For every lover, the day of starting a family is special and exciting. How exactly to carry it out, everyone chooses differently. Some couples are supporters of a modest holiday and painting with just the two of them. Others cannot imagine a wedding celebration without a Mendelssohn waltz, a large number of guests, and a luxurious celebration, so their option is, of course, a solemn registration of marriage. This is exactly what will be discussed in this article, from which you will learn: the cost of such a procedure, how it goes, what documents are needed to submit an application, and much more.
Required papers
- Passport of a guy and a girl.
- Application for registration from the bride and groom.
It can be filled out online on the State Services website, or by coming in person to the registry office or MFC. If you are marrying a foreign citizen or a minor, then you will have to appear at the registry office, since the rules for submitting documents are slightly different there. - A receipt for payment of the state duty, which currently amounts to 350 rubles.
By filling out an application online on the State Services website, you can pay the fee there, with a 30% discount, which will cost you 245 rubles. - If you have previously been legally married, you must provide a certificate of its dissolution.
- Persons under the age of majority, but who are already 16 years old, under certain circumstances, for example, if the bride is pregnant, will be allowed to sign, after providing a certificate of pregnancy, permission from the parents or guardians of the young citizen, as well as the approval of local authorities.
- Foreigners will need to prepare additional papers: migration card, visa, residence permit, certificate of marital status, as well as divorce, if any. All this must be translated into Russian and certified by a notary.
It is worth knowing that in Russia people of the same sex, relatives, incapacitated and already married people will not be registered.
What is the procedure for state registration of marriage relations in the Russian Federation?
Let's consider how to register the relationship between future spouses. The conclusion of a marriage union between citizens of the Russian Federation consists of several stages:
- Registration in the registry office.
- Submitting an application.
- Familiarization with rights and responsibilities.
- Waiting for registration.
- Marriage ceremony: registration of relationships.
- Drawing up a civil status act.
- Issuance of a marriage certificate.
How to apply?
Before submitting an application, future spouses must register with the registry office. There are 2 options for this:
- online registration through Gosuslugi;
- personal visit to a government agency or MFC.
How to make an appointment?
The preferred method of registration is through the government services portal. Online registration allows you to save on the cost of state fees (the applicant pays 245 rubles instead of 350 at State Services) and waiting in line. How to make an appointment through “State Services” - instructions:
- Login to the state portal.
- Go to the “State registration of marriage” section.
- Click on the “Get service” block.
- Fill in the details. The initiator (one of the citizens) enters personal data and information from documents (passports, SNILS).
- Select a registry office: by place of permanent (temporary) registration or other criteria.
- Decide on the month of the event, date and time.
- If you want to hold a ceremony, go to the appropriate block.
- Fill out the invitation. The SNILS, mail address and telephone number of the second applicant are entered on the card. He must confirm the invitation using the link from the e-mail.
- Pay the state fee. A check is sent to the initiator after confirmation of the entry by a second person.
After paying the state fee, the Civil Registry Office will receive a notification about the registration through “State Services”. If citizens have chosen to personally visit the civil registry office or MFC, they must come to the department with passports (and a divorce certificate, if necessary). The employee will register the application and set the wedding date.
We talked in more detail about how to apply for marriage registration through State Services in a separate article, and here you will learn about how to apply through the MFC.
How long in advance do I need to provide the paper?
Article 27 of the Federal Law of November 15, 1997 No. 143-FZ (as amended on December 27, 2018) “On Civil Status Acts” states that citizens of the Russian Federation have the right to become spouses a month (minimum) after filing an application .
If citizens have not registered a relationship within 12 months from the date of submission of the application, the application is cancelled.
An exception is cases in which the marriage is registered on the day the application is submitted (Article 11 of the Family Code of the Russian Federation):
- Pregnancy.
- Birth of a child.
- Threat to the life of the bride or groom.
On what days?
Submission of documents for marriage is allowed on working days of the civil registry office. In most government agencies, Saturday and Sunday are considered days off. On Saturday, the registry office holds a ceremonial registration, but applications are not accepted. It is recommended to check the work schedule of the selected government agency on the Civil Registry Office website, the State Services portal, or during a personal visit.
Is it necessary for both participants in this process to be present?
