How to renounce Belarusian citizenship

When is it necessary to renounce Belarusian citizenship?

The main factor that encourages Belarusians to voluntarily address the issue of renouncing citizenship is the desire to obtain the status of a citizen of another country, for example the Russian Federation. And since in Russia, as well as in Belarus itself, it is not allowed, it is necessary to make a choice in favor of one state.

By the way, we have already written in more detail about.

In addition to voluntary renunciation of being an indigenous person of the Republic of Belarus, there are options when a person is forced to do this due to circumstances in his life, for example, obtaining a position in the government apparatus of another country.

It could be:

• military service;
• work in the police or security service;
• employment in justice agencies and other government agencies.

Parents can also deprive them of the prospect of obtaining a Belarusian passport. At birth, that civil status is automatically acquired by a child who has a Belarusian father or mother, even if they live in another country. And if they want to register their child as a citizen of another state, then they need to draw up an appropriate application to renounce Belarusian citizenship.

In the above cases, a mechanism such as loss of citizenship is implemented.

What could be the reason for renouncing citizenship of the Republic of Belarus?

Most often, a change in civil status occurs due to obtaining a residence permit or citizenship of another state. This decision is voluntary. But it also happens that the renunciation of Belarusian citizenship when obtaining Russian or any other citizenship occurs due to circumstances weighing on the candidate. One of them may be obtaining a position in the government apparatus, for example:

• in military service;
• in justice institutions;
• in the police and security services;
• in other government agencies.

Sometimes parents can deprive a child of the opportunity to acquire Belarusian citizenship. By law, immediately after birth, a baby is recognized as a Belarusian if his father or mother is also a citizen of the Republic (even when they live abroad).

If the parents decide that the child should be a citizen of another state, they can file a petition to remove him from Belarusian status.

The procedure for a citizen of Belarus to obtain Russian citizenship considers leaving a previous citizenship as a prerequisite.

Once again about “dual” and “second” citizenship

In terms of the topic of refusing a Belarusian passport, it is logical to once again recall the concept of dual citizenship - the status of a citizen of two countries within the framework of treaties concluded between them. A situation where there are no interstate acts, and a person managed to obtain a passport of a foreign state and not surrender his native one, is characterized as second citizenship.

Since no such agreements were signed between Russia and Belarus, therefore, in this case it is legitimate to talk about second citizenship, and not about dual citizenship.

To learn more about how people with two passports are treated on the territory of both states, what the dangers of such a situation are and whether exceptions are possible, read in more detail in the material about.

What does the term “dual citizenship” mean?

In international jurisprudence, it is customary to operate with the concepts of dual and second citizenship. The first applies to persons who have received a passport of another state within the framework of bilateral treaties between countries. Such agreements refer to the mutual recognition of citizens and their identification documents. This allows you to hold two passports simultaneously on equal rights and fulfill the duties of a citizen in your country of permanent residence.

For those who intend to move to the Russian Federation, it will be important to know that the Russian state has not signed any agreements with Belarus. Therefore, if you have two passports, it will be legitimate to talk about second citizenship. Dual citizenship in the Republic of Belarus is not allowed, in fact, as in the Russian Federation.

There is no direct legal ban on holding two civil statuses in the legislation of the countries. Yes, one of the conditions for legalization is the renunciation of previous citizenship. But, since this is a lengthy process, the law considers it sufficient to provide a copy of the application requesting renunciation of citizenship. Thus, some individuals find themselves holding two passports (Russian and Belarusian) at the same time.

Competent government authorities

In the Republic of Belarus itself, issues of renunciation of citizenship are regulated by the following legislative acts:

• Law “On Citizenship of the Republic of Belarus” of August 1, 2002;
• Regulations on the procedure for considering issues related to citizenship of the Republic of Belarus (approved by Presidential Decree No. 209 of November 17, 1994).

For those wishing to settle in Russia, it will also be useful to read the text of the Agreement between the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and the Russian Federation on a simplified procedure for acquiring citizenship dated February 26, 1999.

According to these documents, the authorities where you can submit an application to renounce citizenship are both on the territory of Belarus itself and in other states (diplomatic missions).

Where to go in your homeland

If you are in Belarus, you must contact the regional office of the Department of Citizenship and Migration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs at your place of residence. A list of all territorial divisions with addresses and contacts is posted on the website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

If you live in the Russian Federation

Let's look at how to renounce Belarusian citizenship in Russia. You need to apply to the nearest Belarusian embassy.

