Divorce Through Court in Ukraine
We help clients obtain a divorce through court in Ukraine: we prepare the claim, file documents with the court, represent the client and help obtain the court decision.
If you are outside Ukraine or cannot attend court hearings in person, the case can usually be handled remotely. In most cases, a legal services agreement with an advocate and an advocate's order are sufficient; a notarised power of attorney is not required.
Legal support fee: from UAH 5,000 for court representation, from UAH 2,500 for preparation of the divorce claim. Yurinkom Law Firm, Kyiv, legal practice since 1992.
Updated: May 2026. Page prepared by advocate Igor Balaban.
If you need legal support or a review of your situation, contact us.
When divorce requires a court and when the Civil Registry Office is enough
A marriage can be dissolved through the Civil Registry Office in Ukraine, also known as DRACS or ZAGS, if both spouses agree and they do not have common children under 18.
A property dispute does not prevent divorce through the Civil Registry Office. If there are no common minor children and both spouses agree to divorce, property issues can be resolved separately: by agreement, by notarial arrangement or in a separate court case.
Divorce through court is required when:
- the spouses have common minor children;
- one spouse does not agree to the divorce;
- the other spouse avoids filing documents or does not respond;
- the whereabouts of the other spouse are unknown;
- divorce through the Civil Registry Office is not possible.
Property division, child support and disputes about where children will live are usually better handled separately from the divorce itself. The divorce case is often faster. A property dispute or a dispute concerning a child may take much longer. Even if all claims are filed together, the court may separate them into different proceedings.
Two ways to divorce through court
Both spouses agree, but they have children
If both spouses agree to divorce and can agree on the issues concerning their children, they may file a joint application with the court. It is usually filed together with a written agreement stating where the children will live, how the other parent will take part in their upbringing and how the children will be supported.
If the spouses conclude a child support agreement, it must be notarised. This route is usually faster than a disputed divorce claim filed by one spouse.
Claim filed by one spouse
If the other spouse does not agree, avoids participation, is outside Ukraine or does not respond, one spouse may file a divorce claim with the court.
The other spouse's objection does not automatically block the divorce. The court reviews the circumstances and decides whether there are grounds to dissolve the marriage.
Remote divorce support without a notarised power of attorney
For court representation by an advocate, the client usually does not need a notarised power of attorney. We sign a legal services agreement, and the advocate files an advocate's order with the court.
If the client is outside Ukraine, the agreement can be signed remotely. Documents can be sent electronically. The advocate prepares the claim, files it with the court and represents the client without the client's personal attendance, unless the court requires otherwise.
If you want to attend a hearing, this can be arranged by video link if the court allows that format. If your personal participation is not required, the advocate handles the court case independently.
Which court hears a divorce case in Ukraine
As a general rule, a divorce claim is filed with the court at the registered place of residence of the other spouse.
In some situations, the claimant may file the claim at their own registered place of residence: for example, if children under 18 live with the claimant, if health reasons make travel to another city difficult, or if the spouses agree on the court that will hear the case.
Before filing the claim, we check which court can lawfully hear the case in your specific situation. This matters because filing in the wrong court can delay the process.
How the court divorce process works
- Initial review. You explain the situation: whether there are children, where the other spouse is, whether there are objections, and whether property, child support or child residence issues need to be handled separately.
- Signing the agreement. We sign a legal services agreement. If you are outside Ukraine, it can be signed remotely.
- Preparing the claim. We prepare the divorce claim and the document package for the court.
- Filing with the court. We file the claim. The court fee is paid separately and the payment receipt is attached to the documents.
- Court hearings. The advocate represents your interests. If needed and allowed by the court, you may join a hearing by video link.
- Court decision. The court issues a divorce decision. If no appeal is filed, the decision becomes final after the appeal period, normally 30 days, expires.
- Checking the registry record. By law, the court must send the final decision to the Civil Registry Office so that the relevant information is entered in the register. In practice, this is not always done quickly. After receiving the decision, it is advisable to check whether the divorce record has been updated. If needed, you can contact the Civil Registry Office with a copy of the court decision.
Documents required for divorce
- copy of the claimant's passport or ID card;
- marriage certificate;
- birth certificates of common children, if there are children under 18;
- registered address or last known address of the other spouse;
- tax number of the claimant, if available;
- receipt confirming payment of the court fee;
- documents relating to common property, but only if a property division claim is filed at the same time.
If the client is outside Ukraine, documents can be sent electronically. Originals or additional documents may be required depending on the situation.
How long divorce through court takes
In a typical uncomplicated case, court divorce in Ukraine takes about 2-4 months until the court decision is issued.
After the decision is issued, there is an appeal period, normally 30 days. If no appeal is filed, the decision becomes final and the marriage is considered dissolved.
