More Russians Are Choosing to File Marriage Applications Online
Digital government services are transforming how Russian citizens interact with vital records offices, making the marriage registration process faster, simpler, and more transparent.
The number of residents in Russia’s Belgorod region filing marriage applications through the national Gosuslugi (Public Services) portal has surged. Experts predict that this example of successful digital transformation will inspire similar modernization across other regions.
A New Digital Workflow
Since the beginning of 2025, nearly 4,400 couples in the Belgorod region have chosen the online service to submit their marriage applications to the local civil registry offices.
This reflects the growing digitization of public services and the effective integration of electronic channels into Russia’s vital records system. Residents praise the new digital process for reducing bureaucracy, cutting in-person visits, and saving valuable time.
The data also underscores the national trend toward digital efficiency—supporting Russia’s long-term public administration modernization goals and helping reduce operating costs. Experts note that Gosuslugi’s continuous improvements demonstrate the maturity of Russia’s e-government infrastructure and could serve as a model for other nations advancing digital governance.
Paperless and People-Oriented
Officials expect the number of couples choosing digital applications to continue rising, easing workloads on registry offices. The Belgorod region’s success may soon make it a national ‘digital benchmark,’ aligning with the Russian Federation’s National Program for the Digital Economy. The project also helps build public trust in government services by proving that digital channels can be secure, efficient, and user-friendly.
The underlying technologies—such as e-service platforms and API integrations—could be adapted for use in other CIS countries currently digitizing their government systems. In the future, developers even foresee a unified ‘Electronic Civil Records Framework’ that could be licensed or exported as a consulting service abroad.
The Future of Digital Vital Records
Across Russia, electronic marriage applications are steadily replacing traditional paper forms. In 2024 alone, more than 450,000 couples used the Gosuslugi portal to register their marriage. In the country’s northern regions, over 67 percent of all marriage applications were filed online during the first half of that year.
Belgorod is now setting its own record. The ability to apply from home, choose the wedding date, and select a ceremony venue online is driving new levels of adoption. According to projections, within a few years more than half of all marriage applications in the region will be submitted electronically. Additional features may follow—such as automatic notifications, mobile integration, and digital ‘wedding bonuses.’
Regions that actively deploy these innovations are proving that citizens value convenience, transparency, and speed in public services. As local administrations adopt standardized platforms, digital registry services could become unified nationwide, setting a precedent for efficient, citizen-centric government.