Its branches are located in the following cities of the Russian Federation (each “leads” citizens from its region):

• Moscow and Moscow region;
• Yekaterinburg (Tyumen, Kurgan, Sverdlovsk, Chelyabinsk regions, Komi Republic);
• Kazan (Kirov, Ulyanovsk, Saratov regions, the Republics of Mari El, Tatarstan and Chuvashia);
• Kaliningrad (Kaliningrad region);
• Krasnoyarsk (Krasnodar and Transbaikal territories, Irkutsk region, Buryat, Tuva and Khakass republics);
• Nizhny Novgorod (Tambov, Nizhny Novgorod, Penza, Ivanovo, Ryazan, Vladimir, Kostroma regions, Republic of Mordovia);
• Novosibirsk (Novosibirsk, Kemerovo, Tomsk, Omsk regions, Altai Territory);
• Rostov-on-Don (Astrakhan, Rostov, Volgograd regions, Stavropol and Krasnodar territories, the republics of Kalmykia, North Ossetia-Alania, Adygea, Ingushetia, Dagestan, Kabardino-Balkarian, Karachay-Cherkess, Chechen);
• St. Petersburg (the northern capital itself, as well as the Novgorod, Vologda, Leningrad, Pskov, Arkhangelsk, Murmansk regions, the Republic of Karelia);
• Smolensk (Smolensk, Kursk, Voronezh, Bryansk, Tver, Tula, Lipetsk, Belgorod, Oryol and Kaluga regions);
• Ufa (Samara and Orenburg regions, Perm region, republics of Udmurtia and Bashkortostan);
• Khabarovsk (Khabarovsk, Kamchatka and Primorsky territories, Magadan, Sakhalin and Amur regions, Jewish Autonomous Region, Yakutia and Chukotka Autonomous Okrug).

In order for the department to take up the issue, a person must have a passport of the “RR” series (permanent residence outside Belarus has been issued) and he must be registered with the consulate.

How to renounce citizenship

First, take an application form for renunciation of Russian citizenship from the FMS office or the consulate. If desired, you can also find it on the Internet. It must be filled out legibly and without abbreviations in any convenient way (on a computer, on a typewriter or by hand). If you have not worked for some time, then you need to indicate this period and set the status to “unemployed”, indicating your place of residence during this period. Also note that all foreign names (including addresses) are written in Russian letters. Those applying for renunciation of Russian citizenship abroad should take into account that they will have to provide information about the absence of a place of residence in Russia. To do this, you must have a mark in your foreign passport either indicating your permanent stay abroad or indicating that you are registered with the consulate. The first mark is obtained upon discharge at the place of residence, the second - at the consulate. After receiving it, you are automatically deregistered at your place of registration in Russia. All foreign documents must be translated into Russian and notarized - in any case, if you decide to formalize the renunciation of citizenship in Russia.

• passport or international passport (for those living abroad),
• birth certificate,
• marriage certificate (if available),
• application in the prescribed form,
• receipt of payment of state duty.
• Those living in Russia will have to go to the tax office and get a certificate stating that they have paid all due taxes.
• You will also need to provide a notarized translation of a passport of a foreign state, or a document confirming that the citizen has acquired citizenship of another state after he renounces Russian citizenship.

Sequence of steps when refusing a passport

The procedure for renouncing citizenship of the Republic of Belarus is standard and does not depend on the location of the applicant:

• a person submits a package of documents to an official;
• government officials check them and warn them about the consequences of deprivation of status;
• the package of papers is being reviewed;
• a decision is made and communicated to the citizen.

What papers should I attach?

An application requesting permission to renounce citizenship and justifying the reasons for such a decision is written to the president of the country. Those wishing to renounce the status of a citizen of the Republic of Belarus also submit papers (provided in triplicate) identifying themselves and confirming the validity of the request.

So, the set of basic documents includes:

• application form;
• autobiography;
• photo 3x4 (4 pcs.);
• copy of Belarusian passport;
• a copy of papers confirming the citizenship of another country or the intention to obtain it (documents for entry into a foreign country or another document confirming the fact abroad, a passport of another country);
• copy and ;
• receipt of payment of state duty.

