Minor travel regulations and consent

For travel between Russia and Belarus: Children under 14 years old require an international passport starting January 2026. For children 14 and older, a Russian internal passport is sufficient. Previously, children with outdated photos in their passports were often allowed passage, but this may change. Border checks can include document photography.

As of January 20, 2026, Russian citizens under the age of 14 require a foreign passport (zagranpasport) for international travel from Russia. Previously, a birth certificate with a photograph might have been accepted, but this is no longer guaranteed. Ensure children under 14 possess a valid foreign passport for departure from the Russian Federation.

Traveling with minors from Russia to Belarus requires a notarized parental consent form if the child is traveling with relatives (grandparents, etc.) or alone. While checks may be sporadic, official regulations mandate the document for crossing borders by car, bus, or plane.

Since January 2026, children under 14 require a passport (zagranpasport) for crossing the RU-BY border; birth certificates are not accepted. Border congestion varies significantly; routes like Roslavl or M1 can experience delays of several hours. Expect manual document checks; cross-border transit is often treated as a lottery.

Travel requirements for minors (under 14) from Russia to Belarus: A biometric passport is mandatory. Travel with relatives other than parents requires a notarized consent form for departure from Russia and a travel authorization for the companion.

For a minor (under 18) traveling alone from Belarus to Russia: If the child is a Belarusian citizen and under 14 years old, parental consent might be required for departure from Belarus, as they may not possess a standard internal passport. For Belarusian citizens aged 14 and over, the standard Belarusian internal passport is generally sufficient for travel to Russia. No additional consent forms are typically needed for this age group when crossing the border between Belarus and Russia, as it is not considered international travel in the same way as crossing to other foreign countries.

For a 14-year-old traveling by car from Russia to Belarus with an adult sibling (not parents), a notarized consent from one parent is generally required. While rules may vary, it's best to have this document to avoid issues at the border. If traveling with a parent, the other parent's consent is typically not needed, but a check for exit bans might still occur.

Russian citizens traveling with children who possess Russian citizenship but lack valid passports (e.g., expired or never obtained after age 14) may face issues when crossing borders, particularly exiting Belarus back to Russia. While entry might be possible with birth certificates, re-entry can be restricted without passports. The Russian Embassy in Belarus offers return certificates, but appointments can be delayed. Obtaining passports in advance is strongly recommended. Ensure children have appropriate documentation for international travel, especially if they hold citizenship in the destination country.

For travel between Russia and Belarus by train, adults typically only require their standard Russian internal passports. For children under three years old, a foreign passport (either old or new model) is mandatory. While pet vaccination records are advisable, the necessity of specific health certificates for pets when traveling by train between these countries might vary and should be verified with the carrier.

From January 2026, children under 14 years of age departing from Russia to Belarus must have a valid international passport. Previously accepted documents like birth certificates (СОР) are no longer sufficient for departure from Russia. Travelers have been turned back at the border due to non-compliance with this new regulation.

A 14-year-old Russian citizen can travel to Belarus by train. While parental consent might not be strictly required if traveling with one parent, having a notarized consent from one parent is advisable. If no exit ban is in place, border guards may not always request extensive documentation, but it's safer to be prepared.

Children under 14 years old require a foreign passport to exit Russia. However, they can enter Belarus using their birth certificate as there is no passport control on the Belarusian side of the Russia-Belarus border. It's crucial to distinguish between exit and entry regulations.

Since January 2026, children under 14 years old require a separate international passport (zagranpasport) to travel from Russia to Belarus. Birth certificates are no longer sufficient as a primary travel document. Exception: children inscribed in a 5-year parental passport with a photograph may be allowed, but individual passports are strictly recommended to avoid border denial.

For a 15-year-old traveling abroad with a relative (not a parent), a notarized consent for travel from one parent is generally required. This document should authorize the departure of the minor and name the accompanying relative.

Travel of children under 14 years old to Belarus from Russia is allowed if the child is endorsed in the mother's old-style international passport with a photo and an official seal. Russian border control performs checks at the exit from the Russian Federation. It is recommended to carry a printout of relevant laws to resolve potential disputes at the border checkpoint.