New military certificate in Belarus

Starting from February 11, 2026, the Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus No. 5 dated January 9, 2026, will come into effect in Belarus, introducing a new administrative procedure—the issuance of a certificate confirming an individual's status regarding military service. According to Pavel Kulinenko, Deputy Head of the Department and Head of the Main Organizational and Mobilization Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, the main goal of this procedure is to ensure citizens fulfill their military obligations and to guarantee the accuracy of military registration data. From February 11, 2026, military enlistment offices and their separate divisions will officially issue such certificates to men aged 18 to 27. The certificate is issued free of charge within one working day and is required when obtaining or replacing a passport, driver's license, or when applying for a permit to purchase civilian firearms. Kulinenko clarified that the document will be issued to any male citizen of the specified age who personally applies at a military enlistment office or its subdivision at their place of residence, regardless of whether they are registered for military service or not.

Context

Earlier in 2024, the government modernized the military registration system, strengthening oversight of compliance with civic duties.