RUSSIAN SPOUSE FOR A K3 MARRIAGE VISA.

ALTERNATIVE TO MARRIAGE ABROAD:

Instead of the above procedures, it is possible to file a fiance visa petition for an alien to enter the United States as the fiancee of an American citizen. Thus, enabling the parties to marry in the United States. Note that this is only possible if you have previously physically met your fiancee. K1 Fiance Visa.

To consult a K3 marriage visa attorney, please call us at (626) 279-5341 or e-mail us at info@bccvisalaw.com. An attorney in our office would be happy to assist you.