Notification of the Ministry of Internal Affairs about second citizenship: step by step through State Services

Why is notification needed at all?

Since 2014, Russia has had a law that obliges citizens to inform the state about obtaining a second citizenship or residence permit. The goal is to control dual citizenship, especially among officials and civil servants. But the requirement applies to all citizens of the Russian Federation who permanently live in Russia.

It is important to understand: a notification is not a request for permission. You simply inform the state of the fact. No one can refuse you, or ban a foreign passport either. This is an administrative formality that is best completed on time.

Who is required to give notice?

Any citizen of the Russian Federation who:

• permanently resides in Russia (registration, center of vital interests in the Russian Federation);
• received foreign citizenship;
• received a residence permit or other document giving the right to permanent residence in another country.

Please note: a residence permit also falls under this requirement. Many people don’t know about this and end up fined.

Who is exempt from notification?

The law directly names three categories that do not need to be notified:

• Citizenship by birth - if you were born with two citizenships (for example, parents from different countries), you do not need to notify.
• Refugees - persons who have received refugee status in the Russian Federation are exempt from this obligation.
• Permanently residing abroad - if you live not in Russia, but abroad, you are required to notify only upon your first entry into the Russian Federation. It is submitted not through State Services, but through the Russian Consulate in the country of residence.

I’ll be : it’s the last point that causes the most confusion. Clients often ask: “I live in Dubai, do I need to give notice?” If you live there permanently, apply through the consulate. If you come to Russia, notify upon your first entry, directly at the airport or to the Ministry of Internal Affairs within 60 days.

Duration: 60 days and how to count them

You have exactly 60 days from the date of receipt of a foreign passport or residence permit. The reference date is the one that appears in the document as the date of issue.

In my practice, there was a case when a client received a Bulgarian passport in December, and notified the Ministry of Internal Affairs in March - 90 days later. The result is an administrative matter. I had to explain the circumstances and prove that the delay was forced. We left with a minimal fine, but we spent a lot of nerves. Don't repeat this mistake.

If the 60th day falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline is moved to the next business day.

What documents will be required

Minimum package:

• A copy of a foreign passport (all pages with data: photo, personal data, date of issue, expiration date). If the passport is in a foreign language - notarized translation not needed, a copy is enough.
• Russian passport - will be needed for identification when submitting.

When submitting through State Services, you upload scans. When applying in person to the Ministry of Internal Affairs or the MFC, bring originals and copies.

No certificates, extracts, or notarizations are required. The law deliberately made the package easy - so that people would actually apply for it.

Step by step through State Services

This is the most convenient way if you have a verified account on the portal.

1. Log in to gosuslugi.ru using your account.
2. In the search, enter “Notification of the presence of another citizenship” - that’s what the service is called.
3. Select applicant type: individual.
4. Fill out the form: full name, date of birth, registration address in the Russian Federation, foreign passport details (country, number, date of issue, expiration date).
5. Upload a scan of your foreign passport (photo spread and page with the date of issue).
6. Submit your application. You will receive an acceptance notification with an assigned number.

There is no state duty. The service is free.

The review period is no more than 10 working days, but in fact it is simply a registration of the fact: there is no lengthy check, you will simply be confirmed for admission.

Submission in person: Ministry of Internal Affairs or MFC

If State Services are not available or you prefer to do so in person, go to the territorial office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs at the place of registration or to the MFC.

Order:

1. Fill out the notification form (the form is approved by order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs). You can take the form on the spot or download it from the Ministry of Internal Affairs website in advance.
2. Attach a copy of your foreign passport.
3. Show your Russian passport.
4. The inspector will mark your copy as accepted - keep it.

A copy with a mark is your proof that you did everything on time. Store it in the same way as your passport itself.

If you live abroad: Russian Consulate

For those who do not permanently reside in Russia, the rules are slightly different. The notification is submitted through the Russian consulate in the country of residence - in person or by registered mail.

When entering Russia for the first time after receiving a foreign passport, you are required to notify the Ministry of Internal Affairs within 60 days from the date of entry. This is important: the countdown does not start from the date of receipt of the passport, but from the date of the first crossing of the Russian border.

In practice, I recommend not delaying and notifying through the consulate immediately - so as not to keep this in mind every time you visit Russia.

Costs and penalties

The notification itself is free. There is no state duty.

But breaking the law comes at a cost:

Important clarification: administrative liability - for violation order (late, filled in incorrectly). Criminal - for deliberate concealment. These are different compositions. If you simply forgot and missed the deadline, most likely this is an administrative matter, not a criminal one. But it's better to check with a lawyer.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Over the years of practice, I have seen the same mistakes:

• They consider a residence permit to be “the wrong document.” A residence permit is also a basis for notification. Not just a passport.
• They confuse the reference date. The deadline starts from the date the document was issued, and not from the date you received it in your hands. The difference may be a week or two, and this affects the calculation.
• Confirmation is not saved. After submitting through State Services, download the PDF with the application number. If submitting in person, pick up your marked copy.
• They think that they don’t live in Russia, which means they don’t need to. If you are registered in the Russian Federation and come periodically, the question is ambiguous. It's better to check individually.

What happens after notification

It's OK. The information is entered into the Ministry of Internal Affairs database - and for most people the story ends there.

Second citizenship in Russia is not prohibited for ordinary citizens. There are restrictions for civil servants, military personnel, and law enforcement officers - they cannot have foreign citizenship in principle. But this is a separate story, not related to the notification procedure.

For entrepreneurs, investors, people without positions in government agencies, a second passport does not limit the rights in Russia in any way. You continue to use your Russian passport, vote, and own property.

How to check if a notification has been accepted

Through State Services: in your personal account in the “My Applications” section the status will be “Accepted” or “Processed”. As soon as the status has changed, everything is fine.

When submitting in person: your copy with the inspector’s signature and date is confirmation. You will not be sent any additional document.

If you want to be on the safe side, take a photo of the completed form before submitting. In case of disputes about the content.

Second passport through investment: notification is also required

Many BRIDGES GLOBAL clients obtain second citizenship through investment programs - Türkiye, Bulgaria, Grenada, Antigua, Cyprus. The rule is the same for everyone: 60 days, notify the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The only thing worth paying attention to: if you are moving to another country for permanent residence during the process or immediately after receiving a passport, it is important to correctly determine what status you are in: permanently residing in Russia or abroad. This determines which channel to feed through and when the countdown begins. If you have any doubts, we will look into it individually.

My practical advice

Briefly, without water:

• Submit through State Services - it’s faster and there is an electronic trail.
• Don't wait until the last day. Do this in the first week after receiving your passport.
• Keep the confirmation indefinitely - this is proof of your integrity.
• If you missed the deadline, don’t panic, but don’t wait any longer. Apply now and get risk advice.
• We also notify the residence permit. Remember this rule once and for all.

Bottom line

Notifying the Ministry of Internal Affairs about second citizenship is an administrative formality, not an obstacle. 60 days, package of two documents, free submission through State Services. The main thing is not to ignore or put off.

If you are just planning to get a second passport and want to understand how this will affect your situation in Russia, come for a consultation. We will analyze your situation specifically, without general words.