A passport is the primary identity document of a citizen. Every citizen of Belarus from the age of 14 must have a passport. In every person’s life, it may be necessary to replace the passport. This may be due to reaching a certain age, changing your data, or losing your document. In this article, we will look at the procedure for replacing a Belarusian passport on the territory of the Republic of Belarus and the possibility of replacing a passport outside its borders.
Why it is important to know how to replace your Belarusian passport
Replacing a Belarusian passport is a state administrative procedure that may be necessary in various life situations. For example, a passport is changed after reaching a certain age, when the last name or first name is changed, or when it is lost or damaged.
Knowing the procedure for replacing your passport is essential to avoid document problems and ensure you can travel and use government services. Here are a few reasons why this is important:
1. Compliance with the law.
Belarus has a specific procedure for replacing passports, which is regulated by law. Knowledge of this procedure helps citizens to comply with the law and avoid possible problems with law enforcement agencies.
2. The ability to travel.
The passport is the primary document for travelling abroad. If you know how to replace it, you can update the document promptly and avoid problems when crossing the border.
3. Receiving public services.
A passport is often required for various government services, such as marriage registration, pension registration, or obtaining a driver’s license. Knowing how to replace your passport allows you to get these services quickly and easily.
4. Avoid fines and penalties.
Late replacement of the passport may result in fines and other state sanctions. Knowing the replacement procedure helps you avoid these problems.
5. Protection of personal data.
When replacing your passport, you must provide certain documents and information about yourself. Knowing the replacement procedure ensures that your data will only be protected and used by the law.
In general, knowledge of the procedure for replacing a passport is essential for every citizen of Belarus. This helps maintain order and allows you to exercise your rights and obligations freely.
When you need to replace your passport
A passport is issued to Belarusian citizens for ten years. The passport is valid during this period, and at the end of 10 years, it is invalid. The passport validity period is indicated on page 31 of the document. You need to apply for a replacement passport in advance without waiting for the passport to become invalid. For using such a passport, a fine of up to 4 basic units (160 Belarusian rubles) is provided, and when crossing the border – up to 50 basic units (2000 Belarusian rubles).
Within ten years of the passport validity period, there may be circumstances when the passport needs to be changed, for example:
- Change of last name, first name, patronymic. Such personal data is changed, for example, when entering into a marriage, when voluntarily changing the name or patronymic.
- Correction of incorrect passport holder data.
- When the free passport sheets have run out due to the issued visas and stamps.
- When the passport is damaged and unusable, passport details and security features are not readable.
Where to apply for a passport replacement in Belarus
To change your passport, please contact the Citizenship and Migration Division of the internal affairs body or the passport officer of the reference and settlement centre at your place of residence in Belarus.
To exchange your passport, you need to fill out an application. An employee of the Citizenship and Migration Division issues the application form. Together with the application for passport exchange, you must submit:
- Existing passport.
- Photos of 40 by 50 mm – 4 pieces, colour.
- If there are children under 18, then their birth certificates.
- You must bring the documents used to replace your passport if the replacement is not necessary due to the expiration of the passport’s validity period. This can be a marriage certificate document about changing the last name, first name, or patronymic.
- Document confirming payment for passport replacement.
How much does it cost to replace your passport?
Payment for passport replacement depends on the replacement rate chosen by the document owner.
The usual replacement period for your passport is one month. In this case, you must pay one basic amount – 40 Belarusian rubles.
In an expedited procedure, the passport is changed in 15 days. In this case, you must pay two essential amounts – 80 Belarusian rubles.
Persons registered at their residences in Minsk and regional centres can exchange their passports urgently within seven days. In this case, you must pay three essential amounts – 120 Belarusian rubles.
You can order an SMS notification service about a replacement passport.
You can pay for a replacement passport online through the ERIP system or contact your bank.
Days for replacing a passport are counted not as working days but as calendar days starting from applying for replacement.
Passports are exchanged free of charge for children under 14 and persons fully supported by the state.
How to get a new passport
Get a new passport only in the citizenship and migration department at the place of residence, even if the documents for passport exchange were handed over to the settlement centre.
You can find out if your new passport is ready by sending an SMS notification or by calling to check it out.
The Citizenship and Migration Department employee will offer you the chance to check the correctness of filling out your passport and signing it, as well as compare your passport data with the ones they ask you for.
You will also be asked to return your old passport.
What to do when your old passport has valid visas
In practice, many people simply tear out the pages of their passports with valid visas or scan them. You can write an application to the Citizenship and Migration Department with a request not to hand over your passport with a valid visa. In this case, a note about cancellation is made in the passport, except for the pages with visas, and the passport is returned to the owner. When the visa expires, the old passport is handed over.
What to do if your passport is lost abroad
When a passport is lost or stolen abroad, you must contact the police with a statement about the loss (theft). The police draw up a report and issue a certificate of loss (theft) of the passport. This certificate is required to replace your passport.
You need to apply to the Embassy or Consulate of Belarus in the country where you are located or in the neighbouring country if there is no Belarusian representative office in the country where you are located. Such an application aims to obtain a certificate of return to Belarus. The certificate replaces the passport in the country where it was lost.
Usually, for a certificate of return, you must fill out an application form, two photos of 40 by 50 mm, a document from the police and pay a consular fee of 20 euros. Usually, you must write a statement about the circumstances under which the passport disappeared.
It is advisable to submit to the consulate or embassy any document that confirms your identity and citizenship, including a name and photo, or bring witnesses – citizens of Belarus with passports that can verify your identity.
Certificate of return
A certificate of return can be issued on the day of application or later if you need to establish your identity. According to the certificate, you can enter Belarus once but can’t leave Belarus either.
The maximum validity period of the return certificate is six months.
A lost passport is considered invalid.
In Belarus, you must apply to the Citizenship and Migration Department at your residence within a month and submit a certificate of return and documents to obtain a new passport.
Can I replace my Belarusian passport abroad?
Many Belarusian citizens work in other countries, and previously, their passports could be replaced at the Belarusian embassy in the host country.
Starting September 2023, Belarusian citizens who live abroad and are registered as consulates there will be unable to exchange or renew their Belarusian passports at diplomatic missions and consular offices abroad.
Citizens of Belarus who live abroad should apply for a replacement passport to the internal affairs bodies at the place of last registration in Belarus or at the place of residence in Belarus (when the registration is preserved).
How to contact us
For more information or advice on issues related to replacement of a Belarusian passport, do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to help and support you.
Phone and email communication options are available for your convenience:
- +375293664477 (WhatsApp/Telegram/Viber);
- info@spex.by.
