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Passport renewal in Russia

Written from published rules on 27 August 2026. Not monitored for changes since. A starting point, not official advice — confirm anything that matters with Министерство внутренних дел Российской Федерации (Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation) within Russia, or Russian Embassies and Consulates abroad..

Renewing a Russian passport, also known as an international passport (заграничный паспорт), typically involves preparing required documents, submitting an application, and attending an appointment at a Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) office within Russia or a Russian consulate/embassy abroad.

Your timing

It is generally advisable to begin the passport renewal process at least 3-6 months before the current passport's expiry date. This allows ample time to gather necessary documents, secure an appointment (which can have waiting lists, especially at consulates), and account for the standard processing times, which can vary significantly.

Start 90 days ahead

This lead time accounts for typical processing durations within Russia (e.g., up to 1 month when applying at the place of permanent registration, or up to 3 months if applying elsewhere) and potentially longer periods when applying through consulates abroad, in addition to time needed for appointments and document preparation.

The process

  1. 1Determine the application location: Applicants residing in Russia apply through MVD offices (usually via Gosuslugi portal for initial application), while those abroad apply through the nearest Russian embassy or consulate.
  2. 2Choose passport type: Decide between a 5-year passport (старого образца) or a 10-year biometric passport (нового поколения/биометрический).
  3. 3Gather required documents: This typically includes the expiring passport, internal Russian passport (if applicable), application form, photographs, and documents confirming any changes in personal data (e.g., marriage certificate, if name changed).
  4. 4Complete the application form: Fill out the application form accurately, often online through the Gosuslugi portal for domestic applications, or specific consular forms for applications abroad.
  5. 5Pay the state fee: Pay the applicable state duty (госпошлина) for the passport type chosen. Payment methods and amounts should be confirmed with the specific MVD office or consulate.
  6. 6Submit documents and attend appointment: Submit the completed application and supporting documents. This usually requires an in-person visit to an MVD office or a consulate for identity verification, fingerprinting (for biometric passports), and submission of originals.
  7. 7Collect the new passport: Once processing is complete, collect the new passport at the same location where the application was submitted, presenting proof of identity.

What to bring

  • Existing international passport (заграничный паспорт)
  • Internal Russian passport (паспорт гражданина Российской Федерации) (if available and applicable)
  • Application form (заявление-анкета) (completed and printed)
  • Photographs (количество и размер уточнить по месту подачи)
  • Document confirming payment of state fee (квитанция об оплате госпошлины)
  • Documents confirming changes in personal data (e.g., marriage certificate, birth certificate, if applicable)
  • Military service card (военный билет) or relevant certificate for male citizens aged 18-27 (if applicable)

Who handles it

Министерство внутренних дел Российской Федерации (Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation) within Russia, or Russian Embassies and Consulates abroad.

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The state fee (госпошлина) for a new Russian international passport varies depending on the passport type (5-year vs. 10-year biometric) and the age of the applicant. Specific amounts can be found on the Gosuslugi portal for applications within Russia or on the websites of individual Russian consulates for applications abroad. For example, as of recent information, the fee for an adult's 10-year biometric passport in Russia is 5,000 rubles.

What commonly goes wrong

  • Ensure all fields on the application form are filled out correctly and completely, as even minor errors can lead to delays or rejection.
  • Verify the specific photo requirements (size, background, expression) for the application location, as these can be strict.
  • For applicants abroad, processing times at consulates can be considerably longer than within Russia due to logistical considerations.
  • Always confirm the current state duty amount and accepted payment methods with the specific MVD office or consulate before your appointment.

Sources

Other documents in Russia

Passport renewal in other countries

Often renewed together

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