Parents often assume that a child always needs the other parent’s notarised consent in order to travel abroad. Under Russian law, this is not always the case. The applicable rules depend on who is travelling with the child, whether the other parent has submitted a formal objection to the child’s departure, what documents are required by the destination country, and whether a visa is needed.

It is therefore important to distinguish between:

• the rules for leaving Russia;
• the rules for entering another country;
• consular requirements for obtaining a visa;
• the rules of the airline or other carrier.

A document that is sufficient for crossing the Russian border may not be sufficient for obtaining a visa or entering the destination country.

As a general rule, a minor Russian citizen may leave the Russian Federation with one legal representative without the other parent’s notarised consent. This rule applies where the other legal representative has not submitted a formal objection to the child’s departure from Russia.

Accordingly, for the purposes of crossing the Russian border, the other parent’s consent is usually not required where the child travels with:

• the mother;
• the father;
• an adoptive parent;
• a guardian or custodian.

However, the destination country may impose its own requirements. The other parent’s consent may be required:

• for obtaining a visa;
• at foreign border control;
• to confirm the accompanying parent’s authority;
• where the parent and child have different surnames;
• where the law of the destination country requires it.

Before travelling, the parents should therefore check the requirements of the relevant consulate and the border authorities of the destination country.

The main document for a Russian child travelling abroad is the child’s own international passport. From 20 January 2026, a birth certificate is generally no longer used as a stand-alone travel document for Russian children under 14 travelling to a number of States where such travel was previously possible. It is therefore advisable to obtain a document confirming the child’s identity abroad in advance.

Depending on the circumstances, the following documents may also be required:

• the child’s birth certificate;
• documents confirming a change of surname;
• a visa;
• medical insurance;
• the other parent’s notarised consent;
• a certified translation of the consent;
• documents proving the relationship between the child and the accompanying adult;
• a court order permitting travel;
• documents required by the carrier.

It is still advisable to carry the birth certificate, especially where the child and the accompanying parent have different surnames. However, a birth certificate does not replace an international passport where a passport is required for crossing the border.

If the child leaves Russia without a legal representative, for example with a grandmother, grandfather, coach, teacher or group leader, notarised consent from one legal representative is required. The consent should specify:

• the period of travel;
• the State or States the child intends to visit;
• where necessary, details of the accompanying person.

The destination country, consulate or carrier may additionally require the consent of both parents, a translation, an apostille or other formalities. It is therefore better to prepare the consent with the specific route, purpose and destination-country requirements in mind rather than issuing a broad consent “for all countries until adulthood.”

Russian law allows a minor to leave the country without the parents where the necessary documents and notarised consent are available. However, the child’s ability to travel independently also depends on:

• the child’s age;
• the airline’s rules;
• the availability of an unaccompanied minor service;
• transfer arrangements;
• the rules of the destination country;
• whether the child is permitted to stay in a hotel alone.

A carrier may set its own minimum age for independent travel and may require the parents to purchase an unaccompanied minor service. The airline’s rules should therefore be checked before buying the ticket.

Visa requirements and the rules for leaving Russia are not the same. Even where Russian law allows a child to travel with one parent without the other parent’s consent, a foreign consulate may require such consent before issuing a visa.

The consulate may ask for:

• notarised consent from the other parent;
• a copy of that parent’s passport;
• a certified translation;
• the child’s birth certificate;
• evidence that one parent has sole parental responsibility;
• a court order;
• the other parent’s death certificate;
• evidence that the other parent’s whereabouts are unknown.

Requirements may change, so they should be checked immediately before the visa application is filed.

The first step is to determine whether consent is legally required at all. If the child is travelling with one parent and no formal objection to departure has been submitted, the other parent’s notarised consent is usually not required for crossing the Russian border.

However, consent may still be required:

• for a visa;
• for entry into the destination country;
• for obtaining a residence permit;
• for long-term education;
• for medical treatment;
• for permanent relocation.

If the other parent has submitted a formal objection to the child’s departure, the matter may need to be resolved by a court.

For more information, see “Travel Ban for a Child: How to Check and Remove It.”

Consent to a holiday, school break, medical treatment or temporary education does not automatically amount to consent to the child’s permanent residence in another country. If a dispute arises, the court may examine:

• the purpose of the trip;
• the agreed duration;
• whether return tickets were purchased;
• the parents’ correspondence;
• the child’s school arrangements;
• whether long-term accommodation was obtained;
• whether a residence permit was applied for;
• whether the child’s home and ordinary life remained in the previous country;
• the parents’ conduct after departure.

Where a child travelled lawfully but was not returned after the agreed trip, the situation may amount to wrongful retention. For more information, see “Child Not Returned after an Agreed Trip: Wrongful Retention Abroad.”

Yes. The consent may list several States and cover a specific period. However, overly broad wording may create uncertainty. The document should preferably define:

• the countries of travel;
• the period for which the consent is valid;
• the purpose of the trips;
• the accompanying person;
• whether multiple trips are permitted;
• the expected duration of each trip.

Where there is a serious conflict between the parents, the wording of the consent is particularly important. It should permit necessary travel without creating the impression that the parent agreed to permanent relocation.

Before purchasing tickets, it is advisable to:

1. Check the validity of the child’s international passport.
2. Confirm the destination country’s entry requirements.
3. Check the visa rules.
4. Verify whether a travel restriction is in force.
5. Prepare documents proving the relationship with the child.
6. Check the carrier’s rules.
7. Obtain notarised consent if the child is travelling without a legal representative.
8. Agree the return dates and preserve the correspondence.
9. Check whether translation or legalisation is required.
10. Where there is a parental conflict, record in writing that the trip is temporary.

Does a Child Need the Father’s Consent to Travel with the Mother?

For leaving Russia, usually not, provided the father has not submitted a formal objection. However, consent may be required for a visa or entry into the destination country.

Does a Child Need the Mother’s Consent to Travel with the Father?

The same rule applies: separate consent is usually not required for crossing the Russian border if no official restriction is in force.

Can a Child Travel on a Birth Certificate?

From 20 January 2026, a birth certificate is generally no longer a stand-alone travel document for a Russian child under 14 in a number of situations where it was previously accepted. The current rules for the relevant border should be checked and the child should have an appropriate passport.

Is the Consent of Both Parents Required If the Child Travels with a Grandmother?

For leaving Russia, notarised consent from one legal representative is usually sufficient. However, the destination country or consulate may require the consent of both parents.

Does Notarised Consent Mean Permission to Relocate?

Not necessarily. Consent to a trip and consent to a permanent change of residence are different legal issues.

For a child travelling from Russia with one parent, the other parent’s notarised consent is generally not required if no formal objection to departure has been submitted.

However, it is still necessary to check:

• the child’s documents;
• the rules of the destination country;
• visa requirements;
• the carrier’s rules;
• whether a travel restriction is in force;
• the scope of the parents’ agreement.

Particular care is needed where the child is travelling for long-term education, treatment or to spend time with the other parent abroad. In such cases, it is important to distinguish clearly between a temporary trip and permanent relocation.

This material does not constitute legal advice and is published for informational purposes only.