Олександр Сич
June 21, 2026
From 18 June 2026, it will be possible to get a divorce via the ‘Diya’ app entirely online: the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Digital Transformation have launched a beta test of the service, in which spouses submit an application via the app, wait one month and two days, and then confirm their decision via a video conference with a civil registry office official. The state fee is 8.50 UAH. However, if you have joint minor children or one of the spouses objects, there is only one option: the courts. As recently as spring 2026, lawyers gave the same answer to any question about divorce via the ‘Diy’ app: whilst you can submit an application online, to have the divorce recorded in the civil registry, you still had to go in person to the Civil Registry Office. On 18 June 2026, the Ministry of Justice, together with the Ministry of Digital Transformation, launched beta testing of a service that eliminates even this final visit. Instead of queuing, there is a video conference with the registrar. The service is currently being tested by a limited number of couples (around 250, according to the Ministry of Justice), with a full roll-out for all users expected by the end of summer 2026. Below, we explain exactly what the new service allows, who is legally ineligible to use it, and how much each option costs. If your situation is more complex than ‘both parties agree, no children’, we advise you to go straight to the section on court proceedings — and, if necessary, to consult a divorce solicitor.
What has changed: divorce via ‘Diya’ is now a ‘turnkey’ procedure
Until June 2026, digital services only covered the first step — drawing up a joint application. After that, the couple still had to go to the Civil Registry Office, present their passports and sign the paper registration document. The new service moves the entire procedure online: the application, the other spouse’s signature, payment of the state fee, final confirmation and the state registration itself. Here’s how it works. One spouse submits an application via the ‘Diya’ app. The other receives it and confirms it via Diya with their signature. A waiting period then begins, which cannot be shortened — it must be at least one month and two days from the date of submission. After this, a video conference is scheduled with a Civil Registry Office official: both parties confirm their intention to dissolve the marriage and apply a qualified electronic signature. The divorce record automatically appears in the app. A paper certificate is sent by Ukrposhta — but only within Ukraine and only to the recipient in person. This is the main limitation of the beta version, which millions of Ukrainians abroad should be aware of.
Who can use the service: five conditions set by the Ministry of Justice
The eligibility criteria are strict, and none of them is a mere formality:
- Both must be adult citizens of Ukraine.
- They must have no joint minor children. This applies to both biological and adopted children under the age of 18.
- Both must have an ID card or a biometric passport registered in the ‘Diya’ app.
- Both must have a verified RNO KPP (tax number) and a Diya.Signature account.
- The marriage is registered in Ukraine, and the details are recorded in the State Register of Civil Status Acts.
If the marriage was contracted abroad and is not entered in the Ukrainian register, the service simply ‘will not recognise’ it. Similarly, the procedure will not work if the details in the register differ from those in your documents — a common scenario following a change of surname.
When ‘Diya’ won’t help: scenarios left to the courts by law
This is where ‘one-click divorce’ comes to an end. The Family Code of Ukraine categorises scenarios according to two criteria — mutual consent and the presence of children.
- Article 106 of the Family Code — spouses without children who mutually consent to the divorce may do so through the Civil Registry Office (or now online). The state allows a month for reflection.
- Article 109 of the Family Code — if there are joint minor children, the marriage may only be dissolved through the courts. Even with the full consent of both spouses. A notarised agreement must be attached to the joint application, specifying with whom the child will live and how the other parent will contribute to their maintenance.
- Article 110 of the Family Code — if one spouse objects, the other must file a claim. Under Article 111 of the Family Code, the court may set a period for reconciliation of up to six months.
- Article 107 of the Family Code — a special case: if the other spouse has been declared by the court to be missing or legally incapacitated, the application is submitted individually to the Civil Registry Office.
The division of property via ‘Diya’ is also not possible — this is a separate process. It is resolved either by a contract drawn up by a notary or through a claim for the division of property. The same applies to maintenance: divorce merely formalises the termination of the marital relationship.
Three ways to dissolve a marriage: a comparison
| Criterion | Online via ‘Diia’ | In person at the Civil Registry Office | Court |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grounds | Article 106 of the Family Code</ td> | Articles 106, 107 of the Family Code | Articles 109, 110 of the Family Code |
| Children under 18 | None | None | Yes |
| Consent of both parties | Mandatory</ td> | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Timeframe | 1 month and 2 days | 1 month | 2 to 6+ months |
| In-person visit | No, video conference | Yes, both | Can be done remotely via the ‘Electronic Court’ |
| Mandatory payment | State duty 8.50 UAH | State duty 8.50 UAH | Court fee 1,331.20 UAH</ td> |
Step-by-step guide: how to file for divorce via ‘Diyu’
Step 1. Check your documents in the app
Open ‘Diya’ and make sure your ID card or biometric passport is displayed, and that your tax number has been verified. Your partner must do the same — otherwise, the application won’t even be generated.
Step 2. Activate Diya.Signature from both parties
A qualified electronic signature is required from each spouse: one signs the application, the other confirms it. If one of you does not have a qualified electronic signature, the procedure will stop at the second step.
Step 3. Submit the application
The initiator fills in the form: their own details, their spouse’s details, the marriage certificate details, and the surname they wish to use after the divorce — whether to keep their current one or revert to their pre-marriage surname. Most fields are automatically populated from government registers.
Step 4. Obtain confirmation from your partner
The other spouse receives a notification. They check the details entered and sign the application using the ‘Dія.Podpis’ feature. Until the second signature has been provided, the application is not considered to have been submitted.
Step 5. Pay the state fee
8.50 UAH by card directly in the app. This is 0.5 times the non-taxable minimum income for citizens — an amount that has remained unchanged for years.
