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Introduction
Interethnic marriages have been frowned upon and even illegal in human history across the globe. The spreading and advancement of the Enlightenment ideas helped such intolerance become diminished over many centuries. The Russian Empire and the Soviet Union were a part of this history that did not tolerate interethnic marriages. Over many years, Russia, as well as many other countries, became more tolerant of mixed marriages.

History
Russian law has not been known to be tolerant of mixed marriages. In the Russian Empire, mixed marriages of any kind were strictly prohibited, especially between Jews and non-Jews. Marriage was view strictly as a religious institution. The Church sought to “impose order on marriage and divorce." Even marriages between Russians had to be completed through religious ceremony. The state saw Orthodoxy as the “predominant” religion in the empire, although it recognized other religions, such as Catholicism. However, the state sought great control over the marital affairs between Orthodox and non-Orthodox people.

“Art. 85. For Russian subjects of Orthodox and Roman Catholic confessions marriages with non-Christians, and [for subjects] of the Protestant confession marriages with pagans, are entirely prohibited."

However, awareness of family law development in Europe caused Russian officials and jurists to bring about the idea of civil marriage and greater secularization. Enlightenment ideas during that time were starting to spread, but it was not until 1917, after the revolution, that mixed marriages, especially between Jews and non-Jews, were accepted. As a result, there was a great increase in international marriages.

Modern Day Laws and Procedures
In modern day Russia, there is a certain process to marrying a foreigner. When two Russians are getting married, they need only their passport for registration. A form is then filled out and a marriage date is booked after 30 days. When marrying a foreigner in Russia, however, additional documents are required from the embassy of that foreigner’s country. Documents that are needed include a Russian Visa, a passport, and a marital status paper from that foreigner’s embassy. When showing up with these documents to ZAG, “an organization that registers all marriages, births, and deaths in Russia," the first page of that person’s passport must be translated into Russian, stamped, and signed. Marital status paper can be acquired at either the Russian embassy, or the foreigner’s embassy.

There is a step-by-step process in registering for a marriage date for an international couple. First, the couple must formally meet with ZAGS officials, during which they will provide information on what papers are needed, as well as give a bank account number in which the registration fee will be transferred. Secondly, the potential spouses should complete the necessary documents and pay the registration fee. Third, these correct and completed documents, and receipt for the registration fee should be brought to ZAGS, after which an application form will be given to the couple. The form is an official request for the wedding to be processed. Once completed and presented to a ZAGS official, a wedding date will be booked. The booking process will take between 32 and 60 days. Lastly, the spouses will be given Government Wedding Certificate with a stamp that gives it international legitimacy.

In Russia’s history, mixed marriages were a challenge or almost impossible. Mixed marriage tolerance has increased in Russia throughout history because of the modernization of society, making such a process not as complicated for an international couple today. There is also a way of getting a wedding date before the 32-day period if one has a tourist visa that is only valid for one month or if a person simply does not have time to wait. In order to do this, the person must inform the official who booked the wedding date whom will then connect you with the director of ZAGS. Then, the person will be asked to write a claim in detail stating why it is necessary to have a wedding date sooner than the 32-day period. If the director deems the claim valid, then an earlier booking date will be granted.

Russian-American Marriages
The process for an American to marry a Russian is similar to that of any other foreigner, but there is a main difference. If the foreigner is a United States citizen who wishes to marry in Russia, he or she must fill out a standard affidavit form that provides information on current marital status. An appointment must then be made to get this form legalized by a notary. == Russian-Chinese Marriages == While Chinese men show great interest in finding Russian women, Chinese women also have a similar interest in the search for Russian men. In some cases, this international interest is because of a desire to go abroad and/or improve a financial situation. Legally, there are no restrictions for Russian and Chinese people to marry other than age. Such laws differ in each country. In order for a native Chinese person to marry a Russian, that person must be at least 18 years old, write a note that must be approved by the Chinese consulate stating that the couple will not marry in China, and have a Russian visa and valid passport. For the marriage to take place in China, the person of Russian descent must be 20 years old if a woman, and 22 years old if a man.

Statistics
In 1912, about 95 percent of the people in Moscow were ethnic Russian. Five years later, the Russian Revolution happened, after which tolerance of interracial marriages started to increase. In 1995, 22 percent of all marriages in Russia were interethnic. By 2000, only 89 percent of people in Moscow were ethnic Russian and that percentage is expected to drop to 73 percent by 2025.