How long does it take to register a marriage to a foreigner in Ukraine

Do you have to wait a month if one of the parties is a foreign national? Broadly speaking, yes: the same registration periods apply to such couples as to Ukrainian citizens.

Under Article 32 of the Family Code of Ukraine, as a general rule a marriage is registered after one month has passed from the date the application was filed. This rule also applies to marriages involving foreign nationals, since under Article 56 of the Law “On Private International Law” the procedure for entering into a marriage in Ukraine is governed by Ukrainian law.

However, the month-long wait is not always required. Where there are valid reasons, the head of the civil registry office may allow the registration to take place earlier. Such circumstances must be supported by documents.

The law also provides for special cases. If the bride is pregnant, has already given birth, or there is an immediate threat to the life of one of the parties, the marriage may be registered on the day the application is filed or on another day chosen by the couple within the month.

For a foreign national there is one more important stage — verification that their stay in Ukraine is lawful. Once the application has been filed, the civil registry office sends the relevant request to the territorial body of the State Migration Service. The migration service must report the outcome of the check no later than one day before the scheduled registration date.

That is why it is better to plan the wedding well in advance, especially if the foreign partner is in Ukraine for a limited time. It is also worth checking the documents, translations and legalisation issues ahead of time.

If you need to register a marriage within a short timeframe, or difficulties have arisen with a foreign national’s documents, contact the lawyers of the “Strategic Advocacy” law association.