ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Russia, Ukraine and Belarusdivorce papers
QUOTE (mox @ Jan 6 2008, 09:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
It may be a case that nowhere in Russia is her marriage recorded, but Russia *does* recognize marriages performed in the US. Hence, while Russia may not realize they are recognizing her marriage, they do recognize her marriage. (Gads I hope that made sense.) So it would be a good idea for her to have valid proof that the marriage is dissolved. I would definitely get an apostilized copy of the divorce certificate before leaving the US in case it ever became an issue. If you are going back to Russia forever, it may just sit and collect dust for the rest of your life. But it's good to have just in case.
Using your same logic, wouldn't you agree that Russia would also recognize her divorce as well as her marriage in the US even if no "legally recognized" document exists? I think it works both ways using your logic. It would be silly to say they "recognize" the marriage and not the divorce?

Edited by Satellite, 07 January 2008 - 12:05 PM.

SatelliteMaleRussia2008-01-07 12:03:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarusdivorce papers
QUOTE (slim @ Jan 5 2008, 11:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Did you ever even have a "Russian" marriage document?

If not, then you may not need anything. If you were never "technically" married in Russia (because Russia doesn't recognize outside documents and even though you've been to the U.S. and had other documents and etc., etc., you still were "Russian" and "single" the whole time) then maybe you don't need to do anything either.

However, if you registered through the consulate or had your passport amended or anything like that, you'll probably have to retrace all your steps and get it either apostiled or worked through the consulate.
I tend to agree with Slim. I doubt anyone on here who married in the US bothered to return to Russia to change their internal passport to reflect the marriage. And even if you made a passport amendment and registered, all you have to do is unregistered, and wait for your passport to expire. The new passport won't come with the amendment. At least that is what I think will happen when my wife goes to renew hers and they'll make us pay for it again.
Also, if you want to bother with the official legal document, get the divorce degree, then get it apostilled, then get it all translated into Russian, and finally submit it to the Russian consulate for certification, which involves them placing a seal and knitting all the documents together. Now you have a legal document that is good in Russia!
SatelliteMaleRussia2008-01-06 11:00:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusWrong info from the lawyer?
Also if you have been convicted of any crimes of moral turpitude or have outstanding warrants for you arrest that have not been brought to the immigration officials, those can come up on the radar placing you in exclusion proceedings where you have much less rights and remedies instead of being placed in removal proceedings if you were caught while inside the US and not seeking admission as in the former.
This attorney is just trying to get her $100 consultation out of those folks who have had past overstay issues or criminal issues. You might be surprised just how many this applies to. I have worked for an immigration office and most of our clients weren't clean straight forward cases, almost everyone has a problem with a prior over stay or criminal activity.
SatelliteMaleRussia2008-01-10 11:45:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusDual citizenship
QUOTE (Bobalouie @ Dec 27 2007, 02:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
My understanding is that neither Russia nor the US recognizes dual citizenship. Each one requires you to renounce the other. I don't know about the notarized letter.
Everyone that I know has not renounced their Russian citizenship when naturalizing. However, if you try to obtain Russian citizenship while you are abroad they will make you renounce your US citizenship. I am not sure if are in Russia and try to gain their citizenship while there. And still that was the rule only as of 2002. Prior to 2002, people born in the former Soviet Union could simply pay a fine and get their citizenship back at the consulate abroad without doing anything special.

As for military service everything you said is true. However, based on the consulate website a child can be made a citizen and then choose not keep it at age 18. the exact age of compulsory military service. Or he can keep the citizenship and just (1) not visit Russia during the compulsory age, (2) bribe his way out of it, or (3) bribe a medical doctor that he is unable to perform due to his mental or physical condition.

