Eligibility quiz
Has a Ukrainian court’s decision to adopt you taken effect?
Benefits
Benefits for your childBenefits for your child
Ukrainian passport
Ukrainian citizens can get a foreign passport and hold up to two at once.
A passport is valid for four years for children under 16 and ten years from age 16.
Live in Ukraine for life
Ukrainian citizens have the right to live in Ukraine and return, even after living abroad permanently.
They cannot be expelled from Ukraine or sent to another country to face its authorities.
Study in Ukraine
Ukrainian citizens can study at all levels.
Free education includes general secondary, vocational, specialist pre-higher and higher education, but publicly funded places are subject to conditions.
Work in Ukraine
Ukrainian citizens can work and choose their occupation, with equal opportunities in professions and in job training and retraining.
Get help abroad
Ukrainian consulates can help protect your rights, give information and practical help, and assist during illness or an emergency.
They can be notified if you are arrested or detained.
If you lose your passport abroad, you can get a return document to travel back to Ukraine.
Vote and run for office
Ukrainian citizens can vote in elections and referendums from age 18, unless a court has found them legally incapable.
Citizens can also be elected and take part in running state affairs.
Use public healthcare
Ukrainian citizens have the right to health protection, medical care and medical insurance.
State and local public health institutions provide free care within the public healthcare system.
Get social support
Citizens can get social protection for disability, loss of a breadwinner, involuntary unemployment or old age if they meet the conditions.
People receiving social services have rights to information, dignity, privacy, a choice of provider and an assessment of their needs.
They can also refuse services where the law allows.
How to apply
Applying at a local officeApplying at a local office
Find an office
If you are in Ukraine, choose a State Migration Service office where you can apply for your child. You do not have to choose the office for your registered address.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Ukraine State Migration Service office in your city accepts citizenship registration applications for an adopted child?”
Download the application form
Get the application form for registering your adopted child as a Ukrainian citizen.
Find the formSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I download the Ukraine State Migration Service application form to register an adopted child as a Ukrainian citizen?”
Fill in the form
One Ukrainian adoptive parent or another legal representative fills in and signs the application for the child.
See how to complete itSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Ukraine State Migration Service application to register an adopted child as a Ukrainian citizen?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the State Migration Service office.
See required documentsBook a filing slot
Ask your chosen office whether it offers an online queue for your child's citizenship application. If it does, you can book a filing slot; some offices use a walk-in queue instead.
Use the online queueHand in your application
As the Ukrainian adoptive parent or legal representative, bring the signed application and documents, including originals, to the office you chose. Your child must come with you if they are 14 or older.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit an application to the Ukraine State Migration Service in your city to register an adopted child as a Ukrainian citizen?”
Wait for the decision
Your child became a Ukrainian citizen when the adoption decision took legal effect. Wait for the office to decide on the registration and respond if it asks for more information.
See what happens nextSearches DuckDuckGo for “What happens after I apply to the Ukraine State Migration Service to register an adopted child as a Ukrainian citizen?”
Collect the certificate
Get your child's citizenship registration certificate from the State Migration Service office that made the decision. You can use it to apply for your child's Ukrainian passport.
Find certificate informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I collect a Ukraine citizenship registration certificate for my adopted child from the State Migration Service?”
Apply for a passport
Apply separately for your child's Ukrainian passport using the citizenship registration certificate.
Find passport informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I apply for a Ukrainian passport for my child after registration of Ukrainian citizenship by adoption?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Adoption court decision
Bring the Ukrainian court’s adoption decision and a copy. The decision must show that it has taken legal effect.
Parent's Ukrainian passport
Bring a copy of your Ukrainian adoptive parent’s internal Ukrainian passport if they live in Ukraine, or their Ukrainian passport for travel abroad if they live abroad. Bring the original so the officer can certify the copy.
Birth certificate *
Bring your birth certificate or equivalent civil-status record, with a copy. Bring the original so the officer can certify the copy.
* Only if your office uses it to establish your identity or parentage.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationParent's residence record *
Bring proof that your Ukrainian adoptive parent lives abroad, with a copy. Bring the original so the officer can certify the copy.
* Only if your Ukrainian adoptive parent lives abroad.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Tax residence
If other tests do not settle where you are a tax resident, Ukrainian citizenship can be a deciding factor.
Ukrainian tax residents are taxed on income from Ukraine and abroad.
Foreign tax may be credited when the law and a treaty allow it and the required evidence is supplied.
Military registration and service
Citizens subject to military registration must register, including when living abroad temporarily or permanently.
Medically fit men who are liable can be called to basic military service from age 18 until 25; women serve voluntarily.
Other duties, including mobilisation, depend on the rules for each group.
Citizenship can be lost
Citizenship can end by giving it up or under an international treaty, but not merely by submitting a request.
In cases set by law, it can be lost for voluntarily acquiring another citizenship, entering another country's military, or obtaining Ukrainian citizenship by deception or false documents.
A formal decision or document is needed.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Expat Ukraine
Ukrainian Facebook group for people living in Ukraine interested in Ukrainian local life
Join on Facebookr/AnchorLessEurope
English Reddit group for people living in Europe interested in visas
Join on Redditr/europe
English Reddit group for people interested in local life in Europe
Join on RedditConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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