Additionally, information may be requested on unfulfilled obligations to the state (non-payment of taxes or debts for housing and communal services), and criminal records.

Even more certificates will have to be collected if the child’s citizenship is being renounced.

In this case, copies of the following children's documents are included in the package of papers:

• birth certificate;
• passport (if a child is 14-18 years old it must already be, for children under 14 years old it is issued as necessary - for crossing the border);
• a document providing the basis for traveling abroad, confirming (or guaranteeing) the acquisition of foreign citizenship.

When only one parent renounces citizenship along with the child, the consent of the other will be required. If it is not possible to obtain a notarized personal permission from the husband (wife), a document explaining the reason is attached, including:

• deprivation of parental rights or cancellation of adoption;
• incapacity of the second parent;
• death of the second parent or the fact of his unknown absence.

Price issue

Refusal of Belarusian citizenship when obtaining Russian citizenship is a paid procedure. In 2021, the state fee is 250 euros, it can be paid in local currency at the national bank exchange rate on the day of application.

How much to wait

According to the legislation of the Republic of Belarus, the period for consideration of an application for renunciation of citizenship should not exceed 6 months.

How to prove lack of citizenship

In some life circumstances, a person may need to confirm his status as a non-citizen of Belarus. You can obtain such a document at the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus or submit a corresponding application through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and a package of certificates and certificates is collected, which, in addition to the standard ones, that is, a passport, application/form, birth and marriage certificates, must include a document , confirming citizenship of another country.

How to obtain Russian citizenship for Belarusians

For decades now, cooperation between Russia and Belarus has continued in many spheres of life. Many Belarusians live and work in Russia. How can citizens of the Republic of Belarus obtain Russian citizenship and do they need to obtain a temporary residence permit?

• military personnel who served under contract in the Russian Federation for at least 3 years,
• children whose at least one parent has Russian citizenship,
• persons who previously had USSR citizenship and live in one of the countries of the former Soviet republics, but have not received citizen status there,
• persons who were born in the RSFSR and previously had USSR citizenship,
• spouses of citizens of the Russian Federation who have been married to them for at least 3 years,
• parents of minor citizens of the Russian Federation,
• individual entrepreneurs who have been operating for at least 3 years on the territory of the Russian Federation and who pay taxes and fees for a calendar year in the amount of at least 1 million rubles,
• investors whose share of the contribution to the enterprise is at least 1/10 for 3 years (the total authorized capital must be at least 100 million rubles), paying taxes and fees in accordance with the law in an amount of at least 6 million rubles,
• persons working for at least 3 years in a profession included in the list of the Order of the Ministry of Labor of the Russian Federation (https://www.consultant.ru/document/cons_doc_LAW_183534/593af9b9152d2136ad11f595136ea1c02b0b9c8c/#dst100009),
• disabled foreign citizens and stateless persons registered in the Russian Federation as of July 1, 2002,
• foreigners who previously had USSR citizenship and were registered in the Russian Federation as of July 1, 2002,
• WWII veterans,
• children and incapacitated persons (clause 6, article 14 of Federal Law-62),
• persons participating in the State Program to Assist Voluntary Resettlement in the Russian Federation,
• native speakers of Russian.

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Reasons for a negative decision

A person’s mere desire to renounce citizenship of the Republic of Belarus is not the basis for a positive solution to the issue.

The authorities may refuse an application if a person:

• is accused (or already has a court verdict) of committing crimes;
• owes the state or its legal entities or individuals (this can be taxes, loans, alimony, etc.);
• is not now or in the future (must be documented) a citizen of another country.

When obtaining Russian citizenship, the Main Directorate for Migration Affairs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs only needs the fact of filing an application to renounce Belarusian citizenship (a photocopy of the application). And while a negative answer comes, a person can already become the owner.

Dual citizenship of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus

Dual citizenship from a legal point of view means having two passports, while a person can fully enjoy the rights of each of the civil statuses.

The legislation of the Republic of Belarus, like the Russian Federation (with some exceptions), does not allow dual citizenship. If a resident of Belarus wants to live permanently in Russia and gain all the rights of a citizen of this country, he must make a choice in favor of Russian citizenship, abandoning Belarusian citizenship.

Only children under 18 years of age can have citizenship of another country while retaining a Belarusian passport if their parents are citizens of another state living in Belarus.