http://www.consulrus...org/citizen.htm
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-12-27 11:03:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusCzar Putin?
QUOTE (seanconneryii @ Dec 28 2007, 08:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
As I watch Vladimir Putin morph into part Stalin and part Czar Nicholas, I wonder what he might do to disrupt the exodus of Russian women to the USA and other western countries? Frankly, I am nervous about him and his unpredictable ways.
What Putin and Zhirinovsky should strive to do is raise the standard of living for all Russians and not just those in Moscow. If they accomplish that the foreigners won't be as attractive. Most Russians ladies find Russian men much more physically attractive and culturally closer to the heart then their foreign counterpart. It just the financial and political turmoil / uncertaintity standing in the way.
Of course they can always limit the amount of people who enter and leave Russia but that will slow down economic progress, so it's not worth doing.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-12-28 13:04:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusDoes My Wife Need a Visa To Travel Back Home?
Solution:
I think to solve this problem once in for all is to have the child obtain his own separate Russian and US passport. Have the child registered at the nearest Russian consulate in the US. That solves your registration issues. Have the mother do the same. Also have your appostilled letter for the purpose of giving the mother permission to travel with the child without you.
With that in order you can now enter and exist Russia on a Russian passport with no visas and enter and exit the US on a US passport accordingly.
SatelliteMaleRussia2008-01-13 15:52:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusDoes My Wife Need a Visa To Travel Back Home?
QUOTE (Chris Parker @ Jan 12 2008, 01:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
No U.S. or Russian visa can be issued to dual citizen; he must enter & exit the U.S. with a U.S. passport and enter & exit Russia with a Russian passport (or with his parent on his parent's Russian passport).
The problem the OP might be referring to usually occurs in situations where the child is born in Russia to a US citizen father and a Russian Citizen mother. The father files for a report of a birth abroad and the child gets his US citizenship and passport in rather short order. The Russian authorities on the other hand drag their feet in issuing either a separate passport or writing the child into the mother's passport. The father then wants to take the child back to the US. Most commonly for proper medical care. What the Russian authorities say is that the child cannot exit Russia on his US passport without first obtaining a Russian EXIT visa. If the child gets the Russian passport or is officially written into the mother's passport and leaving with his mother he will of course be able to exit Russia on that.
Now a child born in the US of a Russian Citizen mother doesn't automatically become a Russian citizen. The mom is going to have to jump through the hoops of getting all that setup. If she does not, then the child can enter Russia on his US passport with a Russian visa.
If the mother did jump through all the hoops and this child is indeed a dual citizen, then he will be able to enter and exit Russia on his Russian passport and or through mom and enter the US on his US passport.
SatelliteMaleRussia2008-01-13 02:14:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusDoes My Wife Need a Visa To Travel Back Home?
Just one question here:
Is the child a Russian citizen to begin with? I imagine he is since he is listed on the mother's passport. But if he was born in the US I hope you went through the official steps of getting Russian citizenship for him. Just hand writing the child into the Russian mother's passport won't do the trick.

Edited by Satellite, 11 January 2008 - 10:01 PM.

