Identification and Documents: how it works in any — first-hand

While the internal Russian passport must be changed within 30 days of surname change, an international passport is technically valid until its expiration date, provided all travel documents (tickets, visas) match. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that border control or airlines may deny boarding due to strict interpretations or perceived discrepancies. General advice is to change the passport to avoid potential issues.

A valid passport from the country of origin (e.g., Russia, requiring renewal at 20 years old) is typically necessary to obtain a criminal record certificate. Argentine authorities may request this certificate multiple times during residency or citizenship application processes, and an expired passport can significantly complicate its procurement.

Localizing the request into the official language of the entry country improves compliance rates compared to English. Despite such requests, border control officers may occasionally stamp randomly or in violation of user preferences, as national regulations for stamp placement take precedence.

The user contrasts this with practices in Russia and Latvia, where such requirements are less common or absent for non-air travel. The focus is on the distinction between needing a passport for purchase versus for travel itself.

A valid international passport (zagranpasport) is required for entry into Vietnam and most other countries.

Only official border control officers are authorized to stamp passports. Unauthorized stamps, including souvenir stamps (e.g., from Cuba), can invalidate your passport and lead to complications with visa applications and international travel, particularly with airlines and certain countries. If you wish to collect stamps, use a separate notebook or an old, expired passport.

Border control officers may refuse entry or exit with such damage. While domestic travel within Russia might be possible with a damaged document, international travel carries a significant risk of being denied crossing.

However, for international border crossings and visa applications, a foreign passport is mandatory. The acceptance of internal passports in foreign consulates or for travel to specific countries may vary. It's generally advisable to use a foreign passport for international travel.