What documents do you need for Ukrainian citizenship?

Where the list comes from

Documents for Ukrainian citizenship are listed in the Procedure for Proceedings on Applications and Submissions on Citizenship Matters, approved by Decree of the President No. 215/2001. Paragraph 61 describes the general package for acceptance into citizenship (naturalization). Paragraphs 62-71 set out separate packages for particular categories of applicants. The forms of applications, declarations and undertakings were approved by an order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. An overview of every route is given in the guide to the ways of obtaining Ukrainian citizenship.

The general package

For acceptance into citizenship under Article 9 of the Law "On Citizenship of Ukraine" No. 2235-III, the general package consists of:

Each of these papers backs up one of the conditions of naturalization. Those conditions are explained in the article on acceptance into citizenship.

• an application for acceptance into Ukrainian citizenship;
• photographs measuring 35 × 45 mm;
• one of the four documents on foreign citizenship;
• a document proving continuous residence in Ukraine, usually your passport document;
• a copy of the дозвіл на імміграцію (immigration permit);
• a document confirming command of the state language and a document confirming that you passed the exams on the basics of the Constitution and the history of Ukraine;
• a document on lawful means of subsistence.

Means of subsistence

Lawful means of subsistence are proven with income documents. Typical examples are a certificate from your employer, an entrepreneur's tax return or a pension certificate. A document showing that a family member supports you is accepted too.

Savings are another option. In that case the balance on your bank account must be at least twelve subsistence minimums per person, calculated at the subsistence minimum in force on the day you file the application. A bank statement serves as the proof.

Criminal record certificate

Paragraph 72 of the Procedure requires a document confirming that you did not commit abroad an act which the Criminal Code of Ukraine treats as a grave or especially grave crime. The certificate is valid for the period stated in it. Where no period is stated, it is accepted only for a limited time from the date of issue. Order it among the last documents in your package.

Stateless persons, refugees, contract servicemen and members of their families are exempt from this certificate, and so are some other categories. How to obtain one is explained in the article on the criminal record certificate.

Packages by category

For some categories the Procedure sets its own package. The table below compares them with the general one.

Territorial origin

Citizenship under Article 8 of the law uses a different package. You need neither an immigration permit nor documents on residence. What you do need is proof that you or your relative was born or permanently lived on the relevant territory before 24 August 1991, plus a chain of documents showing the family link. Details are in the article on citizenship by territorial origin.

Document on foreign citizenship

Together with the application you file one of the four documents provided for by the law. These are the declaration recognising oneself as a citizen of Ukraine, the undertaking to terminate foreign citizenship, the declaration of renunciation of foreign citizenship and the declaration of absence of foreign citizenship. Which one applies to you depends on your citizenship and your category. Read more in the article on multiple citizenship.

Requirements for foreign documents

Documents issued abroad are legalised or apostilled, unless an international treaty exempts them from this. They are then translated into Ukrainian, and the translation is notarised. The procedure is described in the article on apostille and legalisation.

Names in the translations have to match the spelling already used in your Ukrainian documents, for example in your посвідка (residence permit). A mismatch in spelling is a frequent reason why documents are sent back for correction.

Where to apply

The application goes to the territorial office or unit of the ДМС (State Migration Service, DMS) where you live. Foreigners who permanently live abroad file their documents with a Ukrainian embassy or consulate. For a child, the documents are filed by the parents or legal representatives.

Lawyer's experience

Packages most often come back because of small inconsistencies. A name spelled one way in the passport and another way in a certificate. A translation without notarisation. A criminal record certificate that has expired. That is why I cross-check every document against the others before filing.

My second tip concerns means of subsistence. Income documents must be current on the filing date, so prepare them last, together with the criminal record certificate.

If you are preparing documents for citizenship, I will check your package at a migration law consultation.

Frequently asked questions