SatelliteMaleRussia2008-01-11 22:00:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusFree calls to Russia
QUOTE (Blues Fairy @ Jan 14 2008, 12:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I'm using Skype to talk with my friends. Totally free if installed on both ends, + video chats! Rate to landline phones = 2 cents per minute (Moscow and St.Pete).
Problem with Skype is that is requires internet and preferably high speed internet. In Tomsk, it is available by the megabyte. In other words about $1 per megabyte. Not very free in my mind. For some reason, Russians haven't figured out flat rate internet, at least not in any places I have been. Sending voice back in forth does eat up bandwidth.
SatelliteMaleRussia2008-01-14 16:38:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusFree calls to Russia
QUOTE (Chuckles @ Jan 14 2008, 08:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Anyway, the first 90 days are free... upon first registration... think about that for a few minutes and I think you will understand how to have free calls forever. Unless they changed that policy, of course.
We did this for a while, but as it turns out, each "free" registration is only good for 5 minutes. Used to last for 5 calls and you could talk for 30 minutes or so, but not any more. Also you can only register about 3 accounts per IP per every 1 or 2 weeks. I don't know if that is illegal or not, but it is huge hassle even for me, just for those 5 minutes per call. So we bought the 90 days, which is pretty decent.
SatelliteMaleRussia2008-01-14 12:05:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusFree calls to Russia
QUOTE (Chuckles @ Jan 11 2008, 07:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
http://www.freecall.com requires no pre-existing VOIP service. It is only free for land-lines, and only for 90 days free to Russia. But there are ways around that...
This too is not really free. You have to buy €10 plus a processing fee of €0.50, which roughly comes out to $15. That will give you the 90 days for free at 300 minutes a week. After the 90 days or any week exceeding 300 minutes the account starts getting used up at their standard rate. But it is the best thing I can find and my wife is on it. Only we went through http://www.voipcheap.com which is identical to the website you posted.
SatelliteMaleRussia2008-01-13 02:21:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusFree calls to Russia
QUOTE (Emo @ Jan 11 2008, 08:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
http://flashphone.ru/en/main
This only works if you have a VOIP service to begin with. I could not get this thing to dial anywhere just from the internet. I do not have any VOIP service at home. Likewise it this service simply routes through your existing VOIP and you will be charged by their rates. That is not exactly free.
SatelliteMaleRussia2008-01-11 22:22:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusJAN 9 is the big day
QUOTE (slim @ Jan 15 2008, 10:13 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Please expand more on this "I told my wife" and "that was our understanding." Right about now, you're my hero! To be able to tell your wife something and achieve an "understanding," man, that's priceless. Please share with the forum just how you did that. Oh, did you have to do it in Russian?
My wife and I only speak Russian in the home with minor exceptions of course concerning school or something that was said by a third party.
As for what I said, I said it back in 2003 and in 2004 on my only and probably last trips to Russia. I have quite the reputation on here for criticizing all of Russia's faults so I have absolutely no desire to live or even visit there.
There are so many better places to go on vacation then there, Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii, etc...
And I simply told her just as plainly as I retold it on here, I am not moving there no matter what, even if it means the end of the relationship. If the relationship is going to happen it will happen here. And that is where we are today. Not sure what was so hard to get. And I think she has accepted what I have been saying for the last 5 years on the topic of moving to Russia. Otherwise she'd be out of here, right? Her act of staying is acquiescence to the idea.
SatelliteMaleRussia2008-01-15 17:00:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusJAN 9 is the big day
QUOTE (Danno @ Jan 14 2008, 11:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Would I have moved to Russia if it were the only way?
Unlike some of the more adventurous and romantic types on here, I was honest from the start. I told my wife I will NEVER move to Russia. And that was our understanding on that subject.
SatelliteMaleRussia2008-01-14 16:42:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarusmarriage certificate
QUOTE (apgk @ Jan 22 2008, 11:26 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
No - I got an original marriage certificate - we applied for it when we got married. We got married at the County Clerk's office. We applied for the marriage license and got married the same day - the marriage was solemnized at the County Clerk's office by the office staff. This original marriage license/certificate is from the County Clerk's office with all the seals/stamps, signatures on it.
Well I guess every county clerk is different in California. We did the exact same thing you described and we only got a purple certified copy, the original, I remember seeing it being used for a copy, always stayed with them.
SatelliteMaleRussia2008-01-22 18:23:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarusmarriage certificate
In California, the original always stays with the county clerk and you can only get certified copy from them. The certified copy has a raised seal on it. I imagine if you just make a photocopy of that, it would be insufficient, since it would lack that raised seal.
SatelliteMaleRussia2008-01-22 13:06:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusHow do you know
QUOTE (Bobalouie @ Jan 24 2008, 05:55 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
How have you guys found out if/when the consulate received your petition.
We found out when our case number appeared on the Moscow Embassy website and secondly when the packet arrived from the embassy. If either occur you can be sure they got your case.
SatelliteMaleRussia2008-01-25 13:54:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusInterview - AT LAST
QUOTE (shikarnov @ Jan 23 2008, 04:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Ira's just popped up on the website today for March 17th. We're planning on a May 5 arrival in the states (she's got some family stuff to take care of in April), so the delay will give us plenty of time to deal with any unexpected problems as well.
Usually the unexpected problems occur after arrival, if you know what I mean.
SatelliteMaleRussia2008-01-24 17:51:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusTo Bio Or Not To Bio
QUOTE (NataliaSh @ Feb 4 2008, 02:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I think she should get her new passport in Russia. It will take her maybe just a month, though here it's 6 months!!!
Here in San Francisco the consulate claims it will take 1.5 to 2 months to do. Not six months.
"? ????? ? ??????? ??????????? ????????? ?? ??????????? ????? ????????? ????? ?????????? ?????????? ? 1 ????? 2007 ?. ????????????? ?? 1,5 - 2 ???????. ??????? ????????? ??? ??? ???????????? ????? ???????. "
http://www.consulrussia.org/passport.htm#&...;??
SatelliteMaleRussia2008-02-04 19:24:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusANOTHER POLICE CERTIFICATE QUESTION
QUOTE (CARY @ Feb 12 2008, 10:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Why does everyone think I am from Canada? Is there a Charlotte in Canada?
My apologies. Confused you with:
spauldingjeffrey the poster who hijacked your thread.
But if it turns out you also need a police certificate from Moscow, because your fiancée lived there for more than six months, then my suggestion to the to the other guy would be just as applicable to you.

