How do I file for divorce?
Illia Semenchuk
June 30, 2026
In Ukraine, a marriage can be dissolved through the Civil Registry Office or the courts. The specific procedure depends on a number of factors, such as whether there are children involved, or the position of the other spouse. Making a mistake at the outset often leads to a waste of time, so it is important to determine the correct course of action straight away.
When is it possible to dissolve a marriage through the Civil Registry Office?
The Civil Registry Office handles cases under a simplified procedure. It is not suitable for everyone, but it allows the process to be completed without court hearings.
To do this, you must:
Following the application, a one-month period is set for the parties to confirm their decision definitively.
When should you go to court?
Court proceedings are used in more complex situations.
The most common grounds are:
- the presence of minor children;
- the lack of consent from one of the spouses;
- inability to apply jointly to the Civil Registry Office;
- additional family disputes.
The court does not determine who is at fault for the divorce. The question here is whether the family relationship has been preserved, and whether there are grounds for the marriage to continue.
What documents are required for a divorce?
The set of documents required depends on the method of terminating the marriage.
Documents required for a divorce without children
In most cases, you will need to provide:
- passport;
- Tax Identification Number (TIN);
- marriage certificate;
- standard application form;
- proof of payment of the fee.
Check that everything is correct before submitting. Pay particular attention to personal details. Inaccuracies will result in additional procedures.
Documents required for divorce where there are minor children
In such cases, the following are usually required:
- the children’s birth certificates;
- details of the child’s place of residence;
- documents relating to child maintenance;
- other documents depending on the circumstances of the case.
The more comprehensive the set of documents is, the lower the risk of the process being delayed.
How do I file for divorce via Diya?
Many people are interested in the possibility of filing for divorce online.
Can you file an application online?
Ukrainian digital services are constantly expanding. And Diya is the most promising in this regard. You can even get a divorce via the app. However, the fully remote process is not available for all types of divorce.
What are the conditions and restrictions of the online procedure
The online service cannot replace court proceedings. If there are issues concerning children or a dispute between the parties needs to be resolved, the general rules of family law apply. If not, the procedure is as follows:
- Initiation. One of the partners logs in to Diia and creates a joint application for divorce.
- Confirmation. The other partner receives a notification, follows the link, logs in and signs the application.
- Payment. The administrative fee is paid online.
- Waiting period. The same one-month cooling-off period. During this time, the application can be withdrawn.
- Result. Once checks in the state register have been successfully completed and the period has expired, the marriage is dissolved and an extract appears in your profile.
However, before using the Action, you should check whether your specific situation is suitable for this format. The Action will not help if:
- there are joint minor children;
- one of the spouses is opposed to the divorce;
- there are property disputes.
How to file a petition for divorce with the court
The petition is filed with the local court. The case is usually heard at the defendant’s place of residence. In certain cases, the law allows the petition to be filed at the claimant’s place of residence. For example, if children live with the claimant or there are other valid reasons.
What must the statement of claim contain?
The statement must specify:
- details of the parties;
- information regarding the registration of the marriage;
- the circumstances surrounding the dissolution of the marriage;
- application for divorce.
Documents confirming the circumstances set out above must be attached to the claim.
How long does the divorce procedure take?
It depends on the option chosen:
- Timeframes for processing the case through the Civil Registry Office. The minimum timeframe is one month from the date of filing the application. It is not possible to complete the procedure any sooner.
- Timeframes for divorce through the courts. Court cases do not have a fixed processing time. 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 usually reached more quickly.
What to do if your spouse does not agree?
The fact that one spouse does not agree 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.
Divorce when one spouse is abroad
Such cases may also be heard in Ukraine. To this end, the mechanisms provided for by law for notifying the parties and representing their interests through a solicitor are used.
Which method of divorce should you choose in your situation?
If there are no disputes between the spouses and there are no minor children, it is advisable to use the procedure via the Civil Registry Office or through the ‘Diy’ service. In other cases, the matter is resolved through the courts. Proper preparation of documents helps to avoid unnecessary delays and procedural errors.
And if you need help with your divorce, please contact Svarog.
Questions and Answers
How do you file for divorce in Ukraine?
Through Diya, the Civil Registry Office (RACS) or the courts, depending on whether there are children and whether both spouses consent.
When can you get a divorce through the Civil Registry Office?
By mutual consent of the parties and in the absence of joint minor children.
Can you file for divorce via the ‘Diy’ app?
Yes, but not in all cases.
What documents are required for a divorce through the courts?
Marriage certificate, documents relating to the parties, the statement of claim and other materials depending on the circumstances of the case.
Is it possible to get a divorce without the consent of one’s husband or wife?
Yes. The court may dissolve the marriage even in the absence of the other party’s consent.
How long does a divorce take in Ukraine?
Through the ‘Diy’ service and the Civil Registry Office – from one month. Through the courts, the timeframe depends on the complexity of the case.
How much does a solicitor’s assistance cost in a divorce?
The cost is determined after analysing the situation and the scope of the legal assistance required.