Starting from January 9, 2026, new rules regarding the process of obtaining citizenship have come into effect in Russia. One of the most significant changes is that young people who have reached the age of 14 are now required to take an oath.
This law, signed by the President of the Russian Federation on December 29, 2025, amends previous regulations that allowed only adults to take the oath. Now, the age at which one can take the oath coincides with the age for obtaining the first passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation emphasizes that this process has clear regulations and is mandatory for completing naturalization. Citizenship applicants must complete this step within one year from the date of a positive decision regarding citizenship.
Refusal to take the oath or failure to appear at the ceremony may lead to serious legal consequences. In such cases, the decision to grant citizenship will be annulled from the date it was made, effectively canceling the entire process of obtaining citizenship status.
Migration services explain that this measure aims to enhance the significance of the Russian passport and the conscious acceptance of the rights and responsibilities outlined in the Constitution. The oath becomes not just a formality, but an important legal step without which it is impossible to obtain the rights of a full citizen of the Russian Federation.
