This Response provides additional but limited information to RUS34764.E of 14 July 2000 on whether an expired Russian international passport must be returned to the Russian authorities before a new passport is issued.

In 24 May 2004 correspondence received by the Research Directorate from the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Ottawa, a representative of the Consular Division wrote that "according to Russian procedures, when a new passport is issued an applicant cannot retain his [or her] old passport. The old passport is collected by the passport office." This information is corroborated by that found in Order No. 605 adopted by the Russian government on 15 September 1997 and entitled On the Approval of Instruction on the Procedure of Issuee, Replacement, Registration and Storage of Passports of Citizens of the Russian Federation, which states that in order to replace a passport, a citizen of the Russian Federation must submit his or her passport that is to be replaced, along with the other required documents (Russia 20 Oct. 1997, art. 15. 2; Trade Rep. 28 Nov. 2003).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Embassy of the Russian Federation, Ottawa. 24 May 2004. Correspondence from the Consular Division.

Russia. 20 October 1997. Ministry of Internal Affairs. On the Approval of Procedural Regulations for the Issuance, Renewal and Safeguarding of Passports of Citizens of the Russian Federation [in Russian].

Trade Representation of the Russian Federation to the USA. 28 November 2003. "Russian Legislation." http://www.russiansoft.com/index.php?chapter=rl [Accessed 1 June 2004]

Publications, including: Passport Handbook

Internet sources, including: American Russian Law Institute, Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, Visa Reciprocity and Country Document Finder.