Russian lawmakers are considering reinstating mandatory stamps for marriage and children in passports, according to TASS. Tatyana Butskaya, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Family Protection, Paternity, Maternity and Childhood, stated that the committee has received requests to bring back the stamps, which have been optional since 2021.

The proposal stems from concerns that the absence of these stamps makes it difficult to quickly ascertain a person’s family status. Previously, a passport provided a clear picture of an individual’s life events, including birth, marriage, and children. Now, with a relatively empty passport and the absence of a wedding ring, determining a person’s marital and parental status has become more challenging, according to those in favor of reinstating the stamps.

Since the summer of 2021, Russian citizens have had the option of whether or not to include stamps for marriage, divorce, and minor children in their passports. Currently, mandatory information in the passport includes registration at the place of residence and deregistration, as well as military service records for citizens 18 and older. Butskaya suggested that if paper passports continue to be used, family status information should also be included.