Starting from January 20, 2026, changes to the Federal Law "On the Procedure for Leaving and Entering the Russian Federation" will come into effect, according to which children under 14 years old will need a foreign passport to enter the specified countries. Previously, they could use a birth certificate. This rule will apply regardless of who accompanies the child. Minors who are in the specified countries before this date will be able to return using a birth certificate. For children over 14 years old and adults, the option to enter with an internal Russian passport remains in effect.
According to Sergey Krivonosov, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Tourism, this decision was made to prevent cases of illegal export of minors and to align procedures with modern border control standards.
Parents should take care to obtain a foreign passport for their children in advance, as the application process may take some time, especially if trips to the specified countries are planned after January 2026.
Applications for a foreign passport can be submitted to the migration division of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, to a multifunctional center, or through the "Gosuslugi" portal. To do this, it is necessary to gather the required set of documents:
application for the issuance of a foreign passport; receipt of payment of the state duty; birth certificate with a note on Russian citizenship; document of registration at the place of residence or stay in Russia; passport of one of the parents or guardians; for children over 14 years old — child's passport; information about the child's valid foreign passport, if available; documents regarding the child's surname change, if any.
If the child is traveling without both parents, a notarized consent from one of the legal representatives is required, which must specify the duration and country of travel, as well as details about the child and the accompanying person. Consent from the second parent is not needed if the departure is with one of the parents and there is no official prohibition. In case of a difference in surnames between the parent and the child, it is recommended to carry a document confirming the relationship. Maria Zakharova, a representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, advised Russians to obtain foreign passports for their children in advance.
Lawyers interviewed by RBC recommend carrying a child's birth certificate during travel even after January 20. According to Artem Gritsyuk, managing partner of the law firm "Time Lex," this document may be needed to obtain medical assistance abroad or to confirm kinship. Yevgeny Korchago, chairman of the "Korchago and Partners" law firm, noted that without a foreign passport, a child will not be allowed to leave Russia, although border guards in other countries may allow entry with a birth certificate.
These measures are aimed at protecting children from illegal export to other countries, as fraudsters may use fake or someone else's birth certificates that do not contain photographs, as reported by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Source: RBC
