Changing a child’s last name
According to the CBS of the Republic of Belarus, the surname of the child is given by the surname of the parents. If the parents have different surnames, then the surname of the child is determined by agreement between them, and the child may also be given a double surname, which consists of the surnames of the father and mother.
The child’s proper name is chosen by the parents. Parents can give their child a double name. The registry office does not have the right to refuse parents to name the child at their request, unless the name is contrary to public morality and national traditions.
Patronymic is given to the child by the name of the father.
The surname of the child does not change when the parents divorce. If the parent with whom the child lives after the divorce wishes to give him his last name, then the child’s last name can be changed by decision of the guardianship and guardianship authority only based on the interests of the child. In the same manner, the issue of changing the child’s surname in the event of deprivation of one of the parents of parental rights is resolved.
When a minor reaches the age of 10, changing his surname without fail requires his consent, which is revealed by the guardianship and guardianship authorities.
Change of the child’s own name and patronymic
The child’s name may be changed in the following cases:
– at the request of the parents within a year after the registration of the birth, if the registry office recorded the name of the child without taking into account the wishes of the parents;
– at the request of the parents within 6 years from the date of birth of the child;
– with the consent of the child and the body of guardianship and guardianship until the age of 16 of the child, if he does not bear the name that was given to him at birth;
– when adopting a child.
The patronymic of the child changes if the father of the child changes his name in accordance with the procedure established by law. The patronymic of the child can also be changed upon adoption and in the case when the biological father of the child is not the one that was recorded at his birth.
Changing the citizenship of a child
The citizenship of a child changes if the citizenship of his parents changes. This general rule applies to children under 14 years of age.
If the parents have changed citizenship, and their child is between 14 and 18 years old, then the child’s citizenship is changed only with his written consent, certified by a notary.
If the parents who change citizenship wish, the child retains Belarusian citizenship.
Thus, for children under 14 years of age, the main conditions for changing citizenship are:
– change of citizenship of parents;
– the will of the parents to change the citizenship of the child.
For minors from 14 to 18 years old, there is another condition – their own desire, confirmed by a notary.
Changing the child’s place of residence
The place of residence of the child after the divorce of the parents changes:
– by mutual consent of the parents;
– in a judicial proceeding in the absence of such consent.
When changing the place of residence of a child, the court takes into account the following factors:
– which of the parents takes care of the child more?
– which parent is the child more attached to?
– the age of the child (when he reaches 10 years old, his opinion about where and with whom he wants to live is clarified);
– personal qualities of parents;
– the condition of the living quarters of each of the parents;
– other circumstances relevant to the litigation.
It is important to bear in mind that before going to court, former spouses have the right to resolve the dispute about the place of residence of the child through a mediator.
