When the law has no borders: how a family abroad obtained citizenship for their child
A family from Donetsk region who had to leave Ukraine because of the war was unable to formalize Ukrainian citizenship for their child for two years. Only at the end of 2025 did the family receive confirmation of citizenship — after prolonged legal support.
The child was born outside Ukraine in 2021. Both parents are Ukrainian citizens by birth. After the start of the full-scale invasion, the family has been living in Canada. Despite this, obtaining citizenship proved difficult: the consular office refused to accept the documents due to discrepancies in the transliteration of names, requested additional confirmations, and questioned the consistency of the data.
The situation risked turning into a lengthy court dispute, which would have been difficult for the family to pursue while living abroad. The family sought assistance through the PravoVsim platform, which provides access to legal aid regardless of a person’s location.
The case was supported by a lawyer with many years of professional experience and a volunteer of the platform, Hanna Bondarenko. She analyzed the documents, prepared a well-reasoned submission to the consular department, provided recommendations on collecting evidence, and explained the procedure for reapplying through the e-Consul system. The application clearly confirmed the child’s right to Ukrainian citizenship by birth.
“I had serious doubts that the consulate would issue the certificate. I thought we would have to go to court. But in the end, we received everything,” the lawyer commented on the case.
As a result, the consulate issued confirmation of citizenship. The next step for the family was applying for a passport.
This story demonstrates that even outside Ukraine and under martial law, it is possible to defend one’s rights. Timely legal support helps overcome bureaucratic barriers and protect the interests of families and children.
You can receive a consultation and individual recommendations from lawyer Hanna Bondarenko through the PravoVsim platform via the link.
