As of January 9, 2026, changes to federal legislation have come into effect in Russia that significantly adjust the procedure for acquiring citizenship. A key innovation is the lowering of the age for taking the Oath: now, the solemn oath must be taken by teenagers who are at least 14 years old.
The law, signed by the President of the Russian Federation on December 29, 2025, changed the rules under which the obligation to take the Oath previously applied only to adults. Now, the age at which one can take the oath coincides with the age for receiving the first passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia notes that the process of taking the Oath is strictly regulated and is a necessary step in the naturalization process. Applicants for citizenship must complete this procedure within one year from the date of receiving a positive decision on the granting of citizenship.
Refusal to participate in the ceremony or skipping the oath-taking will lead to serious legal consequences. In such cases, the decision to grant citizenship will be deemed invalid from the moment it was made, effectively nullifying the entire process of obtaining citizenship status.
Migration services explain that this measure is intended to enhance the significance of the Russian passport and ensure a conscious acceptance of the rights and obligations enshrined in the Constitution. Taking the Oath ceases to be a formality and becomes a legal fact, without which obtaining the rights of a full-fledged citizen of the Russian Federation is impossible.
