The Central-Southern Interregional Department of the State Migration Service (DMS) reminded that when changing a first name or surname citizens of Ukraine must exchange their passport documents in good time.
Document exchange must be carried out within one month from the date of receipt of the relevant certificate.
Where to apply to obtain the certificate and exchange documents
The first step — apply to the Department for the Registration of Civil Status Acts (ДРАЦС) at your place of residence. The ДРАЦС reviews the application and issues a certificate of name or surname change — this is the basis for exchanging the passport of a citizen of Ukraine and the passport for travelling abroad.
After receiving the certificate you must apply to a unit of the State Migration Service (DMS) to obtain new documents. If desired, citizens can in one visit simultaneously obtain a new ID card and the passport of a citizen of Ukraine for travelling abroad by using the simultaneous document-issuance service.
Deadlines for exchange and required documents
The general deadline for exchange is within one month from the date of receipt of the certificate. In the case of a surname change after marriage, within 30 calendar days you must contact a DMS unit, having with you the passport to be exchanged and the marriage certificate.
Biometric documents are issued in the standard procedure — up to 20 working days, or in the expedited procedure — up to 7 working days. Required for the exchange are the certificate and the current passport that is to be replaced.
What citizens abroad should do
The consulate advises not to use documents issued in the previous surname, not to open accounts with them and not to cross borders with them, because this provides incorrect personal data. If the surname was changed abroad, the consulate explains the procedure for replacing documents.
First you need to change the internal passport of the citizen of Ukraine to reflect the new surname, and only then apply for the passport for travelling abroad in the new surname.
