A foreign or stateless child placed under the guardianship or custody of a Ukrainian citizen acquires Ukrainian citizenship (Article 12 of the Law of Ukraine "On Citizenship of Ukraine").
When it applies
- a Ukrainian citizen is appointed guardian or custodian (or spouses, one of whom is a Ukrainian citizen and the other stateless or a foreigner, provided the child does not acquire the foreigner's citizenship);
- an orphan or a child deprived of parental care is placed in a children's institution, a family-type children's home, a foster family or with a foster carer in Ukraine.
Main documents
- application (a child aged 14+ gives consent), birth certificate, two photos of the child, 35 × 45 mm;
- a guardianship authority or court decision on guardianship or custody, documents on the child's placement;
- documents on the guardian's citizenship;
- if needed — documents on the parents' death, deprivation of parental rights or declaration as missing.
A child who acquired Ukrainian and another country's citizenship at birth or by operation of law may hold both — since 2026 this is expressly provided by law.
Law: "On Citizenship of Ukraine". Official information: State Migration Service.
