Obtaining a Divorce Certificate

What Does Obtaining a Replacement Divorce Certificate Mean?

Obtaining a replacement divorce certificate means requesting a new certificate based on an existing civil status record of divorce. The divorce itself is not registered again: the applicant receives a newly issued certificate confirming the event that was previously registered.

A replacement certificate may be required if the original document has been lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed. A new certificate may also be issued after amendments have been made to the relevant civil status record or after the record has been restored.

The replacement document has the same legal validity as the certificate issued previously. In everyday language, people often refer to the process as “restoring a divorce certificate” or “obtaining a duplicate divorce certificate.” For official purposes, however, “reissuance of a divorce certificate” or “obtaining a replacement divorce certificate” is more accurate.

Obtaining documents from the Ukrainian civil registration authorities is particularly relevant for people living or staying abroad. A divorce certificate may be required to remarry, apply for residence documents, confirm marital status, or meet the requirements of a foreign public authority.

Before starting the process, it is advisable to determine exactly which document is required: a replacement divorce certificate, an extract from the State Register of Civil Status Acts of Citizens, or a court decision.

When Do You Need to Obtain a Replacement Divorce Certificate?

A replacement divorce certificate is primarily needed when the certificate issued previously can no longer be used or when a new copy is required for submission to a particular authority. The exact reason will depend on the individual circumstances and the purpose for which the document is being obtained.

The most common situations include:

• the original divorce certificate has been lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed;
• the document remains in Ukraine while its holder is living or temporarily staying abroad;
• the certificate must be submitted to a foreign public authority, court, consulate, or other institution;
• the document is required for remarriage or to provide evidence of a previous divorce;
• the applicant is completing a citizenship, residence permit, family-related, or other procedure abroad;
• amendments have been made to the civil status record or the record has been restored.

The fact that a divorce certificate was issued many years ago does not automatically mean that a new one is required. If the original certificate is still available and meets the requirements of the authority to which it will be submitted, there may be no need to obtain a replacement. The situation is different if the receiving authority requires a particular type of document or a document prepared for international use. Before requesting a replacement divorce certificate, it is therefore advisable to check the requirements of the relevant country and institution. This helps avoid ordering unnecessary documents and makes it possible to determine in advance whether an apostille, translation, or specific form of certification will also be required.

Divorce Certificate, Civil Registry Extract, or Court Decision: Which Document Do You Need?

A divorce certificate, an extract from the Ukrainian civil status register, and a court decision are different documents. The correct choice depends on how the divorce was formalized and what information needs to be confirmed.

When Is a Divorce Certificate Required?

A divorce certificate is used to confirm a divorce registered by a civil registration authority. If the original document has been lost, a replacement divorce certificate can be obtained provided that the corresponding civil status record exists.

When Is an Extract from the Civil Status Register Required?

An extract concerning a divorce contains information from the State Register of Civil Status Acts of Citizens. It is not simply another name for a divorce certificate.

If a Ukrainian or foreign authority specifically requests an extract from the civil status register concerning a divorce, replacing it with a divorce certificate without prior confirmation may not meet that authority’s requirements.

When Does a Court Decision Serve as Proof of Divorce?

If the divorce is evidenced by a court decision that has entered into legal force, that decision is the document confirming the dissolution of the marriage. This is particularly important for marriages dissolved through court proceedings following changes to the relevant legislation in 2010.

Before requesting any document, it is therefore necessary to check the date and the procedure through which the marriage was dissolved. This helps avoid requesting a certificate when a court decision is actually required for the procedure in question.

Who Can Obtain a Replacement Divorce Certificate?

A replacement divorce certificate may be obtained by either former spouse. In cases provided for by law, documents issued by the civil registration authorities may also be released to a duly authorized representative.

Before submitting a request, the relevant civil status record must be correctly identified. This is particularly important if a surname was changed after the divorce, the document was issued many years ago, or the applicant does not remember which civil registration authority registered the divorce.

Can a Representative Obtain the Document Under a Power of Attorney?

Yes. Documents held by the civil registration authorities may be reissued to a third party who has been duly authorized to act on the applicant’s behalf. For someone living outside Ukraine, this makes it possible to arrange the process without travelling to Ukraine in person.

When the process is handled through the Regional Translation Center, we first review the circumstances and determine which document is required and what form of authorization is needed. This is particularly useful when the divorce certificate must be prepared for use in another country immediately after it has been obtained.

What Documents and Information Are Required?

To obtain a replacement divorce certificate, the applicant must provide enough information to identify them and locate the relevant civil status record. The exact set of documents depends on how the certificate will be obtained and on the individual circumstances.

For applications handled through the Regional Translation Center, we generally ask clients to provide:

• a clear photo of the Ukrainian domestic passport, including the first and second double-page spreads and the page containing registered residence details; for an ID card, clear photos of both the front and back, together with a document containing information about the place of residence;
• a clear photo of the document containing the taxpayer identification number;
• a photo of the document confirming a change of surname if the surname was changed after the divorce or at another time;
• details of the former spouse, the date and place where the divorce was registered, and the civil registration authority, if known.

The more complete the information provided, the easier it is to identify the correct civil status record and prepare the request. If the exact date or the name of the civil registration office is unknown, it is better to state this from the outset rather than present approximate information as certain. Where the document is obtained through a representative, the appropriate document confirming the representative’s authority must also be determined. If the applicant is abroad, the method of executing that document should be agreed in light of the country where the applicant is located and the document’s intended use in Ukraine.

