Belarus Passport Validity: How Long Do They Last?

The validity of a Belarusian passport depends on the age of the passport holder when it was issued. If a person obtains a passport at the age of 45, it will be valid for 55 years. However, as of mid-2012, Belarus has only been issuing passports with 10 years of validity. These passports have blue covers and are valid for both external and internal travel.

Passports last between one and 55 years, depending on the age of the holder when issued

The validity of a Belarusian passport depends on the age of the holder when it is issued. Passports issued to minors can be valid for up to 55 years, while those issued to adults are only valid for 10 years.

Belarusian passports are issued to citizens of all ages. However, it is only when citizens turn 14 that they are encouraged to obtain a passport. This is because, until 2008, Belarusian citizens needed to apply for permission stamps in their passports to cross the country's borders.

The validity of a Belarusian passport can range from one year to 55 years. If a passport is obtained at the age of 45, it will be valid for 55 years. This means that, for the most part, Belarusian passports are valid for the majority of a citizen's adult life.

Since 2012, Belarus has only issued passports with a 10-year validity. This change in policy means that citizens now need to renew their passports more frequently, which can be an inconvenience, especially for those living abroad.

Passports cannot be renewed outside Belarus

A Belarusian passport is a document issued to citizens of Belarus for external and internal travel. It is a blue passport with the words "Republic of Belarus" and "Passport" in English, Belarusian and Russian in gold lettering on the outside front cover. The seal of Belarus also appears on the front cover.

In September 2023, Decree No. 278 "On the Procedure for Issuing Documents and Performing Actions" came into effect, which has left thousands of Belarusians living abroad stranded as they cannot renew their passports outside of the country. This means that Belarusians wishing to renew their passports must now personally travel to Belarus to do so. This has proven difficult for those who have publicly expressed views against the government, as they face imprisonment if they return to the country.

Previously, Belarusians could renew their passports at embassies and consulates abroad. Now, consulates have lost the authority to exchange passports or extend their validity period. The only procedures that consuls can perform with passports are to withdraw them and issue certificates for return to Belarus.

This has proven to be a significant challenge for Belarusians living abroad, as they are faced with the choice of either returning to Belarus and risking imprisonment or exploring alternative options for obtaining travel documents. It is important to note that this decree also affects other areas such as real estate and education, further complicating matters for those affected.

For U.S. citizens with dual citizenship in Belarus, it is important to ensure that their Belarusian passports are valid for their entire stay in Belarus. In the event of passport loss or theft, it is recommended to carry Apostilled copies of any U.S.-issued birth or marriage certificates to facilitate the process of obtaining a new Belarusian passport.

Passports are issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Belarusian passports have blue covers and contain the following information:

• Given name, surname, and patronymic name (the latter only in Belarusian and Russian)
• Identification number
• Signature of the issuing authority
• Code of the issuing state (BLR)
• Consular stamps (for those who live abroad)
• Information about children under 16 (if any)
• Information regarding marital status and the spouse's details (if any)
• Moving abroad permission stamps

The validity of a Belarusian passport depends on the age of the holder when it was issued, ranging from one year to 55 years (if obtained at the age of 45). Since mid-2012, Belarus has only issued passports with a 10-year validity.

It is important to note that, as of September 2023, Belarusian citizens can no longer exchange or extend their passports at embassies and consulates abroad. They must personally come to Belarus to do so. This has caused difficulties for those who cannot or will not return to the country, with tens of thousands of citizens effectively stranded abroad.

Additionally, dual citizens of the United States and Belarus should be aware of passport requirements when travelling. While Belarusian law requires the use of Belarusian passports for entry and departure, U.S. immigration law mandates the use of U.S. passports for American citizens entering or exiting the United States.

Passports are blue, with gold lettering on the front cover

The passports of Belarus are blue, with gold lettering on the front cover. The standard passport is officially known as the National Passport and is issued to all citizens at the age of 14, or under 14 for travel purposes. The front cover features the words "Republic of Belarus" and "Passport" in English, Belarusian and Russian, with the seal of Belarus also appearing. The passport's number is perforated on the first 16 pages, and the inside back page contains biographical data covered by a plastic laminate. This back page is machine-readable. The pages are beige, and if held to the light, reflect the Cyrillic letters P and B for the Republic of Belarus, visible in a block pattern running horizontally and vertically.

The passport contains the following information, printed in Belarusian, Russian and English: given name, surname and patronymic name (the latter only in Belarusian and Russian), identification number, signature of the issuing authority, code of the issuing state (BLR), consular stamps (for those living abroad), information about children under 16 (if any), and information regarding marital status and the spouse's details (if any).

The validity of the passport varies depending on the age of the holder when it was issued, ranging from one year to 55 years (if obtained at the age of 45). Since mid-2012, Belarus has only issued passports with a 10-year validity.

In addition to the standard passport, there are three other types: the Diplomatic Passport, the Official (Service) Passport, and the Travel Document. The Diplomatic Passport is dark green and features the words "Republic of Belarus" and "Diplomatic Passport" in gold lettering on the front cover, along with the seal of Belarus. The Official (Service) Passport is red burgundy, with similar gold lettering and the country's seal. The Travel Document, issued in lieu of the National Passport to stateless persons residing in Belarus, is light brown, with "Republic of Belarus" in gold lettering.

Passports contain information in Belarusian, Russian, and English

The information on the first pages of a Belarusian passport is presented in Belarusian, Russian, and English. This includes the coat of arms and the words "Passport of a citizen of the Republic of Belarus".

Pages 30 and 31 of a Belarusian passport contain records in Belarusian and Russian, including the holder's:

• Surname
• Name
• Patronymic name
• Date of birth
• Personal number
• Place of birth
• Date of issue
• Date of expiry
• Issuing authority

The final pages of a Belarusian passport contain information about the holder's children under 16 (if any), as well as their marital status and their spouse's details (if applicable). This section also includes permission stamps for moving abroad.

The validity of a Belarusian passport depends on the age of the passport holder when it was issued. Passports can be valid for anywhere from one year to 55 years. For example, if the passport holder was 45 years old when the passport was issued, it will be valid for 10 years. Since mid-2012, Belarus has been issuing passports that are valid for 10 years only.

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