Moscow Region Now Lets Parents Change a Child’s Name Entirely Online
New digital services make official paperwork faster, easier, and queue-free for thousands of families
Parents in Russia’s Moscow Region can now request a legal change to their child’s first or last name — fully online — for children under 14. The Ministry of State Administration, Information Technology, and Communications says the service eliminates the need for in-person visits, replacing them with just a few clicks.
The process requires approval from child welfare authorities and consent from both parents. If the child is 10 or older, their opinion must also be taken into account. The new name cannot contain numbers, symbols (other than a hyphen), profanity, or references to titles and positions.
To apply, parents log in to the Moscow Region’s e-government portal via the national ESIA ID system, fill out a digital form with details about the child and the second parent, and submit it. The second parent then receives an online notification to confirm consent. The service is free, processed within seven business days, and available under the “Social Support” section of the portal. Officials say this is part of the region’s broader push to expand digital services and make interaction with the government more convenient.
