In Russia, the oath has become mandatory from the age of 14

As of January 9, 2026, new rules regarding the citizenship acquisition process have come into effect in Russia. One of the most significant changes is that now the oath must be taken not only by adults but also by teenagers who have reached the age of 14.

The law introducing these changes was signed by the President of the Russian Federation on December 29, 2025. Previously, the obligation to take an oath applied only to adult citizens. Now, the legislation synchronizes the age at which one can take the oath with the age at which the first passport of a Russian citizen is issued.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia emphasizes that the process of taking the oath is strictly regulated and is a necessary step to complete naturalization. Citizenship applicants will be required to complete this procedure within one year after receiving a positive decision on their application.

Failure to comply with this requirement or refusal to take the oath will result in serious legal consequences, including the annulment of the decision to grant citizenship from the moment it was made. This means that the entire process of obtaining citizenship status will effectively be canceled.

Migration services explain that this initiative aims to enhance the significance of the Russian passport and the conscious acceptance of the rights and responsibilities enshrined in the Constitution. Taking the oath is now becoming an important legal act, without which obtaining the status of a full-fledged citizen of the Russian Federation is impossible.