Edited by Satellite, 13 February 2008 - 11:05 AM.

SatelliteMaleRussia2008-02-13 11:04:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusANOTHER POLICE CERTIFICATE QUESTION
QUOTE (CARY @ Feb 12 2008, 04:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
With all the other upcoming expenses I was hoping to avoid this attorney fee.
If money was truly an issue you should have kept bothering the consulate in Montreal. The interview and the NOA2 can usually be extended. Or as crazy as it sounds using someone like
http://www.russiangi....com/prices.htm per the advice of Slim to have her for $100 pick up the police certificate in Moscow. You'd still have to mail that power of attorney to her, or whatever you are doing with the law firm.
SatelliteMaleRussia2008-02-12 21:24:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusANOTHER POLICE CERTIFICATE QUESTION
QUOTE (spauldingjeffrey @ Feb 8 2008, 11:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The lawyer is very good and honest all she has to do is scan her internal passport and sign a power of attorney thats the 2% of the work. It saved us a lot of headaches. but yes expensive!
Any particular reason the Russian Consulate in Toronto couldn't this for you. See instructions below:
??? ??????? ??????? ?? ?????????? ????????? ?????????? ????????? ?????????:

1. ??????????? ? ?????????????? ??????-????????? (? 2-? ???). ???? ????????? ???????? ????????? ?? ?????, ??????? ??????? ? ?????????? ?????????. ? ????????? ??????? ????? ???????? ? ?????? ????? ?????????? ? ??????;

2. ?????????????? ??????? ? ??? ?????;

3. ??????????? ????????? ????????, ?????????????? ??????????? ?????????? ? ??????;

4. ???????????? ?????? ? ???? "Money-order" ??? ?????????????????? ????, ??????????? ?? ??? "Consulate General of the Russian Federation", ?? 100 ????????? ???????? ?? ??????.

??????????? ????????, ??????????? ???????? ??? ??????????? ? ?????????? ?????????, ? ????????? ? ?????? ??????? ?? ?????????? ????????? ?????? ????????? ?????? ????? ?????????? ? ??????.

????? ????????? ?????? ???????????? ?????????????? ???? ? ??????? 10 ????????? ???????? (??? ?????????? ???????) ??? 40 ????????? ???????? (??? ??????????? ???????) ?? ?????? ???????.

????????? ? ???????? ??? ??? ???????????? ???????????????? ????????????? ????????????? ?? ?????? ???? ????? ??????????? ????????.

