Securing Ukrainian Citizenship for a Child Born Abroad

Securing Ukrainian Citizenship for a Child Born Abroad: A Simple Guide

At Legal Light Consulting, we understand that navigating legal procedures for a new child can be overwhelming, especially when international laws are involved.

If you are a Ukrainian citizen and your child was born in a foreign country like India, this guide will walk you through the essential process of obtaining official confirmation of their Ukrainian citizenship by birth.

The key document you will receive is a Certificate of Registration of a Person as a Citizen of Ukraine. This certificate is the crucial first step for your child to later receive a Ukrainian passport.

Who Can Apply?

The process is straightforward. Only one parent who is a citizen of Ukraine needs to submit the application. The good news is that neither the child nor the other parent (whether they are a foreigner or also a Ukrainian citizen) needs to be physically present at the Embassy.

Required Documents Checklist

To register your child’s citizenship, you will need to prepare the following documents:

1. Application Form: A completed application for registering the child’s acquisition of Ukrainian citizenship by birth.

2. Parent’s Ukrainian Passport: The original and a copy of your valid Ukrainian passport for traveling abroad (or another document that confirms your Ukrainian citizenship).

3. Child’s Birth Certificate: The original and a copy of the birth certificate issued by the local authorities (e.g., the Civil Registry Office in India).

Crucial Details About the Birth Certificate

This is the most important part of the process, so please pay close attention to the requirements:

• Legalization: The foreign birth certificate must be officially legalized (apostilled or authenticated) in the country where it was issued.

• Translation: Both the birth certificate itself and the legalization stamp must be translated into Ukrainian by a certified translator.

• Parental Information: The birth certificate must include the full names of both parents.

• Accuracy of Names: This is critical. Names and surnames are not translated; they must be transliterated (written using Ukrainian letters to mimic the original sound).

  • Example: The name “Michele” should become “Микеле” in the translation, not “Михайло”.

• Matching Spellings:

  • The child’s surname on the birth certificate must match the spelling in the Ukrainian passport of at least one parent.

  • The parents’ names and surnames in the certificate and its translation must exactly match how they appear in their Ukrainian international passports.

Important Note on the Child’s Surname: The foreign Civil Registry Office will typically assign the child either the father’s surname or the mother’s surname (if the father is not listed on the certificate). Ensure this is correctly reflected.

The Process and Timeline

Once you submit the complete application package to the Embassy of Ukraine:

• Decision Timeline: The Consul will make a decision within one month.

• In Case of Refusal: If the application is denied, you will receive a written explanation within a week of the decision.

• In Case of Success: Upon approval, your child will be officially registered as a Ukrainian citizen, and you will receive the Certificate of Registration.

Key Points to Remember

• No Consular Fee: There is no fee for the initial issuance of this certificate for a child registering citizenship by birth.

• One-Time Issuance: This certificate is issued only once. Re-registration is not allowed.

• Safeguard the Certificate: This document is vital. If the original is lost or damaged, the Embassy can issue a confirmation certificate, but this involves a fee ($30 for 5-day processing or $60 for 1-day processing).

How Legal Light Consulting Can Help

While the process is designed to be clear, the strict requirements for document preparation, especially regarding legalization and transliteration, can be tricky. An error can lead to delays or refusal.

The team at Legal Light Consulting can assist you by:

• Reviewing your specific situation.

• Ensuring all documents are correctly prepared and meet the Embassy’s requirements.

• Providing guidance on certified translation and legalization services.

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Procedures can change, so we recommend consulting with our legal experts or contacting the Embassy of Ukraine directly for the most current information before applying.

For professional assistance with securing your child’s Ukrainian citizenship, contact Legal Light Consulting today.