From 20 January 2026, a child's birth certificate will be removed from the documents accepted for entry into and exit from Russia by children under 14. President Vladimir Putin signed the amendments to the law governing entry and exit. The document was published on the official legal acts publication platform.
Next year, children under 14 will need an international passport to travel abroad. A child who left before the changes took effect without a passport may return to Russia using a birth certificate.
Before the changes took effect, a birth certificate bearing a Russian citizenship mark could be used for travel to certain CIS and friendly countries. From 20 January 2026, children will need an international passport for all foreign travel.