Traveling a child abroad is an essential and responsible procedure that requires compliance with the rules established by the legislation of the Republic of Belarus. Parents and legal representatives must consider several nuances to avoid unpleasant situations when crossing border control. Since 2024, updated provisions have been in force to regulate the procedure for minors crossing the state border, so it is essential to familiarize yourself with the current requirements.
Depending on whether the child is accompanied by one parent, both parents, a third party, or is travelling alone, different conditions are established, including those concerning consent to travel. In addition, special attention is paid to cases where there are disputes or restrictions on travel between parents and situations that involve temporary restrictions on the child’s right to travel.
In this article, we will look at :
In what cases is a parent’s notarized consent required?
What are the special features of traveling as part of organized groups?
What documents will be required at the border?
What to do in controversial or conflict situations.
We will also recommend preparing for travel and ensuring your child’s safe stay abroad.
Knowing the current requirements will help avoid misunderstandings and ensure the safety of minors when crossing the border.
Travelling abroad with a child accompanied by both parents
If a minor citizen of the Republic of Belarus crosses the border accompanied by both parents, the registration procedure is considered the simplest. In this case, for the unimpeded exit, the following will be required:
A valid passport for the child
Documents that confirm the relationship with parents. Usually, information about parents is included in their passports or the child’s birth certificate, which border guards may request in case of doubt.
Visa (if required):
- When entering countries that require a visa for Belarus citizens, the child must have his or her own visa or be entered into the parent’s visa (if the visa rules of the destination country allow it).
- It is important to note that if both parents accompany the child, notarized consent for travel is not usually required.
- Peculiarities of a child traveling with parents
- Joint travel of a child and parents confirms mutual consent to travel abroad.
- Consent from third parties (e.g., grandparents or guardians ) is not required if the child travels with both parents.
Exception: if one of the parents is included in the state list of persons restricted in their right to travel abroad, or if there are court orders against the child, a separate court order or compliance with the requirements of the law on temporary restrictions will be required.
It is also worth remembering:
In the case of crossing the border as part of international air traffic ( through airports ), passport control officers may additionally request information about the purpose of the trip and the intended route.
If you are staying for a long time (for example, when studying or moving ), you may need additional documents, such as a certificate of study or documents for permanent residence ( if provided by the host country ).
A child leaving without parents
If a minor travels abroad without being accompanied by parents, for example, as part of an organized group or with an accompanying person ( grandmother, grandfather, coach) to participate in competitions, health programs, for treatment, or other reasons, the written consent of both parents is required.
In some cases, instead of consent, the following documents can be provide:
- A copy of the court decision permitting departure without the consent of one of the parents.
- A copy of the court decision to deprive the parent of parental rights from whom it is impossible to obtain consent.
- A copy of the court decision recognizing the parent as incompetent.
- The competent authorities issued a certificate of search for the second parent.
- Death certificate of the second parent.
- A certificate from the territorial civil registry office on the entry of a record of the child’s father based on the mother’s words in the absence of marriage registration.
- Other official documents that confirm the impossibility of obtaining consent.
If a child is sent abroad to receive medical care without being accompanied by parents, then, in addition to the permission of one of them, a decision is also required from the commission under the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus on sending citizens outside the country for treatment.
For children who reside abroad on a permanent basis and cross the border without parents ( or guardians ), written consent from one of the legal representatives and a passport, which gives the right to enter and exit Belarus, are necessary.
A separate list of necessary documents is provided for orphans or children under guardianship. If necessary, our lawyer will consult you on this issue and accompany you in collecting the documents.
Group trips for children
When organizing group trips for children abroad, for treatment, health improvement, or medical care, the accompanying person must have written consent from one of the children’s parents. This document is presented to border or customs service employees when crossing the border.
If it is impossible to obtain the consent of one of the parents, one of the alternative documents listed earlier is presented ( for example, a court decision on permission to leave without the consent of the second parent, a certificate of search, a death certificate, and other official confirmations ).
In addition, the accompanying person must also have an additional package of documents, which/they must also present at the border. Among the mandatory documents is a list of children and accompanying persons certified by an organization that has the right to carry out activities for the health improvement of children abroad.
Given possible changes in document requirements, we recommend that you consult with our lawyer in advance to obtain an accurate list of the necessary documents for safe and legal border crossing.
Who certifies consent for a child to leave the country?
Consent for a child to travel abroad must be officially certified. This is done by a notary or other official authorized to perform notarial acts. Such persons include, for example, chief physicians of medical institutions, commanders of military units, and other officials vested with the appropriate powers.
In some cases, consent may be certified by the territorial division for citizenship and migration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus at the place of residence of the parent ( guardian ) or the minor himself.
