On January 1st, 2025, the Law on the Legalization of Russian and Foreign Official Documents comes into force
On January 1st, 2025, the Federal Law No. 145-FZ dated 22.06.2024 “On the Legalization of Russian and Foreign Official Documents and on the Request for Personal Documents” (Law No. 145-FZ) comes into force.
The Law No. 145-FZ consolidates and supplements disparate norms on the legalization of official documents and the request for personal documents from already existing regulations (in particular, the Federal Law No. 154-FZ dated 05.07.2010 “Consular Charter of the Russian Federation”, the Administrative Regulations approved by the Order of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia dated 18.06.2012 No. 9470), as well as replaces obsolete regulatory acts in this field (in particular, the USSR Law No. 2261-1 dated 24.06.1991 “On the Procedure for Transportation, Sending and Requesting Personal Documents of Soviet and Foreign Citizens and Apatrides from the USSR abroad”).
The Law No. 145-FZ is relevant for those who plan to submit Russian official documents abroad or foreign official documents in Russia in cases where it comes to the countries with which Russia does not have an international treaty on the abolition of the legalization requirement (The Hague Convention of October 5, 1961, bilateral international treaties).
Legalization is the authentication of the signature or the authority of the person who signed the official document, as well as the authenticity of the seal or stamp with which the submitted document is sealed. The documents will be legalized by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its territorial authorities. They will also legalize foreign official documents drawn up by foreign consular institutions. The legalization of foreign official documents abroad is carried out by consular officials. No electronic procedure for this service is foreseen.
The Law No. 145-FZ also establishes the procedure for requesting personal documents from Russia and foreign countries. It will be carried out at the request of Russian citizens, foreigners or apatrides. Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, its territorial authorities and consular officials will assist in requesting a number of documents (for example, documents on state registration of acts of civil status, on education, on training, on work record and work activity). At the same time, identity cards, as well as military tickets and work record books cannot be requested from Russia.
The Law No. 145-FZ also repeals the currently obsolete ban on the transportation and transfer of work record books, military tickets and identity cards abroad and the obligation to hand them over to the competent authorities when traveling abroad for permanent residence.
Mosgo & Partners lawyers follow attentively all changes in order to suggest solutions that meet the interests and needs of our clients.
