Children under 14 now need an international passport to enter and leave Russia

From January 20, 2026, minors under the age of 14 will be able to enter Russia and leave the country only with an international passport; crossing the border with a birth certificate will no longer be permitted.

The rule applies to trips to countries that could previously be entered with a birth certificate: 
➡️Abkhazia
➡️Belarus
➡️Kazakhstan
➡️Kyrgyzstan
➡️South Ossetia

The rule will apply regardless of whether the child is traveling with their parents or with accompanying adults.

If you have already left using a birth certificate before January 20, 2026, the child will be able to return to Russia using it.

It will also be impossible to buy a ticket using a birth certificate.

IMPORTANT
You should still bring the birth certificate with you—it confirms your relationship (that the child is indeed yours).

You can obtain an international passport for a child from the moment of birth.

You can apply for one:
- at a migration issues unit of a territorial body of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia
- at a multifunctional center (MFC)
- through the public services portal (if you have a verified account).

There are two types of international passports: the new type (biometric), valid for 10 years, and the old type, valid for five years (it is currently not possible to fly to every country with this passport).

To obtain a biometric international passport, you must undergo fingerprinting and provide your fingerprints.

The new-type international passport also differs in the amount of the state duty: 
six thousand rubles for adults and children aged 14 and over, and three thousand rubles for children under 14.

Required documents
- A photo of the child (for a 5-year passport).
- Birth certificate details for children under 14, or passport details for children aged 14 and over.
- Passport details of one parent (adoptive parent, guardian, or trustee).
- Details of the children's valid international passports (if any).
- Details of documents confirming a change of the children's full name (if any).
- Details of the children's residence registration certificates (for children under 14, if available).

When you need to submit and collect the documents together with the child

For a new-type passport:
- For children under 14, the child must be present when submitting the documents so that a passport photo can be taken. 
The document can be collected without the child. 
- For children aged 14 to 18, the child must be present both when submitting the documents and collecting the passport.

For an old-type passport: 
➖You can submit the documents and collect the passport without the child if they are under 14.

➖For children aged 14 to 18, the child must be present when submitting the application and collecting the passport.

Source: consultant.ru