Requesting a Russian birth certificate while out of the country

[CarlE 0]

Has anyone here had experience with requesting a Russian birth certificate while being outside of Russia? I've heard some horror stories about having to wait 7 months (was requested through the ZAGS of another FSU country), and other long times. Has anyone requested one through a Russian embassy or consulate? How about requesting it directly from an office or official by mail?

[Satellite 1]

According to the Russian Consulate website here in San Francisco it costs $50 to get a document from the Russian archives and can take between 1 to 6 months. So the horror stories must be correct.

[Mew 0]

Have you checked this: http://travel.state.gov/visa/reciprocity/C...er/R/Russia.htm ?

Not sure it helps.

Also, from the Russian Embassy website (was I on the right track?):

Obtaining of Documents on Demand

Procedure for obtaining of documents on demand:

The obtaining of documents from the Russian Federation on demand is carried out through the consular establishment in the consular district where the applicant resides (see Map of Consular Districts ).

Documents to be furnished to Russian Federation consulates for obtaining documents on demand:

* Two copies of the questionnaire filled out in Russian;

* Declaration in optional form regarding the obtaining of a document on demand;

* Consular fee of $ 60 (for Russian citizens) and $120 for non-Russian citizens.

Notes

It is recommended that the required documents be sent as registered letters with a stamped, self-addressed envelope enclosed. The postal receipt should be kept until the document to be obtained on demand is returned or the consul&rsquos response is received.

In cases in which disputed or unclear matters arise, communication with the consular establishment in the appropriate consular district is recommended.

Questionnaire can be obtained at the Consular Division. Phone: (202) 939-8914 (9am - 12 pm).

Edited September 5, 2006 by Mew

[type2negative 0]

Has anyone here had experience with requesting a Russian birth certificate while being outside of Russia? I've heard some horror stories about having to wait 7 months (was requested through the ZAGS of another FSU country), and other long times. Has anyone requested one through a Russian embassy or consulate? How about requesting it directly from an office or official by mail?

They do this stuff at the consulate, But it might take some time. Delay is usually on the russian side as consulate is very professional and businesslike (pay more - get it faster). If you have somebody there to take care of it - That might help a lot (if they will go to zags and request a certified copy).

[akdiver 3]

Much better to do this kind of stuff BEFORE leaving the country of origin.

Cheers!

AKDiver

[CarlE 0]

Much better to do this kind of stuff BEFORE leaving the country of origin.

Cheers!

AKDiver

Agreed, although sometimes it can't be helped. For example, growing up in a different country than the one you were born in, and having problems getting people to accept your Soviet birth certificate (no apostilles back then).

Has anyone used the Horos firm? (www.horos.ru) They look professional and can do what we need, but I'm looking for some other experiences with them to get a better idea of their track record.

[timelena 0]

I have some experience with getting Birth Certificate. Well, actually, my parents have since it was 10 years ago

I was born in Moscow, but 10 years ago we were living in Uzbekistan. My parents had to ask their friends in Moscow to go to ZAGS and get a replacement copy. As far as I remember, it did not take them very long, and it was not that expensive either. And they actually issued the replacement BC to friends! (I am not sure, probably me parents wrote some kind of DOVERENNOST').

Good luck!

[Neonred 3,648]

Much better to do this kind of stuff BEFORE leaving the country of origin.

Cheers!

AKDiver

Agreed, although sometimes it can't be helped. For example, growing up in a different country than the one you were born in, and having problems getting people to accept your Soviet birth certificate (no apostilles back then).

Has anyone used the Horos firm? (www.horos.ru) They look professional and can do what we need, but I'm looking for some other experiences with them to get a better idea of their track record.

We used this service in Moscow to have her Kygrz police certificate translated. I have been in their office...not much to look at, but they did a fine job and had it done the next day. We had no problems with it at the embassy and (for us with pick up in Moscow) it was not very expensive.