Science & Tech · Big Tech & Internet · 11 hrs ago
Russia expands uses for children’s birth certificates in Max
Russia has expanded how parents can use children’s digital birth certificates in Max, the country’s national messaging app.
Parents will be able to show the document to confirm a minor child’s identity when buying tickets, using discounted or free transport, or boarding vehicles.
It can also be used when seeking care covered by compulsory medical insurance, visiting service centres, museums and sports or cultural events, and accessing other services that require identity checks.
The digital document is stored in Max’s Digital ID service, in the “Family and Children” section, and parents can present its details through a QR code.
The option was already available when checking into hotels.
Using the digital version is voluntary, and paper birth certificates remain valid.
The service will become available as organisations connect to it, so its use will depend on which providers have joined.
Russia has expanded the situations in which parents can use a child’s birth certificate in the Max messenger to confirm the child’s identity.
The electronic document can be presented for transport, healthcare, government services, cultural and sports events, and other services requiring identity confirmation.
Parents can show the document’s details using a QR code in the Digital ID service’s “Family and Children” section.
Use of the electronic document is voluntary, and paper birth certificates remain valid.
The service will be available as organizations connect to it.
- Who
- Parents of minors in Russia.
- What
- They can use a child’s electronic birth certificate in Max to confirm the child’s identity in additional situations.
- When
- Announced on October 14, 2026; availability depends on organizations connecting to the service.
- Where
- In the Max messenger, through the Digital ID service.
- Why
- To confirm a child’s identity when accessing transport, healthcare, government, cultural, sporting and other services.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Parents could already present a child’s birth certificate through Max when checking into a hotel.
The ministry announced expanded situations for presenting a child’s electronic birth certificate in Max.
- Transport
- Tickets, discounted or free travel, and boarding
- Healthcare
- Medical care covered by compulsory health insurance
- Government services
- Visits to multifunctional public service centers
- Digital ID location
- Family and Children” section in Max
- Hotels
- More than 3,000 hotels across Russia are connected to the service
3 sources
What people are saying
Situations in which a birth certificate can be presented in Max have increased. The government has determined cases in which parents will be able to confirm the identity of their minor children using a digital ID in Max. The service can be used as organizations connect to it.