Registration in Russia!!

[George_123]

Got myself register, but when i left Moscow, the immigration officer never even asked for it. I even showed her my registration, she wasn't interested. If so, why do we need to run around town, getting our register for nothing!!

[roykirk]

Got myself register, but when i left Moscow, the immigration officer never even asked for it. I even showed her my registration, she wasn't interested. If so, why do we need to run around town, getting our register for nothing!!

Because if you don't, you may have trouble getting another visa for a return visit.  From what I've read, it is very unlikely you would get any flack upon leaving even if you didn't register at all.  It's the application for the subsequent visa that could get held up.

[UTRO]

A good question and it seems to be up to the Passport Control Agent at the time. The same as arriving to any country. You just never know what is going to be said or asked of you. Fortunately, arriving and departing Russia usually only involves a few looks rather than words
I have always Registered. I have never shown my Registration paper(s) upon leaving Russia and I have never been asked for them.
I suppose we can assume it has been entered into a Database for the Agent to see on her monitor? Perhaps this is giving the Russian Bureaucracy too much credit? I honestly don't believe that their collection and distribution of information is yet that sophisticated. I theorise this by reference to Lana's girlfriend, who is married to an Austrian. He has never Registered at any time visiting Russia.
The only three things that Passport Control seems to worry about is your Passport, Visa and Stamped Immigration Form.
I'm not giving anyone advice to Not Register. I always Register in respect of 'Finagle's Law'..... "Anything that can go wrong, will—at the worst possible moment". I like things to go smoothly whenever I'm in Russia.... especially when arriving and departing!  

[roykirk]

I don't even know what registration "papers" are.  I know I had a piece of paper to keep when my GF registered me at the post office, but when hotels have registered me in the past, they give me nothing.  They just ask for my passport for a couple of hours and then they give it back to me.  Maybe they write something on the customs form you're given when you land?