A foreign or stateless child acquires Ukrainian citizenship if both parents or one parent are Ukrainian citizens (Article 14 of the Law of Ukraine "On Citizenship of Ukraine"). This applies in particular when:
- both parents are Ukrainian citizens;
- one parent is a Ukrainian citizen and the other is stateless or a foreigner;
- a parent acquired Ukrainian citizenship after the child was born.
The registration is done by the Migration Service or a consulate on the parents' application. A child aged 14 or over gives written consent.
Main documents
- parents' application, the child's birth certificate (a foreign one — legalised or apostilled unless a treaty exempts it, with a notarised translation);
- documents proving the father's or mother's Ukrainian citizenship;
- documents on the citizenship of the child and the other parent;
- two photos of the child, 35 × 45 mm.
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.
