Exiting Ukraine as children and teenagers

If you are under 18 years old, and you want to exit Ukraine on your own, or with someone that it is not your parent or close relative, there are different rules and procedures.

  • If you are 16 or older– if you are between 16 and 18 years old, under Ukrainian law, you are allowed to cross the border without an accompanying adult.
  • Below the age of 16 – if you are traveling without an authorized adult, you will not be allowed to cross the border, and you will be referred to the Department of Child Care Services within Ukraine.

If you have not reached the age of 16 you can cross the border if you are accompanied by an adult relative (i.e., grandparent, aunt/uncle, adult sibling, or step-parent). To be allowed to exit Ukraine you and the adult relative you are traveling with, will need to provide certain documents, this may include:

  • an international passport, or in the absence of an international passport, a birth certificate or National Passport (National ID);
  • documents confirming family ties (birth certificates, marriage certification, etc.) and/or,
  • a written statement from one of the parents, that has been certified by the Guardianship Authority in Ukraine (in case kinship cannot be confirmed through presented documentation).

If you have not reached the age of 16 you can also cross the border accompanied by an adult who has been authorized by one of the parents to care for you. The adult must submit a written statement from one of the parents that has been certified by the Guardianship Authority in Ukraine.

While not specified in the policy under martial law, in practice, there have been some cases in which border guards have requested to submit notarized consent of the child’s parents (if they reside in the western part of the country) giving permission for the accompanying adult relative to care for and travel with you. This comment related to the issue that the notarized services are more available in Western/Central Ukraine than in a zone of active hostilities.

You will also need to provide your international passport, or the child’s birth certificate or National Passport (National ID).

In the case of children with serious illness or disability crossing the border, additional guidance has been provided by the Ministry of Social Policy outlining additional procedures and documentation.