Step 6. Wait for the deadline and attend the video conference
One month and two days is not a technical delay, but the statutory cooling-off period. During this period, you can withdraw your application. Once this period has expired, you will be invited to a video conference with a staff member from the Civil Registry Office, where you will both confirm your intention and sign the consent form. The official record appears immediately in ‘Diia’, and the paper certificate is sent via Ukrposhta.
How much does a divorce cost in 2026
| Payment</ th> | Amount in 2026 | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| State duty for registering a divorce (DRACS or ‘Diya’) | 8.50 UAH | 0.5 times the minimum subsistence level, CMU Decree on state duty</ td> |
| Court fee for a divorce claim | 1,331.20 UAH | 0.4 times the minimum subsistence level (3,328 UAH) |
| The same claim via ‘Electronic Court’ | 1,064.96 UAH</ td> | 20% discount for electronic submission |
| Joint application by spouses with children (separate proceedings) | 665.60 UAH | 0.2 times the minimum subsistence level |
| Notarised agreement regarding children</ td> | at the notary’s rate | mandatory for a joint application involving children |
See the page prices for our services for current prices for legal support.
Common mistakes that cause the procedure to fail
- Discrepancies between the register and the documents. Most often — following a change of surname or due to an error in an old civil status record. The application cannot be generated; you will first need to amend the birth, marriage or death record.
- The other spouse has not signed the application. An application without the other spouse’s signature is not legally valid; the fee paid is not automatically refunded in such cases.
- The assumption that the online process will replace the court. If there are children, no digital service can replace a court ruling — time spent on such attempts is simply wasted.
- The illusion that divorce settles property issues. Dissolution of marriage does not divide the flat, car or business. The limitation period for property division is three years, and it begins not from the date of the divorce, but from the day you became aware of the infringement of your rights.
- A partner abroad. They can sign the application, but they cannot receive a paper certificate in the beta version: delivery is only available within Ukraine.
When you don’t need a solicitor, and when it’s absolutely essential
Let’s be honest: if you don’t have children, there’s no dispute over property and both of you want a divorce — you don’t need a solicitor. You can sort out the ‘Action’ form yourself in 20 minutes, and it’s not worth paying someone to do it for you. A lawyer is needed where the cost of a mistake is high: when there are minor children and you need to agree on their place of residence and maintenance; when the other spouse is evading the process; when the marriage involves property, a business, a mortgage or debts; when one spouse is abroad and cannot travel to Ukraine. In these situations, we take care of preparing the documents, submitting them via the ‘Electronic Court’ and representing you without you having to appear in person.
Questions and Answers
Is it currently possible to get a divorce via ‘Diy’ entirely online?
Yes, but for the time being this is part of a beta test — the service is available to a limited number of couples who have applied. The Ministry of Justice promises a full launch for all users by the end of summer 2026.
How long does a divorce via ‘Diy’ take?
At least one month and two days from the date of filing the application. This is a cooling-off period; the law does not permit it to be shortened.
Can you get a divorce via ‘Diyu’ if you have a child?
No. Having joint minor children means that court proceedings are mandatory under Article 109 of the Family Code. The court checks whether the child’s rights have been infringed.
Can you file for divorce without your husband’s or wife’s consent?
Only through the courts, by bringing a claim under Article 110 of the Family Code. The court may grant a period of up to six months for reconciliation, but it cannot permanently refuse to grant a divorce.
How much does a divorce via ‘Diy’ cost?
8.50 UAH in state fees. Through the courts — 1,331.20 UAH in court fees (1,064.96 UAH when filed via the ‘Electronic Court’).
What should you do if one of the spouses is abroad?
Sign the Diya application. They will be able to sign it and take part in a video conference. The problem lies with the certificate: in the beta version, it is only delivered within Ukraine and issued in person. Alternatives include divorce through a Ukrainian consulate or through the courts with legal representation.
Can a divorce application be withdrawn?
Yes, during the cooling-off period. Simply submit a written request for withdrawal to the Civil Registry Office that received the application.
Can property be divided through Diya?
No. The division of property is formalised by a contract drawn up by a notary or through legal proceedings. The dissolution of marriage merely formalises the termination of the marital relationship.
Is a notarised consent required if the other spouse cannot attend?
For the standard procedure at the Civil Registry Office — yes: a notarised application allows the divorce to be registered in the absence of one of the spouses. In the online scenario, the presence of both parties via video conference is mandatory.
What is the Civil Registry Office?
The Civil Registry Office is the body responsible for recording births, marriages, divorces and deaths in the State Register of Civil Status Acts of Citizens.
Sources
- Family Code of Ukraine, Articles 106, 107, 109, 110, 111 — zakon.rada.gov.ua
- Law of Ukraine ‘On Court Fees’ — a rate of 0.4 times the subsistence minimum for able-bodied persons (3,328 UAH in 2026)
- Decree of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine ‘On State Duty’ — 0.5 times the non-taxable minimum income of citizens
- Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Digital Transformation: beta testing of the online divorce service, June 2026 — diia.gov.ua
Divorce through a lawyer at ‘Svarog’
If your case goes beyond a straightforward scenario — involving children, property, debts or a partner abroad — we prepare the documents, file a claim via the ‘Electronic Court’ and handle the case without you needing to attend court hearings. During your consultation, you will receive a clear answer: which procedure applies to your situation, how long it will take and how much it will cost. Please also familiarise yourself with our family law practice. Telephone: +38 095 554-54-24, +38 096 554-54-25. Kyiv, 7 Khoriva Street, Office 2 (Podil). Mon–Fri, 9.00–18.00.