Rules for children traveling abroad: when notarized consent of the second parent is not required
Summer holidays remain a period of active trips abroad, so the issue of children crossing the state border traditionally becomes especially relevant. To avoid unforeseen situations during travel, parents should check in advance which documents are necessary for the child’s departure and in which cases the consent of the second parent is required. During the martial law in Ukraine, a simplified border crossing procedure applies to minors, but it depends on who exactly accompanies the child.
When the consent of the second parent is not required
The Ministry of Justice notes that during martial law, a simplified procedure for leaving the country applies to Ukrainian citizens under 16 years of age.
In particular, if the child is accompanied by the mother or father, notarized consent of the second parent for crossing the state border is not required.
Also, without such consent, the child can travel abroad together with:
- grandmother or grandfather;
- adult brother or sister;
- stepmother or stepfather.
In this case, the persons accompanying the child must have documents confirming family ties. These can be birth certificates, marriage certificates, adoption papers, or other documents confirming the relevant status.
What documents are needed if the child is accompanied by non-relatives
If the child travels with persons who are not close relatives, a different departure procedure applies.
In this case, it is necessary to have:
- a written statement from one of the parents, certified by the guardianship authority; or
- notarized consents of both parents.
When the decision of one parent is sufficient
The legislation also provides cases when the child’s departure abroad requires only the will of one parent. Such grounds are defined by the Rules for crossing the state border by citizens of Ukraine.
This is possible if the second parent:
- has died;
- has been deprived of parental rights;
- has been declared missing;
- has been declared legally incapacitated.
Additionally, the child’s departure is possible based on a court decision granting permission to leave Ukraine without the consent and accompaniment of the second parent.
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