17 Russian Documents Information and Practice
Page highlights
What will I learn here? |
The resources in this unit include information about Russian passports and other important documents and their comparison to the US passports. While examples include information about Russian passports, passport systems in other Russian speaking countries (Belarus, Ukraine) are similar and the same misunderstandings can occur. |
What language level is it for? |
All resources on this page are in English, but with Russian translations. One of the practice tasks is in Russian and is focused on practicing both the concepts and vocabulary related to passport matters. |
Other notes: |
Some ideas: Use these resources and tasks to better understand differences in the documents and possible misunderstandings that can arise from these differences.
!!! This page contains multiple interactive H5P resources — they might not display in all browsers — read more here |
Quick links:
Resource 1: Here, you will find explanations and examples of the first type of the Russian passport: the internal passport that is used only inside the country and cannot be used for traveling abroad, with the exception of a number of countries.
Resource 2: Here, you will find explanations and examples of the second type of the Russian passport: the travel passport that is used only for traveling outside of the country.
Resource 3: Here, you will find a short summary of the information about the U.S. passports and the comparison of the U.S. passport to the both types of the Russian passports.
Resource 4: This task is a short quiz that checks your understanding of the similarities and differences in the passport systems and use.
Resource 5: This task is a Quizlet flashcards set that includes passport-related vocabulary.
Resource 6: This learning task includes a dialogue in Russian to help practice passport-related concepts and vocabulary.
Resource 7: Here, you will find descriptions of other types of documents that exist in the Russian-speaking countries and their format is different from the one in the U.S.
Information about passports in Russian-speaking countries
First type of the passport: internal passport of the citizen of the Russian Federation
One can apply for the internal passport after the 14th birthday. It is not allowed to apply for this type of passport before that. The passport application is due 30 days after:
- turning 14, 20, and 45
- damage to the current passport
- change of name or last name
- mistakes in the passport information
- changes to the person’s appearance
If a Russian citizen does not have a passport, it is considered an administrative offense and can be punishable by fines, that’s why Russian citizens always carry this passport. The internal passport can only be received inside the country. The internal passport is used for work and trips inside the country, including traveling by train or planes. It is also valid for traveling to Abkhasia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgystan, and Tajikistan.
Internal Passport Example (photos)
Internal Passport explanations: click on various parts of the passport to learn about the information that it provides.
Second type of the passport: Travel\External passport of the Russian citizen
The external passport is used to travel abroad (to other countries) to confirm the identity of the person. Inside the country (Russia), the external passport cannot be used to confirm the identity of the Russian citizen.
There are two types of the external passports: the old type of the passport and the new type of the passport (biometrical). The old type of the external passport is issued for the period of 5 years. The new type of the external passport is issued for the period of 10 years and includes an electronic chip with the information about the person and their fingerprints.
All citizens 14 years and older must have the external passport if they are planning a trip abroad (to another country). Kids younger than 14 can be added to their parents’ external passports or can have their own external passport.
The external passport can be issued by:
- The Ministry of Internal Affairs (The Migration Committee);
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (inside Russia);
- in Russian embassies and consulates (outside of Russia).
Travel Passport Example (photos)
Internal Passport Explanations: click on various parts of the passport to learn about the information that it provides.
Information about American passports: U.S. Passport
Passports are issued by the federal government, specifically the Department of State. For US citizens, they are necessary for all international travel.
There are currently two forms of passports available: Passport Book and Passport Card.
American passport books contain biometric information about their subjects. An individual must come in person in most cases to apply for a passport book or card. All applicants for a passport under the age of 16 must come in person along with two legal guardians. Passports for applicants 16 years old and above are valid for 10 years, while passports for those under 16 are valid for 5 years.
Summary of important differences and similarities
Similarities:
- Purpose: Both Russian and U.S. passports serve as identification and travel documents, allowing citizens to confirm their identity and travel internationally.
- Age Requirement: Citizens in both Russia and the United States can apply for passports once they reach a certain age, typically around 14 years old.
- Duration: Both Russian external passports (new type) and U.S. passports for adults are valid for 10 years.
- Government Issuance: Passports in both countries are issued by the respective government authorities (e.g., the Ministry of Internal Affairs or the Department of State).
Differences:
Russian Internal Passport:
- Purpose: The Russian internal passport is primarily for domestic use, such as work and travel within the country.
- Application Triggers: There are specific triggers for applying for an internal passport, including age milestones, damage to the current passport, changes in personal information, or alterations in appearance.
- Travel: The internal passport is not valid for international travel except to a few neighboring countries like Abkhasia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgystan, and Tajikistan.
Russian External (Travel) Passport:
- Purpose: The Russian external passport is exclusively for international travel and cannot be used for domestic identification within Russia.
- Types: There are two types of Russian external passports: the old type, valid for 5 years, and the new type with biometric information and a 10-year validity.
- Age Requirement: All Russian citizens 14 years and older planning international trips must have an external passport.
U.S. Passport:
- Types: The U.S. offers two types of passports: the Passport Book and the Passport Card. The Passport Book contains biometric information.
- Age Requirement: Applicants under the age of 16 must appear in person with two legal guardians, while those 16 and older can apply in person for a 10-year passport.
- International Travel: U.S. passports are necessary for all international travel, and there is no distinction between domestic and international use.
In summary, both Russian and U.S. passports are essential for international travel, but they differ in their domestic use and the types of documents available, as well as specific application triggers and age requirements.
Practice
Task 1: Check your understanding of the differences between the U.S. and Russian passports in the quiz below
Task 2: Look through these Quizlet flashcards to check your knowledge of vocabulary for passport-related topics
Note: Register on Quizlet to see all items OR use the Full Screen window button at the bottom of the flashcards screen.
Task 3: Read this dialogue and drag the correct words to the blanks to check your knowledge of vocabulary for passport-related topics
Other important documents
Below, find a summary of the main documents that can be somewhat different in appearance and/or use.
Drivers LicenseMay be received after the age of 16 (there are multiple categories following this). It is necessary to study at driving school and pass an exam from the Government Inspectorate of Road Safety. |
| To get ready for the exam, you must bring your passport, certificate of health and a document showing that you have attended driving school. In Russia, a driver’s license is valid for 10 years. |
Birth certificateWhat is it used for?
It is necessary to register in the month following birth, but there is no fee.
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Marriage certificateYou must submit an application to ZAGS (government marriage registry) and pay 350 rubles. The certificate is necessary for:
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Military IDFor those serving in the military or undergoing conscription, the Military ID (Military “ticket”) replaces the passport. On it, you will find information on education, specialty, indicators of service, rank, wounds and military discharge. |
Those who receive a military ticket are:
The military ticket is given to citizens from 18 to 27 years of age. |
Pensioner’s certificateThe pensioner’s certificate is used to receive discounts on transport and in stores, pharmacies, museums and theaters. This document can be received in person through the Pension Fund of the Russian Federation. The pension age is 60 for women and 65 for men (the age having been raised in the latest reform). |
| To come to other Russian-speaking countries, you need an external passport (which many Russian citizens do not have) and a visa to that country.
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