How to Obtain a Replacement Divorce Certificate in Ukraine

There are several ways to obtain a replacement divorce certificate in Ukraine: by applying in person to a civil registration authority, by submitting an online request through the Diia portal, or through an authorized representative. The most suitable option depends on where the applicant is located and whether the certificate will require further processing.

Applying Directly to a Civil Registration Authority

For an in-person application, the applicant contacts a civil registration office and submits a request for a replacement certificate. The officer verifies the necessary information and checks for the relevant civil status record.

This option is convenient for applicants who are in Ukraine and can handle the process themselves. In non-standard cases — for example, where the civil status record is old, needs to be restored, or contains discrepancies — additional steps may be required.

Ordering Through the Diia Portal

As of 2026, replacement divorce certificates can be ordered through the Diia portal. The applicant signs in, completes the online form, pays the applicable fee, and signs the request using a qualified electronic signature or Diia.Signature.

Diia allows applicants to choose delivery through Ukrposhta, either to a post office or by courier. Updates on the processing status are available in the user’s account.

Obtaining the Certificate Through a Representative

Using a representative is a practical option when the applicant is abroad, cannot personally deal with the Ukrainian civil registration authorities, or wants to combine obtaining the certificate with its subsequent preparation for use abroad.

The representative may act only within the authority granted to them. The document confirming those powers must therefore be properly prepared, and the applicant’s personal details should be checked before the process begins. Once the certificate has been obtained, it can either be forwarded to the applicant or, where required for a procedure abroad, first apostilled and translated.

How to Obtain a Divorce Certificate from Ukraine While Abroad

Being outside Ukraine does not necessarily mean that you need to travel to Ukraine to obtain the document. In many cases, the process can be handled through a representative who has been duly authorized to act on your behalf.

In practice, the process usually follows these steps:

determining the required document → checking the available information → arranging the representative’s authorization → obtaining the document in Ukraine → apostille and translation, if required → international delivery.

The first step is to confirm exactly what the foreign authority requires. Depending on the procedure, this may be a replacement divorce certificate, an extract concerning the divorce, or a court decision that has entered into legal force. Checking this before the process begins saves time because document names and legal functions do not always correspond exactly between different countries.

Delivery of a replacement certificate ordered through Diia should also not be confused with international delivery arranged through a representative or specialist service. Diia’s online service provides delivery through Ukrposhta within Ukraine. If the completed document needs to be sent to Poland, Germany, Spain, Italy, France, the Czech Republic, or another country, international delivery must be arranged separately.

The Regional Translation Center can assist throughout the process, from reviewing the initial documents to sending the completed document package to the recipient abroad.

How Long Does It Take to Obtain a Replacement Divorce Certificate?

There is no single processing time that applies to every case. The timeframe depends on how the request is submitted, the status of the civil record, whether the record needs to be located or restored, and whether additional services are required after the certificate is issued.

As of 2026, the Diia portal states a processing time of 3 business days for its standard online replacement divorce certificate service. The service also notes that processing may take longer due to air-raid alerts and power outages.

A standard request should not be treated in the same way as a case involving the search for an old civil status record, discrepancies in personal details, or another additional procedure. Extra time should also be allowed for an apostille, translation, certification, and delivery.

If the document must be submitted abroad by a specific deadline, it is therefore better to consider the entire document preparation process rather than only the time required to obtain the certificate itself.

Do You Need an Apostille and Translation to Use a Divorce Certificate Abroad?

An apostille and translation are not required in every case. The requirements depend on the country where the document will be submitted, applicable international agreements, and the rules of the receiving authority.

When Is an Apostille Required?

An apostille is used to authenticate a Ukrainian official document for use in countries where the relevant procedure under the 1961 Hague Convention applies.

However, this does not mean that every Ukrainian divorce certificate submitted abroad automatically requires an apostille. Ukraine has international agreements with certain countries that may provide for a different procedure for recognizing official documents. The requirements of the destination country should therefore be checked first.

What Type of Translation May a Foreign Authority Require?

A Ukrainian divorce certificate intended for use abroad often needs to be translated into the language of the country where it will be submitted. Translation requirements, however, vary considerably. Some authorities accept a professional translation, while others require a specific form of certification or a translation completed according to the rules applicable in that country.

For this reason, it is best to order a translation of a divorce certificate after confirming the country and the authority where the document will be submitted. The Regional Translation Center can combine obtaining the document with apostille services, professional translation, and the required form of certification so that the client receives a complete document package prepared for its intended use.

How the Regional Translation Center Can Help You Obtain and Prepare the Document

The Regional Translation Center can arrange not only the retrieval of a replacement divorce certificate but also its further preparation for use in Ukraine or abroad.

We first review the circumstances: when and how the marriage was dissolved, which documents the client still has, and what exactly the receiving authority requires. This allows us to determine whether the client needs a replacement divorce certificate, an extract from the civil status register, or another document.

Depending on the circumstances, we then arrange for the required document to be obtained. Once issued, it can be apostilled or otherwise prepared as required, professionally translated, appropriately certified, and delivered to the client.

This approach is particularly convenient for clients living outside Ukraine, as the main stages can be combined into a single coordinated process. To determine which documents you need and how they should be prepared, contact the Regional Translation Center and let us know the destination country and the purpose for which the documents will be submitted.