According to Article 27 of the Federal Law of November 15, 1997 No. 143-FZ (as amended on December 27, 2018) “On Civil Status Acts,” marriage in the registry office is possible only in the personal presence of both spouses . If there is a good reason, citizens have the right to legalize relationships in a hospital, home or other place after agreement with an employee of a government agency.
Submission of an application is allowed by one of the participants in the process. To do this, it is necessary to notarize the signature of the other person on the marriage application and provide a certificate confirming the reason for the absence of the other citizen.
A notarized document and certificate are provided by the second applicant, who must have a civil passport and an application for marriage with him.
Can trusted representatives act for future spouses?
Only future spouses have the right to submit an application and make an appointment at State Services using their personal accounts. Signing up for registration at the registry office (in person) is allowed by one of the spouses if there is a notarized application signed by the other person, a copy of his passport and a certificate of the reason for absence.
Familiarization of future spouses with rights and responsibilities
In the process of submitting documents for marriage registration, the leading employee of the registry office introduces the future spouses to the rights and responsibilities. The employee clarifies whether the expression of will of both citizens is voluntary, and whether there are reasons why state registration of the marriage may not take place. The future spouses are told how the wedding ceremony is going and what time they should come to the registry office.
The familiarization process takes no more than 5 minutes. If the newlyweds submitted an application online, through State Services, this does not affect the procedure: registration occurs in the general manner. In any case, the registry office employee informs citizens of their rights and obligations .
Waiting for registration
Registration, according to Article 27 of the Federal Law “On Acts of Civil Status,” is possible no earlier than a month after submitting documents to the civil registry office. Exceptionally, deadlines should be clarified at the time of submitting documents.
Citizens of the Russian Federation have the right to submit an application for marriage no later than 12 months from the date of submission of certificates to the authorized body.
The marriage process in Russia
The ceremony takes place in the government agency chosen by the couple. It is possible to carry out on-site registration by agreement with the marriage agency and registry office employees .
If spouses have valid reasons (serious injury, illness, stay in prison) not to attend the selected department, they have the right to sign in a place convenient for them. The condition is discussed with the registry office employee at least 10 days before the ceremony. Future spouses must have a document confirming the validity of moving the place of state painting.
The Federal Law “On Acts of Civil Status” and the Family Code of the Russian Federation do not indicate that witnesses are required when concluding a marriage. Their absence is not a reason why a marriage cannot take place. The personal presence of both participants in the marriage is a mandatory condition (Article 27 of the Federal Law “On Acts of Civil Status”).
From our separate publications you can also find out whether it is possible to register a marriage outside your place of registration and what are the features of registering abroad.
Drawing up a civil status act
The process takes place if both applicants have passports based on applications for marriage (Article 7 of the Federal Law “On Civil Status Acts”). The partners read the application and put their signatures. The document must bear the seal of the organization and the signature of an authorized person.
Obtaining a certificate
How is a certificate issued confirming that Russian citizens have entered into a marriage union? A document confirming the fact of registration of the marriage with the registry office is issued in a single copy at the end of the ceremony.
There is no need to pay again to obtain the certificate: the cost of the state fee (245 or 350 rubles) includes the issuance of the document.
The procedure for registering a marriage at the registry office should not be a problem for future spouses who have prepared for the ceremony. They can become newlyweds a month after submitting the application; in some cases, accelerated registration is allowed. Citizens of the Russian Federation have the right to register a marriage within 12 months from the date of contacting the government agency.
Submitting an application
According to the law, documents for registration will be considered after submission within one month. Only after this time will your ceremony take place. There are a number of reasons why you can count on faster registration, even on the day the papers are presented:
- if the girl is pregnant , especially in the later stages or a child has already been born. It is necessary to present a certificate;
- if the guy received a summons from the military registration and enlistment office , which must be brought to the registry office to speed up the registration process;
- if one of their future spouses is seriously ill . You also need a doctor's certificate;
- someone is sent on a long business trip . Bring proof from your place of work.
But remember that in this case the ceremony is unlikely to be solemn.
Do you need rings?
It must be said that according to current legislation, newlyweds can do without rings. In other words, everything depends on their desire. You can, of course, exchange rings, but often there is simply not enough time for this. This ritual can be performed later, for example, after leaving the office. If an evening banquet is planned in a restaurant, then the rings can be exchanged there. It will look interesting and presentable, and the ancient tradition will be respected.