The process may take longer if the respondent avoids participation, if the court has difficulty notifying a party, or if property division, child support or child-related claims are included in the same case. Often these claims are better filed separately so that the divorce itself is not delayed.
Cost of divorce through court in Ukraine
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Preparation of a divorce claim | from UAH 2,500 |
| Court representation from claim to court decision | from UAH 5,000 |
| Cases involving children, property or child support disputes | by agreement |
| Appeal proceedings | by agreement |
| Court fee for a divorce claim | 0.4 of the subsistence minimum for able-bodied persons as of the filing date; paid separately by the claimant |
The legal fee is agreed before work begins. The court fee and possible case-specific expenses are paid separately.
Divorce during martial law in Ukraine
During martial law, courts in Ukraine continue to hear divorce cases. The divorce process has not been suspended.
Hearings may be held by video link, which is useful for clients who are outside Ukraine or cannot attend in person. At the same time, the duration of court proceedings may increase because of court workload and practical delays.
What confirms divorce after a court decision
If the marriage is dissolved by court, it ends on the date when the court decision becomes final.
A separate divorce certificate is usually not issued after a court divorce. The document confirming the divorce is the final court decision.
After receiving the court decision, it is advisable to check whether the divorce information has been entered in the register. For this purpose, you can contact the Civil Registry Office with a copy of the court decision.
When property, child support or child issues should be handled separately
Divorce and property division are different legal issues. The divorce itself can often be completed faster, while a property dispute may take longer: documents need to be collected, property may need to be valued, and in some cases expert evidence may be required.
The same applies to disputes about where a child will live, how the other parent will participate in upbringing, and child support. These claims can be filed together with the divorce claim, but in practice the court may separate them into different cases. Before filing, it is better to decide whether it is practical to combine the claims or first obtain the divorce and handle the disputed issues separately.
Why Yurinkom
- the case is handled by an advocate;
- remote work is possible if the client is outside Ukraine;
- for court representation, a legal services agreement and advocate's order are usually sufficient; a notarised power of attorney is not required;
- we check which court can lawfully hear the case;
- we represent the client without personal attendance, unless the court requires otherwise;
- legal practice since 1992;
- the fee is agreed before work begins.
To discuss your situation, contact us.
Frequently asked questions
When does divorce require a court, and when is the Civil Registry Office enough?
The Civil Registry Office can dissolve a marriage if both spouses agree and there are no common children under 18. A property dispute does not prevent this procedure. Court divorce is required if there are common minor children, no consent from the other spouse, or the divorce cannot be completed through the Civil Registry Office.
Does the other spouse need to agree to the divorce?
No. The other spouse's objection does not automatically block the divorce. The court reviews the circumstances and decides whether there are grounds to dissolve the marriage.
Can I divorce in Ukraine if one spouse is abroad?
Yes. If the claimant is outside Ukraine, the legal services agreement can usually be signed remotely and the case can be handled without travelling to Ukraine. If the respondent is abroad, the court may proceed after proper notification.
Do I need a notarised power of attorney?
Usually no. An advocate represents the client in court on the basis of a legal services agreement and an advocate's order. A notarised power of attorney, notarised signature or apostille for the legal services agreement is usually not required.
How much does divorce through court in Ukraine cost?
Preparation of a divorce claim costs from UAH 2,500. Court representation from claim to court decision costs from UAH 5,000. The court fee is paid separately.
How long does divorce through court take?
In a typical case, it takes about 2-4 months until the court decision is issued. If no appeal is filed, the decision becomes final after the appeal period, normally 30 days, expires.
What if we have common children under 18?
If the spouses have common minor children, the divorce must go through court. Issues concerning where the children will live, child support and parental participation in upbringing can be filed together with the divorce or handled separately.
Can a divorce claim be filed if the wife is pregnant or the child is under one year old?
As of May 2026, the previous restrictions on filing a divorce claim during the wife's pregnancy or within one year after the child's birth have been removed from the Family Code of Ukraine. However, if there is a small child, the court still considers the child's interests and the family circumstances.
Can property division be decided at the same time?
Yes, it can. In practice, however, a property dispute is often better handled separately: the divorce itself is usually faster, while property division may take considerably longer. The court may also separate property claims into a different proceeding.
Can spouses divorce during martial law?
Yes. Ukrainian courts continue to hear divorce cases during martial law. Hearings may be held by video link, but the duration of proceedings may increase because of court workload.
What document confirms divorce after a court decision?
The divorce is confirmed by the final court decision. After receiving the decision, it is advisable to check whether the divorce information has been entered in the register and, if needed, contact the Civil Registry Office with a copy of the decision.