?????? ? ??? ??????? ??????? ?? ?????????? ?????????
http://www.toronto.mid.ru/
They claim to do it for just 100 Canadian dollars. Still a better deal than $525 unless you are talking more than 5 reports or unreasonably delay.
SatelliteMaleRussia2008-02-08 21:03:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusANOTHER POLICE CERTIFICATE QUESTION
QUOTE (CARY @ Feb 7 2008, 10:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Well I am bit torn here and will call the embassy to get a final answer. She went to the Rostov Information Center for IA and requested a certificate. My sweetie claims it covers all of Russia, but I just want to make sure....
You need a certificate from every place you lived for more than 6 months since the age of 16. Getting one from one place won't cover the other places.
SatelliteMaleRussia2008-02-08 02:03:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusANOTHER POLICE CERTIFICATE QUESTION
QUOTE (slim @ Jan 28 2008, 07:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Actually, if we did the math on this one, they could throw in about 12 steaks and BJs and still have money left over from that $500. My goodness. Highway robbery!
Completely agree, considering the police certificate is easy to get and is free! However, I noticed the OP had Canada as the country listed. In that case they should have used the nearest Russian consulate to get the certificate. Cost $50 per document / page. Should only be one page + translation costs that you do on your own if any. Downside is the up to 6 months wait. But if one thinks of this before applying for the K1 the wait isn't that bad, since the average self reported K1 takes at least 6 months process to the interview stage.
http://www.visajourn...hp?history=3600
SatelliteMaleRussia2008-01-28 11:03:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusVisiting my honey in Sochi
QUOTE (irish44 @ Feb 9 2008, 03:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
In fact, out of all the days I was there, Irina only translated for us very few times. On our first date, I told Irina that I wanted to be with Tanya on my own.
So did you have to pay for the interpreter to fly with you to Sochi or is your fiancée from Sochi to begin with? Also how does one find a job as an interpreter for these kind of things. My wife is interested. I can do it too if necessary tongue.gif Any kind of interpretation work from emails to dates. It's good money I take it, since wealthy Americans are paying.

Edited by Satellite, 09 February 2008 - 09:49 PM.

SatelliteMaleRussia2008-02-09 21:49:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusVisiting my honey in Sochi
How did your fiancée let you take so many pictures of other girls?
I also remember reading your had an interpreter "Irina" with you? How does that work? Does she like hold the candle and translate when you propose?

Edited by Satellite, 09 February 2008 - 03:25 PM.

SatelliteMaleRussia2008-02-09 15:22:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusAdvance Parole
QUOTE (Chris Parker @ Feb 14 2008, 08:42 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Bear in mind, also, that if you miss your adjustment interview while abroad (presuming your I-130 is approved, or are doing a K-1 adjustment), you'll have to re-file I-485 with a new fee when you return to the U.S. in order to resume AOS and wait all over again for a new interview date.
Wouldn't you be barred from re-entering with your AP if you miss your AOS interview. I was under the assumption that your adjustment of status application is abandoned if you miss the interview and thus you would be denied at the POE when you attempt to present your AP. Thus forcing you to file an I-130 and use K3/CR1 visa if you were a K1 adjuster. K3 folks should be able to enter using their valid 2 year K3 multi-entry visa as originally issued or wait it out for their CR1 interview.
SatelliteMaleRussia2008-02-14 16:31:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusPrenups
QUOTE (Kotenochek @ Sep 12 2007, 03:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
If we have no prenup we share all at half?
In California you will share half of what is earned during the marriage. That means any salary you guys get and anything you do with it will be split in half. However, if he already had property before the marriage or received a gift, inheritance, or devise, you would get none of it!

QUOTE (Turboguy @ Sep 12 2007, 05:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I know more about the laws of Pennsylvania than I do other states. California as I understand it is a common law state and the minute you are married she owns half of what you have. In Pennsylvania they go by the gain in value during the marriage. If you owned a house worth 200,000 when you got married and had $ 50,000 in the bank and you got divorced and the house was now worth 300,000 and you had $ 100,000 in the bank she would be entitled to half the 100,000 gain in the house and half the $ 50,000 increase in the bank account.
AHH! You are confusing folks on here.
California is a COMMUNITY PROPERTY STATE. And Pennsylvania is common law. I don't think in either state the minute you get married the lady gets half. Certainly not in California. In a common law state, they do equitable distribution of all the property at the end of the marriage. They look at bunch of factors including length of marriage, kids, who needs it more, abuse, lifestyle, etc.
In California if nothing was earned during the marriage nothing will be divided.
In California based on the situation you described, if your separate property house was already paid for and it increased in market value the spouse gets nothing if that house was acquired prior to marriage. However, if you made principal payments during marriage, then that part is community property. And any market value increase during marriage for the amount not paid off yet will also go into community property.
As for the bank account, if it is just a savings account and you added money, anything you added from salary during the marriage will be community property and subject to even distribution. If the account consisted entirely of the funds you prior to marriage increased in value due to interest or other market mechanism, the spouse will again get nothing in California, unlike Pennsylvania.

