ENBasing on archival and legal sources, the author carries out a detailed analysis of the Russian authorities’ "verification" policy with regard to the gentry in the Belarusian-Lithuanian and Ukrainian governorates in 1796–1811. Both the problems that appeared in connection with the implementation of the "verification" policy as well as ways of solving them were analyzed. The author also formulated the causes behind this policy, as well as showing the internal conflict within the higher milieus of the imperial authorities regarding the implementation of the "verification" policy and the placement of obligations upon the gentry.