Belarusian Citizenship by Descent

Article 13 of the Law on Citizenship makes a child Belarusian at birth if at least one parent is a Belarusian citizen on the date of birth, regardless of the place of birth. Confirmation goes through a Belarusian consulate.

Article 15 allows acquisition by registration for people born or permanently living in Belarus before 12 November 1991, their spouses, and their descendants. Article 14 allows the seven-year residence requirement for admission to be reduced or waived for ethnic Belarusians and their descendants — children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren — born outside Belarus. Both routes require giving up other citizenships.

Belarus doesn't recognise dual citizenship: in Belarus, a Belarusian citizen is treated as Belarusian only. Consular services are limited in many countries, citizens may be subject to military obligations, and many governments advise against travel to Belarus. Weigh these carefully before applying.

1. Contact a Belarusian consulate with your birth certificate and your parent's Belarusian passport (by-birth cases). 2. For registration or admission, gather your ancestor's Soviet-era birth or residence records (propiska) and the linking certificates, translated into Russian or Belarusian. 3. Expect to sign a commitment to give up other citizenships for registration or admission. Consular capacity is limited in many countries, so check availability first.

Olga was born in Lithuania in 2000 to a Belarusian father. Under Article 13 she's Belarusian by birth — though Belarus won't recognise her Lithuanian citizenship.

Mikhail's grandparents lived in Hrodna until 1985 and then moved to Poland. He may be able to acquire Belarusian citizenship by registration under Article 15, but would have to give up other citizenships.