Russian consular offices perform notarial acts with the same force as a Russian notary: powers of attorney, consents, declarations and certification of copies and signatures. For anyone who cannot or should not travel to Russia, this is the mechanism that keeps a property sale or an inheritance moving.
Quick facts
Russian notarial practice is formal and the wording is prescriptive, so obtain the text from the notary in Russia who will use it rather than drafting anything yourself.
Fees breakdown
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Power of attorney | Published tariff | General or for specific acts |
| Consent for a child to travel | Published tariff | Frequently required |
| Certification of a copy or signature | Published tariff | Per document |
| Registration in Russia | Charged there | For property transactions |
| Courier to Russia | Carrier’s charge | The original must travel |
Inheritance is the other common reason. Russian succession runs to a six-month window for accepting an estate, which makes timing a real constraint rather than an administrative detail.
How to apply
- Ask the notary in Russia for the exact wording and the acts to be authorised.
- Collect the passport details and identification numbers of everyone named.
- Gather the property or estate references as they appear in Russian records.
- Book the appointment through the queue system.
- Sign before the consular officer and pay the tariff.
- Courier the original to Russia, allowing for the six-month inheritance deadline.
Required documents
- Russian passport, internal or external as the office requires.
- The wording supplied by the notary in Russia.
- Full details of the person receiving the power.
- Property registry or estate references.
- Civil status documents where the act depends on them.
- Payment in the form the office accepts.
Where to apply
At the consular office covering your state, by appointment.
Additional notes
The six-month inheritance window
Russian law sets a defined period for accepting an inheritance. If a relative has died, deal with the power of attorney promptly rather than waiting for the estate to be organised.
Children travelling without a parent
Consents are frequently required for a child leaving or entering Russia without both parents, and they are checked.
Be specific
Name the property with its registry details and state the acts authorised. Russian notaries reject vague instruments.
Revocation
Revoking requires a further act through the same route, with notice to the notary holding the original.