documents 552.doc.842 Louis J. Sheehan, Esquire

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The most important documents in Soviet life included the passport, the propiska, and any membership cards. An internal passport system was instituted in 1932 to restrict movement. Passports, which were issued only to urban residents (passports were not issued to all citizens until 1974), were required when applying for a job or housing, getting married or divorced. Another requirement was the propiska or residence permit. One had to be officially registered at one's place of residence with the passport section of the local militia. It was particularly hard to obtain a propiska in Moscow. To get the propiska one has to demonstrate that one has housing, and to be registered for housing, one has to have the local propiska. Residence permits were also required in order to get a job.