Residence in Ukraine

Can a foreigner get married in Ukraine?

Published 29 October 2026 · facts checked against the primary sources on 2026-10-29 · Ukraine For ALL, Kyiv

Marriage in Ukraine is a civil act. Under the Family Code, only a union registered by a state civil registry office creates the rights and duties of spouses; a religious ceremony or living together does not (Art. 21). Civil registration for foreigners follows Ukrainian law (Rules of State Registration of Civil Status Acts, Section I, para. 8).

Who can marry?

Which documents does the foreigner bring?

1. Passport. The registry certifies identity and age by the passport document (Law No. 2398-VI, Art. 14(9)). A person with several citizenships shows all passports (Rules, Section III, ch. 2, para. 8).
2. Proof of lawful stay in Ukraine, such as a visa or a residence card. The registry sends a request to the State Migration Service no later than the next working day, and the DMS reports on the foreigner's lawful stay on the day of the wedding (Rules, Section III, ch. 2, para. 8).
3. Proof that a previous marriage has ended, if there was one: a divorce certificate, a court decision or a death certificate (Law No. 2398-VI, Art. 14(2)). A foreign document of this kind is shown by the applicant (Rules, Section III, ch. 2, para. 9).

Foreign civil status documents are valid in Ukraine with legalisation or an apostille, unless a treaty provides otherwise, and a document in a foreign language comes with a Ukrainian translation (Rules, Section II). The steps are in apostille and translation for documents used in Ukraine.

How does the registration work?

1. Apply together at any civil registry office of your choice (Family Code, Art. 28). If one partner cannot come for a valid reason, a representative files a notarised application under a notarised power of attorney. In that case the foreigner's passport and proof of lawful stay are attached as notarised copies with certified translations (Rules, Section III, ch. 2, para. 8).
2. Wait one month. The marriage is registered after one month from the application. With a valid reason the head of the office allows an earlier date. In case of pregnancy, the birth of a child or a direct threat to life, the marriage is registered on the day of the application or any day within the month (Family Code, Art. 32; Law No. 2398-VI, Art. 14(4)–(5)).
3. Attend in person. Both partners must be present; marriage through a representative is prohibited (Family Code, Art. 34). The ceremony takes place at the registry office, or at home or in hospital if the couple cannot come for a valid reason (Art. 33).
4. Receive the certificates. Each spouse gets a marriage certificate (Law No. 2398-VI, Art. 14(11)).

What changes for residence after the wedding?

Part 14 covers two situations: a foreigner who comes to Ukraine to reunite with a Ukrainian spouse, and a foreigner who is already lawfully in Ukraine on another listed ground and marries a Ukrainian citizen. The first group normally needs a long-term D visa for the permit (Art. 5-2). A marriage concluded abroad under foreign law is assessed under the Law on Private International Law (Art. 5(14)).

For the immigration permit the migration service checks the marriage. Article 4-1 of Law No. 2491-III lists the signs it looks for: the spouses do not live together, did not meet or communicate before the marriage, have no common language, or do not know each other's personal details. Both spouses give written consent to an interview and tests.

FAQ

Can we marry on the day we apply?

Only in the cases set by law: pregnancy, the birth of a child, or a direct threat to the life of either partner. Otherwise the head of the registry office may allow an earlier date for a valid reason (Family Code, Art. 32).

Does a church wedding count?

A religious ceremony gives no rights of spouses, except for ceremonies held before civil registry offices were created or restored (Family Code, Art. 21(3)).

Can the foreign partner be represented at the wedding?

No. Both partners must attend (Family Code, Art. 34). A representative may only file the application, with notarised documents.

Does marrying a Ukrainian give me citizenship?

Marriage does not change citizenship automatically (Law No. 2235-III, Art. 2). It gives the temporary residence permit, then the immigration permit after two years and a shorter route to naturalisation after three years.

My visa-free stay ends before the wedding date. What happens?

The registry asks the DMS whether you are lawfully in Ukraine on the day of the wedding (Rules, Section III, ch. 2, para. 8). Plan the date inside your permitted stay; the visa-free stay is 90 days within 180 days.