The Southern Interregional Department of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine has prepared a special algorithm for citizens who want to dissolve a marriage while abroad. This algorithm will help to understand the legal nuances of divorce under various circumstances. In particular, several methods are indicated, depending on the situation of the spouses.
- Divorce by court order (if there are children or difficulties with submitting a joint application)
If the spouses have joint minor children or cannot submit a joint application for divorce due to being in different countries, it is necessary to go to court. In such a case, divorce can be carried out in court, while it is possible to submit an application through the online service of the Electronic Court system. - Joint application at a diplomatic mission (for spouses without children)
A spouse who does not have children in common and resides in the same country can submit a joint application for divorce to the nearest diplomatic mission of Ukraine. It is important to note that it is not possible to dissolve a marriage online in the state registry of civil status acts abroad. - Submitting an application to the DRATS body abroad
In the event that one of the spouses cannot personally submit an application to the DRATS body due to being abroad, he or she can notarize the application and send it to the other party for submission. The application can be sent by mail, and the second spouse must make a notarized translation and submit the application to the DRATSS body. The divorce will take place after a month, if the application is not withdrawn. - Divorce according to the laws of the country of residence
Another option is to contact the competent authorities of the country of residence for divorce. The divorce procedure in such a case will be carried out in accordance with the legislation of the country where one of the spouses lives.
