Key facts
- Ukraine is the first country to enable legal marriage entirely online via video call.
- Over 62,000 couples have married through the Diia app's online service.
- The digital divorce service is available for couples divorcing by mutual consent without minor children.
- A mandatory one-month reconciliation period precedes online divorce finalization.
- The government aims to make services virtually invisible yet instantly available.
Ukraine has pioneered groundbreaking digital government services, enabling citizens to marry and divorce online through the Diia app. This initiative aims to eliminate bureaucracy and make essential life events more accessible, even amidst the ongoing war.
Since September 2024, couples have been able to legally marry entirely online via video call. Over 62,000 couples have utilized this service, with more than 2,000 service members marrying from the front lines. Roman Lozynskyi, a Member of Parliament and servicemember, and Svitlana Kisilova, a UNICEF specialist, were among the first to use the digital marriage service, highlighting its value in maintaining connections despite wartime challenges.
The Ministry of Digital Transformation has also launched beta testing for an online divorce service. This service is available to couples divorcing by mutual consent who do not have minor children, as court proceedings are still required in such cases. The process involves a joint digital application, a mandatory one-month reconciliation period, and a final confirmation via video call with a civil registry official. The ministry plans a nationwide rollout soon, emphasizing that digitalization streamlines processes without compromising legal safeguards or emotional considerations.
Ukraine's digital transformation efforts are presented as a model for other countries, demonstrating how government services can adapt to people's lives, respecting their time and trust.