How do I file for divorce?

The short answer. There are three ways to dissolve a marriage. If both parties agree and there are no joint minor children, this can be done through the Civil Registry Office or online via ‘Diia’ (state fee: 8.50 UAH; processing time: 1 month). If there are children or one spouse objects — only through the courts (court fee 1,331.20 UAH, processing time from 2 months). The other spouse’s objection does not prevent the divorce: the court will still dissolve the marriage if the family has effectively ceased to exist.

In Ukraine, a marriage can be dissolved through the Civil Registry Office, the courts or the ‘Dii’ app. The specific procedure depends on two factors: whether there are joint minor children and whether both spouses consent to the divorce. A mistake at the outset — for example, attempting to go through the Civil Registry Office when a court is required — costs time, so it is worth determining the correct course of action straight away. We will examine all three routes, including specific timeframes, costs and the list of documents required.

When a divorce is possible through the Civil Registry Office

The Civil Registry Office handles cases under a simplified procedure, without court hearings. Under Article 106 of the Family Code, this is possible provided all three conditions are met simultaneously: both parties wish to dissolve the marriage, there are no joint minor children, and a joint application has been submitted. Once the application is submitted, a one-month period is set for the parties to confirm their decision definitively. The law does not permit this one-month period to be shortened. The state fee is 8.50 UAH (0.5 times the non-taxable minimum).

Article 107 of the Family Code provides for a special case: if one spouse has been declared by a court to be missing or legally incapacitated, the divorce is registered upon application by the other spouse, even if there are children.

Online divorce via ‘Diyu’

On 18 June 2026, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Digital Transformation launched beta testing of a service that allows couples to divorce entirely remotely. Previously, it was only possible to submit an application via ‘Diyu’, with the final step taking place at the Civil Registry Office; now, the procedure can be completed online via a video conference with a Civil Registry Office official.

The conditions are the same as for the Civil Registry Office (consent of both parties, no joint minor children), plus technical requirements: both parties must have an ID card or biometric passport, a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and an activated ‘Diyu.Signature’ account. The process is as follows: one spouse creates an application in the app, the other confirms it with their signature, the state fee is paid, a period of one month and two days elapses (during which the application can be withdrawn), after which a video conference takes place, and the civil registry entry appears in the profile. For more details, see the separate article on divorce via ‘Diya’.

‘Diy’ will not help if there are joint minor children, if one of the spouses opposes the divorce, or if there are property disputes — in these cases, court proceedings are required.

When divorce is only possible through the courts

The court procedure applies in more complex situations. Grounds: the presence of joint minor children (Article 109 of the Family Code — divorce is only possible through the courts even with full consent), the lack of consent from one of the spouses (Article 110 of the Family Code), the inability to file a joint application, or the existence of additional family disputes. The court does not determine who is at fault for the divorce — it merely ascertains whether the family unit has been preserved and whether there are grounds for the marriage to continue.

An important change to be aware of: until the end of 2024, Article 110 of the Family Code prohibited filing for divorce whilst the wife was pregnant and for one year following the birth of a child. Law No. 4073-IX of 20 November 2024 (effective from 19 December 2024) has repealed this prohibition — a petition may now be filed at any time, regardless of pregnancy or the child’s age.

Where to file the petition

The petition is filed with the local court, usually at the defendant’s place of residence. However, if the petitioner lives with minor children or there are other valid reasons, the law allows the petition to be filed at the petitioner’s place of residence. The court fee for a divorce petition in 2026 is 1,331.20 UAH (0.4 times the minimum subsistence level for able-bodied persons — 3,328 UAH). A 20 per cent discount applies via the ‘Electronic Court’ system, and a joint application by spouses with children costs 665.60 UAH.

What a statement of claim must contain

The statement must include the parties’ details, information on the marriage registration, the circumstances leading to the breakdown of the marriage, and a request to dissolve the marriage. The document must comply with the requirements of Articles 175 and 177 of the Code of Civil Procedure. Documents confirming the circumstances set out in the petition must be attached. The court may leave an incorrectly drafted petition without further action, and the fee paid will not be refunded — so it is important to prepare it carefully.

What documents are required for a divorce

The documents required depend on the method of terminating the marriage.

No children (Civil Registry Office or ‘Diya’): passports and tax identification numbers for both parties, marriage certificate, a joint application in the prescribed form, and a receipt for payment of the state fee. Before submission, it is advisable to check that personal details are correct — inaccuracies can lead to additional procedures.

