From 2025 to 2026, a mother can travel abroad with her child without the father's consent if the trip occurs during martial law. In other words, the state has simplified travel to protect children and allow for evacuation.
However, there are important nuances that border guards check in practice; we will examine them below.
In what cases is paternal permission not required?
A child can travel abroad without the father’s notarized consent if:
- He is traveling with his mother;
- the trip is temporary (the stay abroad is not formalized as permanent);
- there are documents confirming the family relationship (passport or birth certificate).
This option is available specifically during martial law, and it is one of the regulations that has allowed many families to travel to safe countries without unnecessary formalities.
But this does not mean that permission is never needed.
When might a father's permission be needed?
In practice, border guards pay attention to the circumstances of the trip.
Permission or power of attorney may be required if:
- The child is accompanied by a person other than the mother;
- The trip is planned for a long period;
- The child is studying or living abroad;
- The parents are in conflict or are involved in legal proceedings regarding the child;
- The destination country requires additional documents upon entry.
In such cases, a power of attorney for the child's travel abroad is most often issued. This confirms the consent of the other parent and removes some of the oversight issues.
Also keep this in mind before your trip
It's important to understand that even if Ukrainian border guards don't require permission for a child to travel abroad, this doesn't guarantee it won't be needed when crossing the border of another state or during document checks within the country.
Some countries (notably Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom) have additional requirements for minors traveling, and border authorities often request:
- Confirmation of consent from the other parent;
- Documents regarding the purpose and duration of stay;
- Contact information for the person hosting the child.
Therefore, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the entry regulations of the country you plan to travel to in advance. This will help avoid delays, additional checks, and stressful situations along the way.
It is precisely in such situations that parents most often turn to a notary, especially before long trips, education, or a child's move.
In my practice, I always explain to parents which document format is appropriate in their particular case to avoid risks and misunderstandings when crossing the border.
You can read more about this service in the section "Issuing a Power of Attorney for a Child to Travel Abroad".
Who can accompany a child?
During martial law, a child may be accompanied by:
- mother or father;
- grandmother or grandfather;
- adult brother or sister;
- another adult.
And here an important rule applies: if the child is not accompanied by the mother, in most cases border guards expect a power of attorney for the escort.
This is necessary to confirm responsibility for the child abroad.
What documents are checked at the border?
Usually border guards ask to show:
- The child's passport or birth certificate;
- The accompanying person's passport;
- Documents confirming the relationship;
- Documents explaining the purpose of the trip (education, temporary residence, medical treatment, evacuation, etc.).
They may also specify:
- How long is the child's stay abroad planned to be;
- Where and with whom will the child live;
- Is the other parent's consent available in disputed situations?
This is why it is important that the documents logically explain the circumstances of the trip.
How to obtain permission for a child to travel abroad?
To obtain permission for a child to travel abroad during martial law, one parent must contact a public or private notary. The procedure typically takes up to 30 minutes.
To complete the registration you will need the following documents:
- The passport and Russian National Identification Code (RNOKPP) of the parent granting permission;
- The child's birth certificate or passport (if already issued);
- The accompanying person's passport (if other than the mother or father);
- Documents confirming the purpose of the trip;
- A certificate from a medical facility, if traveling for medical treatment;
- An invitation or certificate from an educational institution, if studying.
06.01.2026
