The question of how many children are given a sable for often causes confusion, since in modern legislation of the Russian Federation there is no state award with the name “Sable”.
Historically, in Soviet times there was the Order of “Mother Heroine”, which was awarded to women who gave birth and raised ten or more children, as well as the Order of “Maternal Glory” of three degrees.
Today, the highest state award is the Order of Parental Glory, awarded to two-parent families raising seven or more adopted or natural children, with the youngest having to be 5 years old.
Debunking the myth: where did Sobol come from?
The word "Sable" in the context of awards is often associated with historical periods or regional characteristics, but in the current federal system of encouraging large families there is no such term.
Most likely, the confusion arises due to a confusion of concepts with the Order of Mother's Glory or with regional insignia, which in everyday life could receive popular names.
It's important to understand, that at the federal level there is now a single standard approved by the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation, which clearly regulates the number of children and the status of parents.
Why was there confusion with the name?
In Soviet times, there were many departmental and regional awards. Some of them may have had animals or symbolic images in their names, but they lost their validity or were abolished after the collapse of the USSR.
The awards are made exclusively on the basis of official documents, which set out clear criteria that leave no room for ambiguity in the names.
Order of "Parental Glory": federal requirements
The main purpose of introducing the Order of Parental Glory was to strengthen the institution of the family and increase the prestige of raising children in a complete family.
To receive this high honor, it is necessary to meet a number of strict conditions, which relate not only to the number of children, but also to their age, as well as the social status of the parents.
The award is given to both parents, which emphasizes the importance of the participation of father and mother in the process of raising the younger generation.
☑️ Criteria for receiving the order
It is worth noting that they are taken into account as blood, so reception rooms children, which makes the award available to foster families who take in children from orphanages.
Candidates must not have a criminal record, be registered with preventive authorities, or be deprived of parental rights in relation to any of the children.
Status of large families: regional differences
Unlike the order, which is a federal award, the status of a large family and related benefits are regulated by the legislation of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation.
In most regions, a family with many children is considered to be raising three or more minor children.
However, there are exceptions: in some regions the threshold may be higher, for example, four or five children, which depends on the demographic situation and birth rate in a particular area.
| Region | Minimum children | Age of children | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moscow | 3 | up to 16 years old (students up to 18) | Add. benefits for 5+ children |
| Saint Petersburg | 3 | up to 18 years old | Registration of adopted children |
| Ingushetia | 5 | up to 18 years old | High entry threshold |
| Tyva | 3 | up to 18 years old | Extended benefits package |
To obtain a certificate for a large family, you must contact the social security authorities at your place of residence or submit an application through the portal Public services.
The document gives the right to receive subsidies, free meals in schools, compensation for part of utility bills and other types of support.
When moving to another region, the status of a large family must be reconfirmed according to the laws of the new place of residence, since the criteria may differ.
Maternity capital and new payments
Financial support for families with children in Russia has undergone significant changes, and now we are not talking about one-time actions, but about systemic assistance.
Program maternity capital has been in effect for many years and applies to the first, second and subsequent children born after January 1, 2020.
The amount of payments is indexed annually and can be used to improve living conditions, educate children, or form the funded part of the mother’s pension.
⚠️ Attention: The use of maternity capital funds to purchase a car or dacha (without individual housing construction status) is prohibited at the federal level, although some regions have their own programs.
In addition, for low-income families, a monthly allowance is provided for children from birth to 17 years of age, the amount of which depends on the cost of living in the region.
Large families can also count on a lump sum payment at the birth of the third and subsequent children, if such a support measure is established in their region.
The processing of all types of financial assistance is now as automated as possible, and applications are often submitted electronically without the need to visit offices.
Land plots and housing benefits
One of the most significant support measures for large families is the opportunity to receive a free plot of land.
The legislation provides for the allocation of land for individual housing construction, private farming or gardening.
The area of the plot usually varies from 6 to 15 acres, but the exact parameters depend on the availability of free land in the municipality.
The process of obtaining land can take a long time due to the queue, so many regions offer an alternative in the form of monetary compensation or housing certificate.
There is also a preferential mortgage program for families with children, where the state subsidizes part of the interest rate, making the loan more affordable.
What to do if there is no free land in the administration?
If there are no vacant plots in the municipality, you have the right to demand monetary compensation or an alternative housing option by contacting the court or the prosecutor's office.
Procedure for obtaining awards and benefits
The process of obtaining the status of a large family and issuing awards requires collecting a certain package of documents and passing through several authorities.
First, you need to obtain a certificate of family composition, birth certificates of all children and documents confirming the education of older children in full-time institutions.
Then an application is submitted to the social protection authorities or MFC, where specialists check compliance with the criteria.
- 📄 Passports of both parents and copies.
- 👶 Birth certificates of all children (originals and copies).
- 🏠 Certificate of registration at the place of residence (form No. 9).
- 📸 3x4 photographs for certificates and award documents.
The application review period usually ranges from 10 to 30 calendar days, after which an appropriate certificate is issued or a notification of refusal is received.
In case of refusal, the applicant has the right to demand a written justification for the decision and appeal it to higher authorities.
The main document confirming the status is a certificate of a large family, which must be presented when receiving benefits.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is the order given if the older children are already 18 years old?
Yes, the age of older children does not matter for receiving the Order of Parental Glory, the main thing is that the youngest child is 5 years old, and all seven (or more) children were alive at the time of the award.
Can a single mother receive the Order of Parental Glory?
No, the Order of Parental Glory is awarded only to complete families where children are raised by both parents. Single parents may qualify for other types of support and regional awards.
Are adopted children considered for the status of having many children?
Yes, foster children, adopted or under guardianship, are equal to blood and are taken into account when determining the number of children and receiving the order.
Do I need to confirm the status of a large family every year?
In most regions, status is confirmed annually, as the eldest child may reach adulthood and the composition of the family will change. Updated transcripts must be submitted.
Is there a monetary reward for the order?
Yes, the Order of Parental Glory is entitled to a one-time cash payment, the amount of which is established by presidential decree and indexed annually.