Russian Passport Renewal

[slavrina 0]

I need to renew my Russian passport.I read a post about www.russianpassportservice.com. Did anybody use it?Can you recommend anything else? Because going to the Russian Embassy in DC is really complicated and more expensive than using www.russianpassportservice.com.

[Neonred 3,600]

I need to renew my Russian passport.I read a post about www.russianpassportservice.com. Did anybody use it?Can you recommend anything else? Because going to the Russian Embassy in DC is really complicated and more expensive than using www.russianpassportservice.com.

My wife renewed her passport last year by mail through the Russian embassy in DC. Wasn't difficult or expensive as I remember, but took a while.

[akdiver 3]

My wife renewed her passport last year by mail through the Russian embassy in DC. Wasn't difficult or expensive as I remember, but took a while.

Mine did mine through the mail, through the consulate in Seattle. They changed the name on her passport and renewed it for a new 5 year period. Was very easy to do.

My understanding though is that they have changed the requirements and you have to drop off and pick up in person. If that is really true, I don't see how these passport services can help you - unless the requirement does not apply to such services (which wouldn't surprise me at all - someone is getting kickbacks), in which case, they would be well worth using for many people (like us, who would have to buy 2 plane tickets to Seattle).

[Oksana81 0]

My wife renewed her passport last year by mail through the Russian embassy in DC. Wasn't difficult or expensive as I remember, but took a while.

Mine did mine through the mail, through the consulate in Seattle. They changed the name on her passport and renewed it for a new 5 year period. Was very easy to do.

My understanding though is that they have changed the requirements and you have to drop off and pick up in person. If that is really true, I don't see how these passport services can help you - unless the requirement does not apply to such services (which wouldn't surprise me at all - someone is getting kickbacks), in which case, they would be well worth using for many people (like us, who would have to buy 2 plane tickets to Seattle).

I heard that a number of firms do it even after new laws went into effect. My guess would be they do it using a "trust letter" - doverennost' (not sure of the exact translation into English).

[BTalley 0]

I, too, was told that you had to make an appointment (in Washington for us) to have it done.

But russianpassportservice.com assured me in an e-mail that if I use their company they can handle everything.

Does anyone know the cost of renewing a Russian passport if you do it in person? Cannot find this information anywhere on the embassy website.

It will cost $480 if we use this company in Chicago.

[dardislake 0]

<!--quoteo(post=3502815:date=Nov 18 2009, 09:18 PM:name=akdiver)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (akdiver @ Nov 18 2009, 09:18 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=3502815"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=3502694:date=Nov 18 2009, 05:14 PM:name=Neonred)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Neonred @ Nov 18 2009, 05:14 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=3502694"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->My wife renewed her passport last year by mail through the Russian embassy in DC. Wasn't difficult or expensive as I remember, but took a while.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->Mine did mine through the mail, through the consulate in Seattle. They changed the name on her passport and renewed it for a new 5 year period. Was very easy to do.

My understanding though is that they have changed the requirements and you have to drop off and pick up in person. If that is really true, I<b> don't see how these passport services can help you </b>- unless the requirement does not apply to such services (which wouldn't surprise me at all - someone is getting kickbacks), in which case, they would be well worth using for many people (like us, who would have to buy 2 plane tickets to Seattle).

<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->I heard that a number of firms do it even after new laws went into effect. My guess would be they do it using a "trust letter" - doverennost' (not sure of the exact translation into English).

[dardislake 0]

We did it last year - took a trip to Seattle to have it done. I recall around $100 total in 3 money orders. Nice thing about Seattle though - they usually travel around to major cities they handle and let you know when they will be there. About 6 months later they were in Milwaukee and we able to pick up the new passport here.

[GDT 0]

Hi!

Has anybody renewed a Russian international passport lately? I am looking at a couple of companies that provide this service without an embassy visit but I am not sure how legitimate they are. Is it even possible with the current laws to have it done without being there personally?

I am looking at

http://www.russianpassportsandvisas.com/category/passport-services/russian-passport/

and

http://www.russianpassportservice.com/index.html

They both require the power of attorney (doverennost) signed so it makes sense that the personal visit will not be necessary. I just don't want to be scammed. Any info will be greatly appreciated...

Thanks!

[hobbitofohio 10]

So can we used one of these service to renew the passport and not go to the embassy?

[ONA 133]

Does anyone know the cost of renewing a Russian passport if you do it in person? Cannot find this information anywhere on the embassy website.

From the Embassy website:

“Money-order”, выписанный на “Russian Embassy”, на сумму 30 долл. за пятилетний паспорт;

“Money-order” в размере 80 долл. - за паспорт нового поколения.

i.e. $30 for a passport, that's going to be valid for 5 years or $80 for a "new generation" passport (valid for 10 years).

I'm getting ready to have my passport renewed too, but I guess I'm lucky, because it takes me about 5 minutes to get from my work to the embassy in DC.