Taking a child abroad: consent and documents

In short

Under martial law the rules for taking children abroad are simplified. In most cases, when a child under 16 is accompanied by one of the parents, the notarized consent of the other parent is not required. But there are exceptions and specific document requirements — and these rules are temporary, so check the current version before you travel.

Who can accompany a child without the other parent's consent

A child under 16 may leave Ukraine without the notarized consent of the other parent when accompanied by:

• one of the parents;
• a grandmother or grandfather;
• an adult brother or sister;
• a stepmother or stepfather.

In that case you need documents proving the family relationship (the child's birth certificate and, if needed, other documents proving the accompanying relative's kinship).

When consent or extra documents are required

• Accompanied by another person (not a relative) — e.g. a coach, a group leader, acquaintances: you need the notarized consent of both parents, or a statement by one parent certified by the guardianship authority (children's services), stating the destination country, the duration of the trip and the accompanying person's details.
• The child is leaving for permanent residence abroad — a separate procedure and documents apply.

Border guards may also ask for documents confirming a special situation (in which the other parent's consent is not required at all): a court decision on the child's place of residence or permitting travel without consent, a death certificate, documents on deprivation of parental rights or a declaration of a missing person, a single-mother status certificate, a certificate of alimony arrears exceeding four months, and so on.

Children aged 16 and over

A person who has turned 16 may leave the country independently on their own (biometric) international passport — no parental consent or other permissions are needed.

Documents to bring

• the child's (biometric) international passport;
• the child's birth certificate;
• documents proving the family relationship with the accompanying person (if not a parent);
• where relevant — the notarized consent / guardianship-certified statement and documents supporting an exception (see above).

If the other parent objects

Disputes over participation in upbringing and taking a child abroad are resolved by a court (arts. 157, 161 of the Family Code): the parent who wants to travel can ask the court for permission to leave without the other's consent. The court decides based on the best interests of the child.

If you already live abroad

The rules apply at the Ukrainian border — in both directions, so they equally cover a child travelling from abroad into Ukraine and back (to grandparents accompanied by a relative, for instance).

• The consent or statement can be issued where you are: at a Ukrainian consular office — in Ukrainian, with no apostille or translation; or before a foreign notary, followed by an apostille (or consular legalisation) and a notarized Ukrainian translation. Countries with a legal-assistance treaty, such as Poland and the Czech Republic, are the exception and need no apostille.
• A father aged 18–60 will need a valid electronic military registration document: consular services, including those on behalf of a minor child, are provided only on presentation of the е-ВОД from Reserv+. This is the most common reason a consular appointment falls through (see the link below).
• A child's international passport is issued at the consulate or at the overseas centres of the state enterprise "Dokument".

Legal basis

• Law of Ukraine "On the Procedure for Departure from and Entry into Ukraine of Citizens of Ukraine";
• Rules for Crossing the State Border by Citizens of Ukraine, approved by CMU Resolution No. 57 of 27.01.1995;
• Family Code of Ukraine, arts. 141, 157, 161, 313.