Marriage abroad for Ukrainian citizens has its own nuances. Find out what documents are required, how to apply, and what to look for to ensure a successful marriage registration outside of Ukraine

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Marriage abroad for Ukrainian citizens has its own peculiarities that should be taken into account before taking this important step. The basic procedures, required documents and peculiarities that those who plan to get married outside of Ukraine need to know will be discussed further in the article with a link to the website of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine.

Legal requirements for marriage abroad

First of all, you should pay attention to the legislation of the country where you plan to get married. Not all countries allow registration of a marriage between two foreigners, so you need to make sure that the state you choose allows such a possibility.

According to part two of Article 4 of the Law of Ukraine “On State Registration of Civil Status Acts”, state registration of marriage between Ukrainian citizens abroad is carried out by diplomatic missions and consular offices of Ukraine. This means that if you plan to get married abroad, you need to contact the nearest Ukrainian consulate or diplomatic mission.

Documents required for marriage registration

To get married abroad, Ukrainian citizens must provide a certain set of documents. These include:

1. Application for marriage registration. The application is submitted personally by the woman and man to the consular office of Ukraine in the country of residence. If, for valid reasons, one of the bride and groom cannot submit the application in person, it can be done by a representative on the basis of a notarized power of attorney.

2. Passport documents. To confirm the identity and age of the bride and groom, a passport of a citizen of Ukraine or a passport document of a foreigner must be presented.

3. Documents on the dissolution of a previous marriage. If one of the bride and groom was previously married, it is necessary to provide documents confirming its termination (divorce certificate, court decision or death certificate of the previous partner).

4. A document on marital status. This is a confirmation that the person is not in another marriage at the time of registration. The document must be certified for international use.

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Features and nuances of the marriage registration process abroad

State registration of marriage is carried out in the presence of both brides and grooms. Registration through a representative is not allowed. A marriage certificate is issued on the basis of a marriage record.

If the surname changes during marriage registration, passport documents must be replaced within one month. This applies to both domestic and international passports.

If there are valid reasons, the state registration of marriage may be carried out in another place, for example, at the place of residence of the newlyweds or in a medical institution.

Additional requirements and recommendations

Ukrainian law recognizes marriages entered into abroad as valid if they meet the requirements of the Family Code of Ukraine. However, this requires the legalization of documents, unless it is provided for by an international treaty of Ukraine.

The newlyweds also have the right to choose the surname they will use after the marriage or to keep their premarital surnames.

It is important to familiarize yourself with the rules and requirements of the country where you plan to register your marriage in advance to avoid unforeseen situations and ensure a successful marriage.

Marriage through Diia: conditions and algorithm of actions

The government has supported a resolution that will allow Ukrainians to get married via video. In the future, this decision will make it possible to register a marriage using the Diia app. Currently, you can apply for a marriage license through the portal.

How to apply?

1. Log in to the Diia portal.

2. Click Services - Family - Marriage application

3. Fill out the application and select the details of the ceremony

4. Pay the administrative fee in a convenient way and sign with an electronic signature.

Next, the other partner will receive a link to the application by email. He or she must also sign it with the QES.

The Civil Registry Office usually processes the application within one business day. After that, you can get the result of the review.

We remind you! The government has simplified the procedure for registering a marriage with the military, which will allow servicemen and their partners to get married even in difficult conditions without complications. Read more about registration and the new rules in our previous article.

Photo: Viktor Vysotsky / Getty Images/iStockphoto

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