Is a marriage registered in Ukraine recognised abroad

After marrying a foreign national, a natural question arises: will a Ukrainian marriage certificate have legal force in the country of the husband or wife? In most cases a marriage lawfully registered in Ukraine can be recognised abroad, yet the way Ukrainian documents are used depends on the law of the particular state.

Article 56 of the Law of Ukraine “On Private International Law” provides that the form and procedure for entering into a marriage in Ukraine between a Ukrainian citizen and a foreign national are governed by Ukrainian law. In other words, if the marriage was duly registered in Ukraine, the couple receives an official marriage certificate.

However, using that document outside Ukraine may require additional procedures. Depending on the state, this may be an apostille, consular legalisation or another way of confirming that the document is genuine. In many cases an official translation of the certificate into the language of the country where it will be submitted is also required.

Ukraine’s international treaties matter a great deal here. With certain states there are arrangements that simplify, or remove altogether, the requirement for additional certification of official documents. That is precisely why there is no universal rule that “an apostille is always needed for abroad”. Before preparing the documents, you need to check the requirements of the very country where the certificate is to be used.

It is also worth distinguishing between recognition of the marriage itself and acceptance of the Ukrainian certificate by the public authorities of another country. The marriage may be treated as valid, but for a residence permit, citizenship, inheritance, a change of surname or other procedures, the foreign authority may require a document drawn up with additional formalities.

So before relocating or submitting documents abroad, it is advisable to check the rules of the particular state in advance.

If you need to establish how a Ukrainian marriage is recognised abroad, prepare the documents, or determine whether an apostille or legalisation is required, contact the lawyers of the “Strategic Advocacy” law association.