Family law for foreigners in Ukraine: marriage, divorce, children, and document recognition in 2025

Family law in Ukraine has certain peculiarities that are important for foreigners planning to build their lives here to know. Learn how to legalize a foreign marriage, get a divorce remotely, protect your rights to your child, and other legal nuances

Legal assistance on entry, stay and legalization of foreigners in Ukraine

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Ukraine is becoming increasingly open to foreigners — some come on humanitarian missions, others do business or build personal relationships. But when it comes to marriage, divorce, or child-related issues, even the strongest relationships can encounter legal complications. In this article, we will look at the key points that foreigners need to know about family law in Ukraine.

Marriage to a foreigner in Ukraine: conditions and procedure

Is it possible to marry a Ukrainian citizen or a foreigner in Ukraine? Yes, marriage between a foreigner and a Ukrainian citizen or between two foreigners is possible in Ukraine. To do so, both parties must provide:

● a passport (with an official translation into Ukrainian and notarized),

● a document confirming legal residence in Ukraine (visa, temporary/permanent residence permit),

● a certificate from the country of citizenship stating that the person is not married (with an apostille or consular legalization and translation).

The last point is the most problematic. In some countries, such a certificate is not issued or requires a lengthy bureaucratic procedure. In such cases, lawyers advise consulting with migration specialists who will help you correctly fill out an application stating that there are no obstacles to marriage.

Terms: The standard term for registering a marriage is 30 days from the date of application, but it can be reduced to 1 day through the “marriage in a day” service.

Read also: Will you get Ukrainian citizenship if you marry a Ukrainian?

How to recognize a foreign marriage or divorce in Ukraine?

If a marriage or divorce was concluded abroad, it must be recognized in Ukraine in order to be used for legalization, obtaining a residence permit, inheritance, etc. To do this:

● the document must be legalized (apostille/consular legalization) and translated into Ukrainian,

● you must submit an application for recognition to the Ministry of Justice or a court (depending on the situation).

Divorce from a foreigner: what you need to know

How to file for divorce in Ukraine?

Marriage can be dissolved:

● through the Civil Registry Office if both parties agree and do not have joint minor children;

● through the court if there are children, one of the parties is against or has disappeared.

Is it possible to get a divorce remotely?

Yes, a foreigner can issue a power of attorney to a lawyer in Ukraine who will represent their interests in court. This is especially relevant if you no longer live in Ukraine.

What to do if one of the spouses is abroad?

It is important to find out whether a Ukrainian divorce is recognized in another country — sometimes additional paperwork or a court decision is required to legalize it.

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Children and family law: foreigners' rights to children in Ukraine

Foreign parents have the same rights and obligations towards their children as Ukrainian citizens if their parenthood is officially recognized (entry in the birth certificate or a separate court decision).

The most common problematic situations:

1. Taking a child abroad without the consent of the other parent. In such cases, a ban or restriction may be imposed by a court.

2. Child support from a foreign citizen living abroad. In such cases, an international court decision and its enforcement through a foreign jurisdiction may be required.

3. Disagreements regarding permission for a child to leave the country. If one of the parents does not give consent, it can be obtained through a court decision in Ukraine.

Legal assistance in such cases is especially important, as even a minor mistake in the wording of the application or lack of evidence can complicate or delay the process for months.

Legal support for family matters for foreigners in Ukraine: how can we help?

The Visit Ukraine legal team offers qualified assistance to foreigners in family law matters, including advice and support on:

● marriage and registration of documents for the Civil Registry Office;

● divorce proceedings, including remotely;

● cases of paternity, alimony, child removal;

● recognition of foreign civil status documents in Ukraine.

Contact our specialists — you will receive not only advice, but also practical solutions without the risk of delays or refusals.

We remind you! A residence permit in Ukraine opens up more opportunities than you think. Read about 10 non-obvious advantages of a residence permit in Ukraine that you should know before moving in our previous article.

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

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