Therefore, if the marriage ends quickly you are going to get almost nothing in California, so the prenup will be needed to make sure the lady at least gets a plane ticket back to Russia.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-09-12 21:10:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusPrenups
QUOTE (Kotenochek @ Sep 12 2007, 02:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I am curious more into kids. Like lets say people have kids and something happens and they divorce how kids are separated here or how it works?
First of all your prenup means almost nothing when it comes to kids. Judges always use the best interest of a child standard. Turboguy is right, that custody usually get awarded to the mom, unless she can be shown to be unfit. But your prenup can only serve as a guide to a judge who may or may not adopt it in his final decree.
For the best advice, take an hour consultation with an attorney here in California.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-09-12 17:46:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusPrenups
QUOTE (Kotenochek @ Sep 12 2007, 12:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
how foreign women are protected here by law.
As you may not know, family law falls completely within the jurisdiction of the states. So to answer you question I need to know what state you are from.
Next, 9 states in the US have community property systems and the rest are common law. Community property states at divorce help those spouses who have acquired property together and divide it equally regardless of who contributed the funds for it and common law states focus on equal distribution with all property before and after marriage being at stake. With a prenup you can choose any system you want and any method of distribution upon divorce.
You mention "foreign woman" as if you already have sights on pleading unconscionability and unenforceability of your prenup if necessary.
Each state has it's procedure on what is needed to make a prenup valid with any woman period. Separate counsel, full understanding, time before marriage, etc.
Likewise, any prenup that encourages divorce, for example you get his house if you divorce, will be void, for violation of public policy.
In terms of federal law you have the violence against women act, where you can maintain your immigration status if your man abuses you but does nothing in terms of property rights except make the man look bad in court when it comes to property distribution.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-09-12 15:14:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusPassport Where does the boy go
QUOTE (1HappyGuy @ Sep 29 2007, 09:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
You have an interesting problem. I know that generally small children are included on the mother's passport until they are old enough to have their own. I assume that you plan a trip back to introduce your child to all the relatives in Russia. My suggestion is to write to our state department and give them the details.
Do you think the state department will make an exception to their rules.
See rule below:
http://travel.state....minors_834.html
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-09-29 22:31:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusPassport Where does the boy go
QUOTE (slim @ Sep 29 2007, 07:31 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thomas, it sounds like you very well could do both. Get the kid an American passport and then on your next trip back to the Motherland, get him added to mama's passport too. I would venture to guess this would be a non-issue for then next 17 years or so.
Slim, I am not sure this can be done in Russia. It's worth a try of course. Keep in mind that if you do nothing in the US, the child will need a visa to Russia if he only has American Citizenship. Then try to get a Russian passport / citizenship in Russia using a translated birth certificate, appostile. consulate certification, etc. might take either a long time or not at all. My suggestion is to get that Russian passport here in the US.

