Birth certificate recovery
We obtain duplicate birth certificates from Belarusian ZAGS offices – including certificates for clients born in different regions of Belarus – entirely by power of attorney.
Employment Contracts for Foreign Employees in Belarus
Licensed lawyers at AMBY Legal advise foreign employers and employees on employment contracts under Belarusian law – drafting, reviewing and ensuring compliance with the Labour Code requirements specific to foreign nationals.
Our clients
Obtaining Belarusian Civil Documents from Outside Belarus
Hiring a foreign employee in Belarus involves the same basic contract framework as hiring a Belarusian employee – but with additional requirements specific to foreign nationals. The contract must comply with the Labour Code, include all mandatory terms, and interact correctly with the work permit and residence permit documents. An incorrectly drafted contract – or one that omits mandatory provisions – creates legal risk for both the employer and the employee.
The most common contract form for professional employment in Belarus is the kontrakt – a fixed-term employment contract with specific features defined by Belarusian law. Understanding the difference between a kontrakt and a standard employment contract, and choosing the right form for each situation, is the starting point for every employment relationship.
Types of Civil Documents We Obtain
Birth certificate – свидетельство о рождении: The most frequently requested document. Required for immigration applications, citizenship procedures, inheritance cases, confirming parentage, enrolling children in schools abroad and many other purposes. We obtain duplicate birth certificates from the ZAGS office at the place of birth registration.
Marriage certificate – свидетельство о заключении брака: Required for immigration applications involving spouses, name change procedures, inheritance cases and other official purposes. We obtain duplicate marriage certificates from the ZAGS office where the marriage was registered.
Divorce certificate – свидетельство о расторжении брака: Required for remarriage abroad, immigration applications and various official procedures confirming marital status. We obtain duplicate divorce certificates from the ZAGS office that registered the divorce.
Death certificate – свидетельство о смерти: Required for inheritance proceedings, pension claims, insurance claims and other official purposes following a death. We obtain duplicate death certificates from the ZAGS office where the death was registered.
Name change certificate – свидетельство об изменении имени: Required when a person has legally changed their name in Belarus and needs to document this for foreign authorities. We obtain duplicate name change certificates from the relevant ZAGS office.
Certificate of premarital surname – справка о добрачной фамилии: Required when a person who changed their surname on marriage needs to prove their previous identity – for matching documents issued in different names. We obtain this certificate from the relevant ZAGS office.
Employment disputes in Belarus
Professional legal assistance in Employment disputes in Belarus.
Documents That Are Difficult to Obtain
Pre-1944 records: Civil status records from before July 1944 – the period before the current Belarusian territory was fully under Soviet administration – may be incomplete, damaged or destroyed as a result of the Second World War. Partially missing records can sometimes be restored through a court procedure in Belarus. We advise on the options for each specific case.
Records from territories that changed jurisdiction: Some areas of what is now Belarus were part of Poland before the Second World War. Records from this period may be held in Polish archives rather than Belarusian ones. We advise on where to search and assist with requests to the relevant archives.
Records of adoptions: Adoption records in Belarus are subject to confidentiality restrictions. Access is limited and requires a specific legal basis. We advise on the available routes for accessing adoption records.
Apostille and Translation After Obtaining the Document
Once the duplicate civil document has been obtained, it typically needs to be apostilled and translated before it can be used abroad.
Apostille: We submit the duplicate to the Ministry of Justice for apostille – authenticating the document for use in Hague Convention countries.
Certified translation: We arrange a notarised translation of the document into English or another required language.
We offer this as a complete service – obtaining the duplicate, apostilling it and providing the certified translation – delivering the full package the client needs for their specific purpose.
Our Services
Marriage certificate recovery
We obtain duplicate marriage certificates from the ZAGS office where the marriage was registered.
Divorce certificate recovery
We obtain duplicate divorce certificates – including cases where the divorce was registered decades ago and the original has been lost.
Death certificate recovery
We obtain duplicate death certificates for inheritance, pension and insurance purposes.
Archive requests
We submit requests to Belarusian state archives for older records – including pre-Soviet and wartime records – where ZAGS offices no longer hold the originals.
Bank Account for Individuals
Open a bank account quickly and securely in Belarus for an individual.
Why choose us
Remote service
We manage the full process by power of attorney – the client does not need to travel to Belarus or visit a Belarusian embassy.
ZAGS expertise
We know the Belarusian civil registry system – which office holds which records, how to handle requests for older documents, and how to navigate cases where records are incomplete or have been transferred to archives.
Complete packages
We combine document recovery with apostille and translation – delivering everything the client needs in one coordinated service.
Difficult cases
We advise on and handle difficult cases – pre-war records, documents that may be held in Polish or other archives, adoption records, and records that need to be restored through a court procedure.
English-speaking
We communicate with clients in English throughout the process.
FAQ
Can I get a duplicate Belarusian birth certificate if I live abroad?
Yes – by issuing a power of attorney to a representative in Belarus. We act as that representative – submitting the request to the relevant ZAGS office and obtaining the duplicate on your behalf. You do not need to travel to Belarus.
What if I do not know which ZAGS office holds my document?
We identify the correct ZAGS office based on the information you provide about where and when the event was registered. For documents registered a long time ago, the records may have been transferred to regional archives. We handle the identification and submission process.
How long does it take to obtain a duplicate civil document?
ZAGS offices process duplicate requests within 15 calendar days as a standard. For archive requests – older documents held in regional or national archives – the process may take longer. We give a specific timeline estimate for each case.
What if the original record was destroyed or is incomplete?
Partially missing or destroyed records can sometimes be restored through a court procedure in Belarus. We advise on the options for each specific case – including whether restoration through the courts is realistic given the available evidence.
Do I need an apostille on the duplicate document?
If you need to use the document in a country outside the CIS – in an EU country, the United States, Israel or elsewhere – you will need an apostille. We arrange the apostille as part of our service. For use in Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and other CIS countries, no apostille is needed.