Modern youth, when getting married, do not strive to observe all the customs that have developed over centuries. However, the exchange of rings remains a mandatory attribute. Without it, not a single celebration takes place. After submitting the application, the future spouses choose rings in a jewelry store. They pay attention to their appearance, size, weight. Some people prefer a classic engagement ring, while others choose one with a pattern or an expensive stone.
Summarizing all of the above, we can conclude: non-ceremonial registration will require small financial costs, but will look less solemn. All other ceremonies have no differences.
Price
It is difficult to say definitively how much the registration in question will cost you. After all, everything depends on the choice of outfits of the future spouses, how many guests will be invited, what they will arrive with, and whether a photographer and cameraman are needed. And also prices vary in different cities of the country. The only thing is that all lovers, regardless of place of residence, must pay a state fee in the amount of 350 rubles, as mentioned above.
Employees of government agencies, including registry offices, do not have the right to charge a couple any amount for the ceremony. An exception may be cases if you wish to order a full-time photographer, for whose services, of course, you will have to pay.
But in Wedding Palaces, things are completely different, and in some it is common practice to collect a certain amount from the newlyweds for providing some services. So it’s best to find out the price of your chosen Palace right there, by going there in advance or calling.
How it differs from a formal one: pros and cons
Among the objective advantages of the simplified ceremony are:
- budget , you will have to spend money exclusively on state fees;
- efficiency - just 15 minutes, and you are already married;
- the ability to reschedule the celebration itself to any day and arrange an off-site registration in a beautiful place in nature, a banquet in a cozy restaurant, or go on a trip;
- lack of regulations on appearance or the presence of accessories (you can even do without rings);
- no difficulties with accommodating guests if you are not getting married in your hometown;
- informality , if for some reason you do not like the traditional wedding fuss.
However, it cannot be said that a non-ceremonial ceremony is without its disadvantages:
- many newlyweds lack the touchingness of the moment; the procedure seems too formal, crumpled, and uninteresting;
- elderly conservative relatives will definitely not approve of this option;
- and other acquaintances may begin to whisper about the reasons for the lack of a magnificent celebration;
- lovely traditions, gifts, congratulations - all this will also be cut down, but only if you do not plan to organize a celebration for friends and relatives later.
If you want the painting procedure to be seen by all your loved ones, the event will be surrounded by festive surroundings, music, the registry office employees will say prepared congratulations, and the bride and groom will look like in the picture, then it is better to choose a solemn option.
If you prefer warm words from loved ones rather than from strangers, do not want formalities, do not perceive the registry office as a place where you can sincerely have fun, or are simply going to save money and time, then your option is a simplified procedure.
How and on what days does it take place?
In the Russian Federation, holiday registration with guests takes place only on Fridays and Saturdays. But as for Wedding Palaces, you need to find out specifically about each one, since it is possible to hold a ceremony there on any other day, for example, on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.
In no case should you be late to the registry office, because there will probably be people who want to sign for you. It is recommended to arrive 15-20 minutes before the appointed time. Please give your passports and rings to an employee before checking in. This is usually done by witnesses, if there are any. In the remaining time, you can take photos, fix the girls’ makeup, and so on.
The guests will be invited into the hall first, then the heroes of the occasion will enter the hall to the tune of Mendelssohn's Waltz and stand in the middle of the hall. Previously, witnesses were required to go along with those getting married. The man should stand next to the bride, and the girl should stand next to the groom. But lately this is just a tradition and they may well take place along with the rest of the invitees.
Next, the employee will read a beautiful introductory speech and ask you about your voluntary consent to this union. After the cherished “Yes”, the couple needs to confirm their desire with signatures in the registration book of acts of civil affairs.
In some registry offices you will be asked to sit at a table, while in others this is done while standing.
Then the lovers put rings on each other, and the registrar declares them husband and wife, and to applause they make their first kiss in legal marriage.
At the end of the ceremony, the newlyweds are presented with a marriage certificate - their first family document. In some registry offices and wedding palaces, there is a widespread tradition of the spouses dancing, right in the registration hall, this happens most often after receiving the paper confirming the conclusion of the union.
At the end of the official part, the newly-made husband and wife are congratulated by their relatives and friends. The spouses are the first to leave the hall, followed by everyone else.
According to tradition, parents are the first to congratulate their children, and then the guests.