Problem in Reverse:
If the same child is born in Russia, and acquires a US passport through the US consulate, the child would either need to apply for an exit Russian visa (small green paper), or acquire Russian citizenship and have the exit stamp placed in that passport as is done for all other Russian citizenship. Usually acquiring the US citizenship abroad is way faster than getting the Russian citizenship setup, which is why this is an issue for some couples who urgently want to return to the US after the birth of their child.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-09-29 11:31:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusPassport Where does the boy go
QUOTE (lmhvm @ Sep 27 2007, 09:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
would this mean that the child will no longer have US citizenship. i read on one of the other posts that in order to gain Russian citizenship one would have to give up their US citizenship. could you please let me know?
One can lose their US citizenship by making affirmative actions abroad at a US consulate or something on the level of fighting against the US or serving in political office in direct conflict with the US, and then there must be a determination. Even the American Taliban guy from a few years got to keep his citizenship. Therefore, you do not lose US citizenship simply be acquiring another countries citizenship.
As for the second part, your statement is correct but out of context. There are many ways to gain Russian citizenship. Some of the methods require you to bring a piece of paper showing absence of US citizenship. Acquiring Russian Citizenship while under the age of 18 and having at least one Russian Citizen parent does not require that draconian step.
You can read about it below:
http://www.consulrus...org/citizen.htm
There used to be a great English Language website that described the citizenship laws of all countries, but I can't seem to find it anymore. We have the book version in the law library, but its a shame its not online.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-09-27 12:14:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusPassport Where does the boy go
QUOTE (Thomas-n-Elena @ Sep 26 2007, 02:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
My wife and I are trying to figure out whose passport our son should be in? She is getting her passport renewed but Im not sure you can list a US Citizen in a foreign passport. Any thoughts, ideas, notions?
First of all I am pretty sure you cannot just add a person to your US passport. Each child has his or her own passport in the United States. See below:
http://travel.state....minors_834.html
The adding of children to passports is a Russian thing. In order to do that you'll need to translate that US birth certificate, get it appostiled, and bring it to the Russian consulate of your jurisdiction. See instructions below:
http://www.consulrussia.org/passport.htm#&...#1082;?...
http://www.consulrussia.org/passport.htm#&...;??
After all that you may add the child, although I think for going through all this, you might just want to get the real passport.
But really what you are doing is making Russian citizenship for the child. It will certainly help in saving money on visas to Russia, but after age 18 he is good to go for compulsory military service too.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-09-27 11:00:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belaruspoor English translation on Russian passport
QUOTE (llj45 @ Oct 2 2007, 07:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Actually, I have emailed the Embassy as well. However, I have not received an answer. How long should I wait for an answer before I resend the email message?
Wow, thanks for the post. The three times I have emailed them, once about attending the interview, and the other times about non-immigrant visa questions I got responses the next day. I'd give it a week and then resend. Obviously if you have encountered a problem days before the interview, you must call.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-10-02 11:40:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belaruspoor English translation on Russian passport
QUOTE (llj45 @ Oct 1 2007, 05:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
In case someone reads this message later wishing to call the US Embassy in Moscow about a visa related question, they should call using these digits from inside Russia and outside of Moscow 8 495 787 31 67.
If you want to get the same answer without calling and paying the outrageous fees, you can always Email the Embassy.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-10-01 15:54:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusVisa to Russia
QUOTE (obender @ Oct 2 2007, 02:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
you only won $30 over the price of tourist visa at Russia-visa.com
QUOTE (Satellite @ Oct 2 2007, 09:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Total cost. About $130 in comparison to $250+ for a business visa through a third party to cover me for 2 months.
Because I was staying for 2 months a tourist visa was the most expensive option. Leaving Siberia and returning with a new visa even to the nearest third country was just too crazy. But for those going on short trips, of course it makes sense not go through the extra hoops of a private visa. I needed the clean registration due to my lengthy stay there.

QUOTE (obender @ Oct 2 2007, 02:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
so even for a student (which can't afford to lose plane tickets, for example) getting visa through this agency seems a good idea...
QUOTE (Satellite @ Oct 2 2007, 09:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
12. If May comes around and still no visa, I go online and pay a third party. Loss of $20 to fiancée. No biggy.
If you plan well ahead, like I stated, the worst thing that happens is your fiancée is out $20 in trying to get you the cheaper visa. Because both of my trips were planned for June, if nothing came by late May, I'd have used a third party just like everyone else here. But surprisingly the thing came in a regular envelope in mid March!
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-10-02 17:38:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusVisa to Russia
QUOTE (obender @ Oct 2 2007, 07:31 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I just visited Russia on private visa... at the end it costs more than $160 and takes several months to get all together.
Sounds about right give her take a few dollars. Here is how it worked for me.
Sample Timeline with Cost Detail:
In January I plan a trip from June to August. Start looking for cheap tickets, because I AM GOING.
1. Scan / Email my vital passport page to fiancée - cost free.
2. Fiancée Receives Email / Prints out page. Cost - $0.10.
3. Fiancée goes to OVIR and fills out the appropriate forms - cost bus ride.
4. Fiancée pays the central bank 400 rubles. Cost - about $15.
5. Fiancée waits 2 months. Cost - free.
6. Fiancée receives private visa invitation. Cost - bus ride.
7. Fiancée places private invitation in regular rate envelope and mails it to me. Cost - $1.50 in postage.
8. Two weeks later I receive the invitation. [Requires Luck]. - cost free.
9. I fill out the consulate application. Cost - free.
10. I visit the consulate and give them passport, application, picture, and money order. Cost $100 + (gas and picture).
11. I pick up the visa in one week with visa.
Total cost. About $130 in comparison to $250+ for a business visa through a third party to cover me for 2 months.
12. If May comes around and still no visa, I go online and pay a third party. Loss of $20 to fiancée. No biggy.
13. Save on hassle free registration and peace of mind that I have the right visa for staying with my fiancée at her residence.