If the parent or guardian is a foreign citizen outside Belarus, the consent for the child to leave is certified by the competent authorities of the foreign state. Such consent must be apostilled (if applicable), translated into Russian or Belarusian, and the accuracy of the translation or the translator’s signature must be notarized.
We recommend that you seek advice from our qualified lawyers on all questions related to obtaining consent for a child to travel abroad.
What to do when there is a dispute between parents about a child leaving the country
If one of the parents objects to the child leaving Belarus, he/she has the right to apply to the court with a reasoned statement. The court decision may establish a different procedure for the minor’s departure. Similarly, a parent denied consent for the child to leave also has the right to apply to the court to resolve the dispute.
How to determine in advance the procedure for a child’s departure from Belarus
To avoid possible conflicts when planning a child’s trip without parents (for example, with relatives or as part of a group ), you can secure the departure procedure in legal documents in advance. This can be done:
- In the Marriage Agreement
- In the agreement on children
These documents may indicate that the child has the right to travel abroad without the other parent’s consent. The original or a copy of the relevant document must be presented at the border if such a record is available. Issues of preparing or amending the Marriage Contract and the Agreement on Children are best resolved with the support of experienced lawyers so that all wording complies with legal requirements.
How to change the child’s departure procedure through the court
A parent who disagrees with the existing procedure for the child’s departure has the right to apply to the court to determine the rules for crossing the border by minors.
Also, the parent raising the child may apply to the court with a request to allow the child to travel abroad for treatment, as part of a sports or health group, without the other parent’s consent, if the latter unreasonably refuses to give it.
Our lawyers are ready to advise you on preparing applications, drafting the necessary documents, and representing your interests in court.
Practical recommendations for parents and accompanying persons
Preparing for a child’s trip abroad requires special attention. To avoid common mistakes, we recommend:
1. Check the validity of document
Ensure the child has a valid passport or other document that allows them to cross the border. The passport must be valid not only for the departure date but also for the expected time of stay abroad, and in some countries, it must exceed it by 3–6 months.
2. Arrange visas and permits in advance
If a visa is required to enter the destination country, apply for it in advance. Additional permits may be required for some categories of travel (for example, medical treatment ).
3. Prepare a properly executed consent to leave
The consent must be certified by a notary; if necessary, an apostille and a notarized translation may be required.
4. Check the availability of all accompanying documents
- Original or copy of birth certificate
- Medical insurance that is valid abroad
- Power of attorney for an accompanying person (if the child is not traveling with parents)
- List of the group with the certification of the authorized organization (for group travel)
5. Clarify the special requirements of the host country
Some countries may have additional rules for entry of minors (for example, the mandatory consent of the second parent or a separate power of attorney ).
6. Have copies of all necessary documents
Make photocopies of your passport, visa, birth certificate, health insurance, and consents . Keep the copies separate from the originals.
Recommendations for child safety abroad
To ensure that your child’s trip abroad is safe and peaceful, we recommend:
1. Explain to the child the basic rules of behavior
Tell us who to contact for help in an emergency, how to behave with strangers, and what to do if you lose documents or contact with your escort.
2. Ensure constant communication
It is desirable that the child has a mobile phone with activated international communication or a local SIM card and knows the main phone numbers of the parents, the accompanying person, and the consulate of Belarus.
3. Give your child a list of emergency contacts
In addition to the phone numbers of parents and accompanying persons, include the phone numbers of the hotel, tour operator, and the nearest representatives of Belarus’s diplomatic institutions in the list.
4. Make sure you have health insurance
The insurance policy must cover emergency medical care, hospitalization, repatriation, and other significant risks.
5. Instruct the accompanying person
The accompanying person must know the child’s health status and any chronic diseases or characteristics ( allergies, medication intake ), and must also have the necessary medications and instructions for their use.
6. Check accommodation conditions and routes
If you are travelling as part of a group, please ensure that the accommodation conditions and the stay programme comply with safety requirements.
Conclusion
Traveling a child abroad requires careful preparation and strict compliance with all requirements of the legislation of the Republic of Belarus and the destination country. Correct paperwork, knowledge of possible legal nuances, and timely resolution of contentious issues will help avoid problems at the border and ensure a safe trip.
Each situation is individual, especially if we are talking about a child leaving without parents, accompanied by third parties, or if there are disagreements between the parents. We recommend that you seek advice from our experienced lawyers to ensure that the documents are drawn up correctly and all legal formalities are observed.
Our specialists can prepare the necessary documents, advise on the procedure to follow in controversial situations, and provide support at all stages of travel arrangements.
Contact us
If you have any questions related to child’s departure abroad from Belarus, we will be happy to help! Our long-term experience will help you choose a lawyer to represent your interests.
- +37529142-27-19 (WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram);
- info@ambylegal.by.
