Marriage to a foreigner: how to recognize it in Ukraine and obtain a residence permit — explained by lawyers from Visit Ukraine

Are you planning to move to Ukraine with a foreign husband or wife? Find out how to recognize a marriage concluded abroad in Ukraine and obtain a residence permit for one of the spouses using a real request to VU lawyers as an example

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

HELP

More and more Ukrainian citizens are marrying foreigners abroad. However, when a married couple plans to move to Ukraine, many legal questions arise: how to legalize a marriage concluded outside Ukraine, whether it is necessary to obtain a visa, how to apply for a residence permit for a foreign spouse? In this article, Visit Ukraine lawyers provide step-by-step instructions to help you avoid confusion with documents, based on a real request from one of our clients.

Request: How to legalize a marriage with a French citizen who is registered in France? We are planning to come to Ukraine with my husband, so what documents do I need to prepare for him, which documents need to be apostilled and translated, what visa does he need (if necessary), what to do in Ukraine, where to go. Also, how do I apply for a residence permit for my husband (I am a citizen of Ukraine, he is a citizen of France)?

How to legalize a marriage concluded abroad in Ukraine – consultation with a lawyer Visit Ukraine

If you have officially registered your marriage abroad (in this case, in France) but want it to be legally valid in Ukraine, you need to go through the procedure of its recognition. This is called legalization of a foreign civil status act.

What documents are required for the recognition of a marriage in Ukraine?

Preparation for entry into Ukraine and subsequent recognition of marriage includes the collection of the following documents:

● Marriage certificate issued abroad (Acte de Mariage in France) with an apostille;

● Official translation of the marriage certificate into Ukrainian (certified by a notary or a translator registered in Ukraine);

● Passport of a foreign citizen (in this case, France) with a notarized translation of the first page (containing personal data);

● A copy of your Ukrainian passport or ID card;

● Medical insurance for your foreign spouse for the entire duration of their stay in Ukraine (required for obtaining a visa/crossing the border, if a visa is required);

● A joint application by the spouses to the DRACS authority for recognition of the marriage.

How to apply for recognition of marriage in Ukraine?

Upon arrival in Ukraine, you must submit an application to the DRACS (State Registration of Civil Status Acts) with a request to recognize a marriage concluded abroad.

To do this, you must provide the documents listed above, namely:

● Marriage certificate with apostille and translation;

● Copies of both spouses' passports;

● Application.

After your documents are reviewed, your marriage will be recognized in Ukraine, and you can obtain a Ukrainian marriage certificate if you wish.

Don't want to miss important updates and useful articles? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter!

How to obtain a residence permit in Ukraine for a husband or wife?

To obtain a residence permit in Ukraine, you need to collect a number of documents.

Do French citizens need a visa to enter Ukraine?

No. French citizens can enter Ukraine without a visa and stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. However, if you plan to stay longer and apply for a residence permit, you will need a long-term D visa.

How to apply for a temporary residence permit in Ukraine for a husband/wife?

If one spouse is a citizen of Ukraine and the other is a foreigner, they are entitled to a temporary residence permit in Ukraine on the basis of family reunification (Part 12 of Article 4 of the Law of Ukraine “On the Legal Status of Foreigners”).

Documents required for a residence permit

● Notarized translation of the husband's passport;

● Marriage certificate (registered or recognized in Ukraine);

● Certificate of no criminal record (from the country of citizenship, in this case from France), with an apostille and translation (if necessary);

● Medical certificate confirming the absence of infectious diseases (can be obtained in Ukraine);

● Medical insurance for at least one year (from a Ukrainian insurance company);

● 4 color photos 3.5×4.5 cm;

● Proof of residence in Ukraine (rental agreement, title deed, etc.).

Where to submit documents?

Documents should be submitted to the territorial division of the State Migration Service (SMS) at your place of residence.

How long does it take to process?

Application review: up to 15 working days. A residence permit is issued for a period of 1 year with the right to extend.

After receiving the permit, the man must register his place of residence in Ukraine within 30 days.

How can Visit Ukraine lawyers help?

If you don't want to waste time on translation errors, queues at the SMS, and incorrect paperwork, contact our specialists. Visit Ukraine lawyers provide full legal support:

1. Document verification and consultation;

2. Preparation and translation of necessary documents;

3. Obtaining a D-type visa (if required);

4. Submission of an application to the State Migration Service;

5. Assistance in obtaining a residence permit;

6. 24/7 support from a personal lawyer.

Not sure which consultation format to choose? Contact our managers via Telegram or WhatsApp – they will help you choose the best option for your situation.

We remind you! In the previous article, Visit Ukraine lawyers already explained how to invite a foreign fiancé to Ukraine – read more at the link.

Photo: Freepik

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

We recommend purchasing it for a safe and comfortable trip to Ukraine: 

Visit Ukraine Insurance – insurance covering military risks for entry and travel in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Car Insurance – car insurance with extended coverage in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Legal Advice – comprehensive legal support on entry to Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Tickets – bus and train tickets to/from Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Tours – the largest online database of tours to Ukraine for every taste;

Visit Ukraine Hotels – hotels for a comfortable stay in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Merch – patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.

© 2018-2025, Visit Ukraine. Use, copying or reprinting of materials on this site is permitted only with a link (hyperlink for online publications) to Visit Ukraine.

All rights reserved.