It is worth considering that it is not recommended to linger at the registry office, and it is better to take all the photos within the walls of the establishment before the official part, since then other couples and their invitees will be there.
About divorces
Divorce is the most painful topic for civil registry office workers. Sometimes the divorce is filed by the same person who registered the marriage. Often the collapse of a family can be predicted in advance. Civil registry office workers have a “trained eye”; they can determine which couple will live together through thick and thin, and which will divorce in six months.
“It can be seen in relation to each other even at the stage of submitting documents. If the bride and groom behave disrespectfully towards each other, get angry, sit with gloomy faces, most likely they will not live together for long,” says Tatyana.
The man and woman who are made for each other are also visible. They are often similar in appearance, communicate in the same way, even their facial expressions are the same. These people come back a year later to register their birth with faces as happy as at a wedding.
Civil registry office workers also notice when a couple comes to get a divorce in the heat of the moment and the family can still be saved. Sometimes life itself tells such people: “It’s not worth it, think again.” For example, spouses forget their marriage certificate, they do not have enough money for state fees, or the bank is closed. Another option is that they get worried and make mistakes in filling out the papers.
AGN "Moscow"
“I always feel that there is still love. Intuitively. It’s also obvious when people are indifferent to each other. They behave very calmly,” says Natalya.
Difference from non-ceremonial
For those who are still thinking about which ceremony to choose, we have prepared the main differences between ceremonial registration and non-ceremonial registration:
- difference in time. A modest painting will take you about 15 minutes, but with a celebration it will take at least half an hour;
- the festive one will take place in the large hall, the simple one - in an ordinary small office;
- a solemn one can be organized in the beautiful Wedding Palace, a non-solemn one only within the walls of the registry office;
- having organized a luxurious ceremony, you can invite about twenty people, and even more to a huge hall, but for an ordinary painting you will have to come together, the rest are unlikely to be allowed in, since there is too little space in the office;
- solemn days are mainly Friday and Saturday, and non-solemn days are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday;
- simple registration is not accompanied by beautiful poems and words, Mendelssohn's waltz, young people's dance, music, you don't even have to bring rings with you, but with a solemn ceremony everything is, accordingly, the opposite is true;
- For painting together, it is appropriate to dress modestly; casual clothing is also quite suitable; for a festive occasion, a more formal look is required;
- with a non-ceremonial registration, there will be an informal atmosphere that will appeal to reserved people who do not like increased attention and looks from the outside. Lovers who are ready to shout to the whole world about their love and want to share their joy with everyone most often choose the solemn option.
If we consider this issue from the legal side, then there is no difference at all from the ceremony you have chosen. After all, in both cases they will give exactly the same marriage certificates.
Remember which registration to choose is a decision only for the future husband and wife. We wish you a beautiful wedding and a long family life.
On-site marriage registration
Andrey and Tatyana chose to register their marriage on location so that absolutely all the guests could share with them the most important moment in their lives. Arriving on a boat from their wedding trip, Tanya and Andrey, in the presence of all their guests, took vows of fidelity and love, signed and exchanged wedding rings. And our wedding videographer preserved for them the happy moments of the ceremonial registration and the warm words of the parents welcoming the newlyweds with a loaf of bread and champagne for a new nourishing and sweet life.
Important points
After applying to the registry office with an application, the marriage registration takes place within a month, however, in the presence of social, domestic, personal and family circumstances, the marriage can be registered earlier or later, as well as on the day the application is submitted to the registry office. Special life situations may include:
- pregnancy;
- birth of a child;
- risks associated with a threat to the life or health of one of the future spouses and other circumstances.
A request to change the period for registering a marriage (increase or decrease) must be confirmed by relevant documents: a certificate from a medical institution, a certificate from the place of work about a business trip, about performing a special and dangerous task, and others.
The union is registered on a certain designated day in an official form, with or without a solemn procedure, which requires the personal presence of persons entering into a marriage relationship. It is not allowed to register a marriage:
- in absentia;
- through third parties (using a power of attorney).
The previously existing institution of witnesses is currently not mandatory. Also, the absence of wedding rings is not an obstacle to consummating a marriage. At the time of filing the application, the issue of changing or leaving the surname of the future wife or husband is also decided.
The consequence of changing the surname is the need to replace all personal official documents (passports, international passports, work records, driver's licenses, work passes, insurance policies and other documents).
