Working with Documents and Citizenship in Belarus

Apostille and Legalization of Documents

Whatever the purpose of your move — study, work, marriage, family ties, or purchasing real estate — you must legalize your documents in accordance with the requirements of the country where they will be used. Otherwise, your documents will be considered invalid outside your home country. ⠀ The simplified legalization procedure is the apostille, which looks like a square stamp (9×9 cm) or a separate sheet attached to the document, confirming the authenticity of the signature, seal, and position of the person who issued the document. This is not just an “extra piece of paper,” but an international standard that simplifies the recognition of your documents by Belarusian authorities.

*The correct stress in the word “apostille” falls on the third syllable — apostille (Fr. apostille).

Why does a migrant in Belarus need this?

Without an apostille, Belarusian authorities (OGiM, Registry Office, courts) will not accept a document issued in another country. For example:

✔️birth certificate with an apostille → confirms your identity when applying for a TRP;
✔️marriage certificate with an apostille → proves kinship when restoring citizenship;
✔️diploma with an apostille → is recognized for employment or university admission.

Which documents require an apostille?

An apostille is placed on official documents issued by authorized state bodies (i.e., in the country where the document was issued!):

✔️birth certificates, marriage certificates, and certificates from the Registry Office regarding name changes;
✔️vcertificates of no criminal record;
✔️educational diplomas and transcripts (if you plan to work based on them);
✔️high school diplomas + grade transcripts (for children) for admission to educational institutions in Belarus.

Do not require an apostille:

✔️passports and ID cards;
✔️Soviet documents;
✔️real estate purchase and sale agreements;
✔️certificates and statements from schools or doctors;
✔️other internal certificates (verify with your specific OGiM).

Who issues the apostille?

Usually, this is done by a notary.

Important! You cannot get an apostille if the document:

— is laminated;
— is damaged;
— contains corrections;
— includes unreadable lines / blurred or faded seals;
— has stains that cover part of a word.

Validity period: The apostille is permanent, but the documents themselves may have limitations (for example, a certificate of no criminal record is typically valid for 6 months).

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Result: Migrant’s Checklist

✅ Obtain the apostille before departure in the country where the document was issued — this cannot be done in Belarus.
✅ Don’t get confused: an apostille is placed on the original or a notarized copy, but not on a simple photocopy.
✅ After the apostille — get a notarized translation in Belarus.
✅ Handle documents with an apostille carefully: re-issuance will take time and money.

An apostille is not an obstacle, but a tool. It turns a “foreign piece of paper” into a document that Belarusian authorities will accept without unnecessary questions. Prepare your package in advance — and the registration process will go like clockwork: the documents will be accepted on the first try, and your time and nerves will remain intact.

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For restoration of citizenship, document translation, and certificates of no criminal record — read the sub-sections.