QUOTE (obender @ Oct 2 2007, 07:31 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
You might be too far from Russian reality by now, Satellite, no offence... While dealing with Russia one should never follow its law that is on paper. At the end it always costs you more there (time and money).
I can only speak from my personal experience on this subject. I have had success with this visa twice in 2003 and 2004 following the steps above.
I agree that in Russia you can pay with only two things:
1. Time
2. Money.
Being a poor student with plenty of time, I chose the former. Then there is personality; I despise the middle man. And will go out of my way in Russia to make sure someone like a scalper / third party does not profit. I had no choice at the Bolshoi theater, because we came for two weeks and had no way of buying tickets directly from the cashier months in advance.
But if you have been reading my posts, you will know I am huge critic of Russia for all of its inadequacies. The person who is far from Russian reality is my wife, who believes all is swell there, even in the deepest parts of Siberia.

QUOTE (obender @ Oct 2 2007, 07:31 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Well my question remains: how does Russia-visa.com handles registration in Russia?
Try emailing or phoning them. I don't think anyone here can speak for them.

QUOTE (gogal2020 @ Oct 2 2007, 08:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I'll be stopping by in Moscow for a day or so and heading further east to Siberia. I don't know if I need to get the registration, but I think in smaller cities no one really checks for it, it's mostly Moscow and St.Petersburg is where it could be a problem. Although I am not positive myself, but at least i hope its that way. My wife has an apartment there and that's where we will stay, probably will not even register anywhere.
I believe you have 72 hours to register your visa. Therefore, showing your visa stamp of a recent arrival will excuse you from registering in Moscow. The problem only arises when you travel from Moscow by train. Based on observation I saw a Ukrainian grandmother get slapped with a 1000 ruble fine for not registering her passport in Siberia because it took the train 5 days to make it from Kiev.
As for random checks, of course Moscow leads the pack. No 4th Amendment there (unreasonable searches and seizures). But in the deeper parts of Russia you can be checked at airports and if you drive a car and get randomly pulled over. Otherwise you are fine.

Edited by Satellite, 02 October 2007 - 11:37 AM.

SatelliteMaleRussia2007-10-02 11:34:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusVisa to Russia
QUOTE (obender @ Oct 1 2007, 02:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Usually tourist visa is registered at the hotel... but what if I'm not planning to stay at the hotel?!
(having my wife's and my own appartments there sort of eliminated the need...)
should be some ways around it, shouldn't it?
getting private invitations from russia is real pain! visa itself though is quite easy but that's may be the result of leaving next to embassy in DC...
Traditionally by definition a tourist someone who stays at a hotel or rents an apartment. If you aren't either of those you are not a tourist. Getting a Russian private visa invitation is whole lot easier and faster than getting a US K1.
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-10-01 18:50:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusVisa to Russia
QUOTE (gogal2020 @ Sep 11 2007, 06:55 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
In regards to the third party visa help, I am hesitant to send my passport to people (or a company) I don't know, over the internet. How do I get it directly from the embassy, by me going there in person. Do I need a letter from Elena's parents from Russia, or can I write one up myself tongue.gif?
Her parents need a copy of your passport so send it by email. Then they need to go where the old OVIR used to be at and ask about inviting a foreigner for a homestay visa. They will then tell them how much to pay the bank and what to fill out. The invitation will be generated by the Russian government and given to her parents. They then mail the invitation to you. You take that invitation plus the regular application form and either personally give it to the consulate or mail it.
Read up on it:
http://www.consulrus...s/Visa_Page.htm
SatelliteMaleRussia2007-09-11 09:08:00