Friday, January 26, 2007
A brand new citizen: the sequel
Contrary to what I had been told by the people at the Belgian embassy - and, apparently, contrary to Russian law - our handsome little boy was not automatically granted Russian citizenship. Here's the story.
When Olga and Stefan got back from the maternity hospital, we got a visit from the pediatrician, who wanted to check up on our son and give us some information. She said that by the end of the first month we would have to obtain his medical insurance (for free medical care) and that all that was required was his birth certificate and our passports. Near the end of the first month and about a week before New Year, when our car was finally running again, we gave the proper authorities a call and were told that that wasn't all that was required.
It turned out that Stefan had to be registered at our address and entered into Olga's passport first. In theory, this is quite an easy procedure and the authorities that take care of this are across the street from our apartment. However, this wouldn't be Russia if things were that simple.
They didn't really know what to do, so they told Olga to come back in the new year. She did and was informed that without my official agreement, Stef was not considered a Russian and could therefore not be registered. I would have to have a notary draw up a document stating I don't object to my son's acquiring Russian citizenship, and take this to the Home Office together with a bunch of copies of other documents.
After I did this and was told that only Olga could register him, she went back a few days later and arranged everything.
So, now we have almost everything: a Russian son with medical insurance, who is registered at our address and entered into Olga's Russian passport. We're still waiting for him to be entered into her international passport.
As for his Belgian nationality and passport, we've almost collected all the documents to be sent out to the embassy. By the way, we need to have his picture taken for his passport (which will be valid for 5 years)
. Can you believe it?
Our boy is now 2 months and 1 week old, weighs 6200g and measures 61cm.
When Olga and Stefan got back from the maternity hospital, we got a visit from the pediatrician, who wanted to check up on our son and give us some information. She said that by the end of the first month we would have to obtain his medical insurance (for free medical care) and that all that was required was his birth certificate and our passports. Near the end of the first month and about a week before New Year, when our car was finally running again, we gave the proper authorities a call and were told that that wasn't all that was required.
It turned out that Stefan had to be registered at our address and entered into Olga's passport first. In theory, this is quite an easy procedure and the authorities that take care of this are across the street from our apartment. However, this wouldn't be Russia if things were that simple.
They didn't really know what to do, so they told Olga to come back in the new year. She did and was informed that without my official agreement, Stef was not considered a Russian and could therefore not be registered. I would have to have a notary draw up a document stating I don't object to my son's acquiring Russian citizenship, and take this to the Home Office together with a bunch of copies of other documents.
After I did this and was told that only Olga could register him, she went back a few days later and arranged everything.
So, now we have almost everything: a Russian son with medical insurance, who is registered at our address and entered into Olga's Russian passport. We're still waiting for him to be entered into her international passport.
As for his Belgian nationality and passport, we've almost collected all the documents to be sent out to the embassy. By the way, we need to have his picture taken for his passport (which will be valid for 5 years)
. Can you believe it?Our boy is now 2 months and 1 week old, weighs 6200g and measures 61cm.
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