General

What should you do before moving so you don’t have to return to the countries you are leaving to obtain missing documents?
 
 Make sure you have all personal documents or their equivalents (for example, a court decision on divorce replaces a divorce certificate):

• Passport;

• Birth certificate;

• Marriage certificate;

• Death certificate;

• Divorce certificate;

• Diplomas;

• School certificates;

• Certificates of changes to identifying details (change of first name or surname, renunciation of patronymic);

• Extracts from the pension register (may be needed when confirming work experience);

• A certificate stating whether or not you have a criminal record is not always required, only if, after moving, you apply for a temporary residence permit or residence permit.

Such documents issued by government institutions must be certified with an apostille in the country of issue. Documents and stamps on them must be legible, and all changes to identifying details must be confirmed by certificates documenting those changes.

What is an Apostille?
 

The following documents do not require apostille certification :

• Real estate sale agreement;

• Driver’s license;

• Bank statements (for example, as proof of the source of funds);

• Tax authority statements (for example, to prove work experience as an individual entrepreneur if there is no work experience as an employee);

• Foreign citizens also need a visa to enter the Russian Federation