A marriage in Ukraine can be dissolved in two ways — through the Civil Registry Office (RACS) or through the court. Which one applies depends on whether there are children and whether both spouses agree. We explain the procedure, the timelines and what happens with child support.

In brief

If there are no children and both agree, the Civil Registry Office dissolves the marriage on a joint application within a month. If there are minor children or someone objects — only through the court. Questions of child support, the children’s place of residence and division of property are decided separately: they can be settled by agreement or through the courts.

Divorce through the Civil Registry Office

This is the simplest route — but available only when both conditions are met: the spouses have no common minor children and both agree to divorce. A joint application is filed, and after one month the marriage is dissolved. The registry office does not investigate the reasons and does not reconcile — it simply records the end of the marriage.

A separate case is dissolution on the application of one spouse (if the other is declared missing, legally incapable or sentenced to more than 3 years).

Divorce through the court

Spouses divorce through the court when there are common minor children or one of the spouses is against the divorce. The procedure depends on the situation:

  • Both agree but there are children — a joint application is filed with the court together with an agreement on whom the children stay with and how their maintenance is provided. The court makes a decision without investigating the reasons.
  • One is against — a claim is filed. The court may grant time for reconciliation (up to 6 months) and dissolves the marriage if it establishes that further life together is impossible.

A court fee is paid for a claim to dissolve a marriage.

Child support

Child support does not depend on the fact of divorce itself — it is claimed separately. The amount is determined in one of two ways:

  • as a share of the payer’s income — roughly a quarter for one child, a third for two, half for three or more (the court decides taking the circumstances into account);
  • as a fixed sum of money — when income is irregular or the payer has hidden sources of it.

The law guarantees a minimum amount of support — no less than 50% of the subsistence minimum for a child of the relevant age. Child support can be arranged voluntarily (by a notarised agreement) or claimed through the court.

ImportantDivorce and questions of children/property are separate proceedings. Dissolving a marriage does not automatically decide whom the children live with, who pays support and how property is divided. These questions are best settled at the same time — by agreement or by claim — so you don’t return to the courts later.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a divorce take?

Through the registry office — one month from filing the application. Through the court — from a few weeks to a few months (the court may grant up to 6 months for reconciliation).

Can you divorce if the husband or wife is against it?

Yes, through the court. The other spouse’s disagreement is no obstacle — the court dissolves the marriage if life together has become impossible.

Can you divorce with children without a court?

No. Where there are common minor children, dissolution of the marriage happens only through the court, even if both agree.

Planning a divorce or a support dispute?

We will handle the dissolution of the marriage, recovery of child support and determination of the children’s place of residence — with minimum stress for you.

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