Volgograd explained what documents the child needs to travel abroad
Member of the State Duma Committee on Tourism and Development of Tourist Infrastructure Sergey Krivonosov told RIA Novosti what documents parents should pay attention to when planning a trip with a child.
The main document is the child’s passport. From January 20, 2026, it is mandatory for children under 14 years of age when leaving Russia for any foreign country, even where it was previously allowed to enter on a birth certificate. It is also important to check its validity: many countries require that the passport remains valid for several months after the end of the trip.
A birth certificate is worth taking with you, although it no longer replaces a passport at the border. The document confirms the relationship of the child and the accompanying adult – this is especially important if they have different surnames. In such a situation, it is also useful to have papers proving the name change (for example, a marriage certificate).
Particular attention is paid to notarial consent to leave. If a child goes abroad not with his parents, but with relatives or other accompanying person, a notarized consent of one of the legal representatives will be required.
In addition, before traveling, it is necessary to find out whether the child needs a separate visa, an electronic entry permit or other documents according to the rules of the country of destination. When itinerary with transfers should take into account the requirements of not only the end point of the trip, but also the transit countries.
Sergey Krivonosov advises to study the current rules of entry in advance: they can be found on the official websites of consulates and migration agencies, as well as check with the airline or other carrier.
