From 3 September 2026, couples in Ukraine can dissolve their marriage entirely online through the Diia mobile application. This is one of the most significant recent digital developments in Ukrainian family law. While the new service does not replace the existing divorce mechanisms, it streamlines the administrative procedure for a clearly defined category of spouses. The service is implemented jointly by the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine and the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine through the civil status registration authorities (DRATS).
Who is eligible?
An online divorce is available only if all the following conditions are met:
- both spouses mutually consent to the divorce
- the spouses have no joint minor children
- both spouses are citizens of Ukraine
- each spouse has a verified Diia.Signature on their mobile device
- the marriage record is available in Diia, and both users have verified digital documents in the application
How does the procedure work?
The process is fully digital. One spouse submits the divorce application through Diia, while the other confirms it electronically. The spouses then participate in a video conference with a DRATS officer on the selected date and time, no earlier than one month after the application is submitted.
The initiating spouse pays the state fee in a single payment when filing the application. The cost of the service is UAH 2,872.
There is no need to visit a DRATS office in person. A paper divorce certificate is mailed to each spouse at the address specified by them, while information confirming the dissolution of the marriage is automatically reflected in Diia.
Importantly, the digital format does not waive the requirements of the Family Code of Ukraine. As with an in-person application to DRATS, there is a mandatory one-month withdrawal period during which either spouse may revoke the application. Only after this period expires, and the video conference has taken place DRATS officially register the divorce. The marriage is legally terminated on the date of its state registration.
Important: an online divorce does not resolve all family law issues
A common misconception is that dissolving a marriage automatically settles all related legal matters. It does not. The Diia procedure does not address:
- division of marital property
- child support or spousal maintenance
- family disputes involving a foreign element or recognition and enforcement of decisions abroad
- other related family law claims
The new digital service is an efficient solution for a straightforward, uncontested divorce. Couples who do not use Diia may still file for divorce in person at a DRATS office.
However, where a marriage involves real estate, a business, joint investments, assets located abroad, foreign citizenship of one spouse, or potential disputes concerning children, it is advisable to develop a legal strategy before initiating divorce proceedings. At this stage, advice from experienced family law practitioners can be essential to protect your rights and avoid future disputes in both Ukrainian and cross-border matters.
For more information, please contact Asters' Partner Talina Kravtsova and Counsel Yuri Neklyaev.
