“Reserve+” or a paper military ID: which document has legal force

An electronic military registration document in the “Reserve+” app has the same legal force as a paper one. Even so, it is worth understanding exactly what has to be shown during a check, whether a paper military ID must be carried as well, and when the electronic document is enough.

While mobilisation is in force, citizens often have to confirm their military registration status. For this they may use not only the traditional paper military registration document, but also its electronic version.

The Ministry of Defence states directly: an electronic military registration document generated in “Reserve+” has the same legal force as a paper military ID, a registration certificate or any other military registration document provided for by law.

The rules for issuing such documents are set out in Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 559. Under it, a military registration document in electronic form and a document in paper form are equivalent. Legislation therefore lays down no general rule requiring a citizen who holds a valid electronic document to carry a paper military ID at the same time.

There is, however, an important condition: the electronic document must contain a QR code that allows an authorised person to verify the information. It is the QR code that makes it possible to confirm the validity of the document and the data held in the state register. An electronic document without such a code cannot be used as a full electronic military registration document.

“Reserve+” may display, among other things, personal data, the military registration category, details of the territorial recruitment and social support centre, the military occupational speciality, the results of the medical board, and information on a deferral or reservation, where the relevant data has been entered in the register.

An electronic military registration document with a QR code can also be printed out. Such a printed version is likewise treated as equivalent to the electronic document and has legal force, provided the QR code is readable.

So “Reserve+” is not merely an information app. The electronic document generated in it is an official military registration document. If it is valid and contains a QR code, a requirement to produce a paper document alongside it does not follow from the general procedure for issuing military registration documents.

Citizens should nevertheless check in advance that the document in the app has been generated correctly, that the information in it is up to date and that the QR code opens for verification. This will help avoid unnecessary questions during a document check.