TL;DR: In 2026, crossing Ukraine's border with a child remains simplified due to martial law. Children under 16 may travel with one parent or close relatives (grandparents, adult sibling, stepmother/stepfather) without a notarized consent from the second parent. From age 16, children may travel alone with a passport. Notarized consent is required only for travel with third parties (coach, family friends, acquaintances).
Basic documents for the child
- Biometric international passport — mandatory for all children of any age.
- Birth certificate — confirms family ties. A laminated original is accepted, but the border guard may request additional supporting documents.
- Documents of the accompanying person — passport, ID card, and documents proving the family relationship with the child.
Travel with close relatives
During martial law, notarized parental consent is NOT required if the child is accompanied by:
- one of the parents (mother or father);
- a grandmother or grandfather;
- an adult brother or sister;
- a stepmother or stepfather (with marriage documents).
To confirm family ties, the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine requires birth certificates of both the child and the accompanying person showing kinship. More on the rules — on the Border Crossing Rules page.
Travel with third parties
If the accompanying person is NOT a close relative (coach, family friend, acquaintances), the following is required:
- notarized consent of both parents, OR
- a statement from one parent, certified by the guardianship authority (children's service), specifying the country, duration of travel, and full details of the accompanying person.
Independent travel from age 16
A child aged 16 and older has the right to cross the border alone with only a biometric international passport — parental consent or any other permission is not required.
Exceptions: when consent of the second parent is not required at all
A child may travel with one parent without any consent from the second parent in the following cases:
- death or recognition of the second parent as missing (death certificate or court ruling);
- deprivation of parental rights by court decision;
- child support arrears exceeding 4 months (certificate from the enforcement service);
- a court ruling determining the child's place of residence with one parent and authorizing temporary travel (up to 1 month for medical treatment, leisure, education);
- a conclusion by the guardianship authority on the possibility of travel without the second parent's consent.
How to obtain a guardianship authority conclusion
An application with a documents package is submitted to the children's service at the place of registration:
- statement of one parent specifying the country, duration, purpose of the trip, and details of the accompanying person;
- copies of the passport and tax ID number of the applicant and the child;
- child's birth certificate;
- documents confirming the absence of the second parent's consent (death certificate, court ruling on deprivation of rights, certificate of child support arrears);
- income, health, and family composition certificates of the applicant;
- a housing inspection report (drawn up by the guardianship authority on site).
The opinion of a child aged 14 or older must be taken into account.
Who may be a guardian
Pursuant to Article 63 of the Civil Code of Ukraine, only an adult natural person (aged 18 and over) with full civil capacity may serve as a guardian. Preference is given to close relatives — grandparents, adult siblings, stepmother or stepfather.
The following persons may NOT be guardians:
- persons with limited or revoked legal capacity;
- persons with unrestored parental rights;
- persons who have not passed the housing inspection by the guardianship authority.
Advice at the checkpoints
Before traveling, we recommend:
- checking current waiting times and live webcams at the nearest checkpoints — Krakovets – Korczowa, Shehyni – Medyka, Yahodyn – Dorohusk, Rava-Ruska – Hrebenne;
- preparing notarized copies of documents proving family ties;
- verifying current rules on the official portal of the State Border Guard Service;
- choosing a checkpoint with a shorter queue — hourly dynamics are available on the Ukraine → Poland statistics page.
Frequently asked questions
Is notarized parental consent required for a child to travel during martial law?
Usually no — if the child is accompanied by one parent or a close relative. Consent is mandatory only for travel with third parties who are not relatives.
Can a 14-year-old child travel alone?
No. Independent travel is allowed only from age 16. Younger children must be accompanied by an adult with the relevant documents.
Which child documents must be carried at the border?
A biometric international passport and a birth certificate. For travel with relatives — additional documents proving the family relationship.
Do border guards accept a laminated birth certificate?
Yes, a laminated certificate is acceptable. However, the border guard may request additional confirmation of family ties.
What to do if there is no consent from the second parent and no grounds for an exception?
File a lawsuit in court for permission to travel, or apply to the guardianship authority for a conclusion. Without one of these documents, travel with a third party will not be possible.
Official sources
- Article 313 of the Civil Code of Ukraine — procedure for children leaving Ukraine.
- Article 63 of the Civil Code of Ukraine — requirements for guardians.
- Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Resolution on border-crossing rules during martial law.
- Clarifications by the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine and the Ministry of Social Policy.
This material does not constitute legal advice. Before traveling, verify the current versions of the legislation on the official government portal and consult a lawyer if necessary.