With minor children (court): in addition to the basic set of documents, you’ll need the children’s birth certificates, details of the child’s place of residence, documents regarding child maintenance and other materials depending on the circumstances. The more complete the set of documents, the lower the risk of the process being delayed.

How long does a divorce take?

Through the Civil Registry Office and the ‘Diyu’ system — from one month from the date of filing the application; it is not possible to complete the procedure any sooner. Through the courts, there is no fixed timeframe: the duration depends on the number of hearings, the conduct of the parties and the presence of additional requirements. If there is no dispute, a decision is reached more quickly — approximately within two months; if there is a dispute over children or property, the process takes longer.

What to do if your spouse does not agree

The refusal of one spouse does not mean that the marriage will automatically be preserved. If the family has effectively ceased to exist, the court has the right to grant the petition for divorce even in the absence of the other party’s consent. Under Article 111 of the Family Code, the court may grant the parties a period of up to six months for reconciliation, but it cannot permanently refuse to grant a divorce.

If one of the spouses is abroad

Such cases are heard in a Ukrainian court. To this end, the mechanisms provided for by law for notifying the party and representing their interests through a solicitor are applied — this allows the proceedings to take place without the parties being physically present. Documents can be submitted via the ‘Electronic Court’ system, so a divorce is possible even when the spouses are in different countries.

Which option to choose in your situation

The logic is simple. If there are no joint minor children and both parties agree — the Civil Registry Office or ‘Diya’. If there are children or one spouse objects — go to court. In other complex cases (property disputes, a partner abroad, evasion of the proceedings), the correct preparation of documents directly affects the duration and outcome. If you need help, the lawyers at ‘Svarog’ will determine the best course of action and guide you through the process.

Questions and answers

How do you file for divorce in Ukraine?

Through the Civil Registry Office or the ‘Dii’ app (if there are no children and both parties agree) or through the courts (if there are children or there is no agreement).

How much does it cost to file for divorce?

The state fee for registration at the Civil Registry Office or via ‘Diyu’ is 8.50 UAH. The court fee for the claim is 1,331.20 UAH (it is cheaper via the ‘Electronic Court’).

When is it possible to get a divorce through the Civil Registry Office?

By mutual consent of the spouses and where there are no joint minor children.

Can you file for divorce via ‘Dii’?

Yes, from June 2026, a fully online divorce will be available, but only in the same circumstances as for the Civil Registry Office — where there are no children and both parties consent.

Can you get a divorce without your husband’s or wife’s consent?

Yes. The court will dissolve the marriage even without the other party’s consent if it finds that the family has effectively broken down.

How long does a divorce take in Ukraine?

Through the Civil Registry Office and ‘Diyu’ — from one month. Through the courts — usually from two months, depending on the complexity of the case.

Is it possible to get a divorce if the wife is pregnant?

Yes. Since December 2024, the ban on divorce during pregnancy and within one year of the child’s birth has been lifted (Law No. 4073-IX).

What should you do if one of the spouses is abroad?

The case can be heard in a Ukrainian court through a solicitor’s representation and the ‘Electronic Court’ system, without the need for personal attendance.

Sources

• Family Code of Ukraine, Articles 106, 107, 109, 110, 111 — zakon.rada.gov.ua
• Law of Ukraine ‘On Court Fees’ — rate of 0.4 times the minimum subsistence level for able-bodied persons
• Law of Ukraine No. 4073-IX of 20 November 2024 — lifting of the ban on divorce during pregnancy
• Civil Procedure Code of Ukraine, Articles 175, 177 — requirements for a statement of claim

Divorce with ‘Svarog’ solicitors

If your situation is more complex than a simple mutual agreement — for example, if there are children involved, a property dispute, a partner living abroad, or if the other party is evading the proceedings — the lawyers at ‘Svarog’ will prepare the documents, file the claim via the ‘Electronic Court’ and handle the case without you needing to attend the hearings. During your consultation, you will receive a clear answer as to which procedure applies to your specific case, how long it will take and how much it will cost. For more details, visit the page for our divorce solicitor and the section on family law.

Telephone: +38 095 554-54-24, +38 096 554-54-25. Kyiv, 7 Khoriva Street, Office 2 (Podil). Mon–Fri, 9.00–18.00.