Military registration for individuals: registering, changing data, deregistering and fines

What is happening

The commonest story is a move. Someone has lived in another city for years while their records still show the old address. Notices go where they no longer are, and then an entry appears recording a failure to appear, followed by a fine. All the while they believed they were breaking no rules.

The second is lost documents. The military identity document has gone missing, the conscript certificate is at a relative's, and they have to be replaced by a fixed date: a job, a trip, a passport. The office quotes different requirements each time and the process drags on for months.

The third is fines and entries. A report is drawn up for failing to appear, for not reporting a change of data, or for not being registered at all. Sometimes there is no basis: no notice was served, the data was reported, or the duty does not apply to you. Such a ruling can be contested, but the time to appeal is short.

What the law says

• The law on military duty and military service (Federal Law 53-FZ) requires citizens to be on the military register and to report changes in their details to the enlistment office.
• Registering and deregistering on a move now largely follow from state services and residence registration, but that does not remove your own duty to report the details.
• Breaching the registration rules is an administrative offence carrying a fine. Liability arises only where a notice was served or where the duty itself applies to you.
• A ruling imposing a fine can be appealed within ten days of receiving a copy of it, to the higher authority or to a court.
• A duplicate is issued to replace a lost military identity document. A refusal to issue one, or inaction by the office, can be challenged.
• Someone who is not on the register by reason of age or health is not bound by requirements addressed to those who are. That is checked against the documents.

What we do

• We check where and on what register you stand, what data is held about you and which duties genuinely apply to you.
• We prepare applications: to register, to deregister, to change data, and for a duplicate military identity document.
• We handle the correspondence with the enlistment office for you, obtain written replies and record any refusals.
• We contest rulings imposing fines for breach of the registration rules, before the higher authority and in court.
• We challenge inaction: documents not accepted, a duplicate not issued, a refusal to amend the data.
• We act for you under a power of attorney if you are in another city or cannot attend in person.

What we need from you

• Your military identity or conscript certificate — or, if lost, a statement of loss and whatever you still hold.
• Your passport with the registration page and documents showing where you actually live or stay.
• The call-up notice and any letters from the enlistment office, with the dated envelope.
• A copy of the ruling imposing the fine and of the offence report, if proceedings have already begun.
• Medical documents and any military medical board finding, if your registration turns on a fitness category.
• A certificate from your employer or place of study and your employment contract, where these matter.