Over 5,000 Ukrainians exercised their right to change their name in the first half of 2025. According to the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, 5,017 such cases were recorded. The largest number was in the capital: 784 residents of Kyiv filed relevant applications.
Among the regions, the leaders were also Dnipropetrovsk region (433 cases), Lviv region (403), Odesa region (359), Kyiv region (335), and Kharkiv region (255).
Who and how can change a name in Ukraine?
According to the law, every citizen of Ukraine who has reached the age of 16 has the right to change their first name, last name, or patronymic. Persons aged 14 to 16 can do this with the written consent of their parents or guardian.
To do this, you need to contact the Department of State Registration of Civil Status Acts (DRACS) at your place of residence. If a person permanently resides abroad, contact a consular office.
What is needed to change your name?
The procedure includes submitting an application and a mandatory package of documents:
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passport of a citizen of Ukraine;
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birth certificate;
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marriage or divorce documents (if any);
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documents about children (if available);
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photo card;
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a written undertaking to provide truthful information;
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receipt for payment of state duty (5.10 UAH for the first change, 51 UAH for the second).
For persons aged 14–16, parental consent is also required.
After submitting the application, the documents are checked, in particular by means of inquiries to the police. It is checked whether there are no criminal records, wanted persons, false information. The application is considered for up to three months, in some cases up to six months.
What happens after approval?
If the name change is approved, the applicant receives an official certificate. After that, within three months, documents must be updated - passport, identification code, diplomas, legal documents, etc.
If, within this period, a person does not contact the DRACS to obtain a certificate, the permit will be canceled, and the procedure will have to be repeated.
The Ministry of Justice notes: as part of the accessibility policy, the simplest and most accessible conditions have been created so that everyone can exercise their right to change their name without discrimination and unnecessary obstacles.
