Men with three or more minor children are not subject to general mobilization and can leave Ukraine. Find out more about the conditions for crossing the border for men with many children in 2024 and what documents are required for a man to be released from Ukraine

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According to Article 23(1)(4) of the Law of Ukraine "On Military Mobilization Training and Mobilization," men with three or more dependent children under the age of 18 are not subject to military service during mobilization. Accordingly, a father with many children cannot be taken to the front, and he has the right to leave Ukraine freely.

Do I have to have children from one marriage?

According to the current legislation, a man with three or more children from different marriages is not an exception. Thus, relying on paragraph 26 of the "Rules for Crossing the Border", such a man can leave Ukraine. But at the same time, the key factor is not paternity, but rather the maintenance of minor children.

How to confirm the fact of child support?

In order to cross the border freely, a man must provide documents confirming the fact that he has three or more children under the age of 18. Depending on the specific circumstances, the package of documents may vary. For example, it may include birth certificates of children (if they are born in a valid marriage), and relevant court decisions if the father is divorced from the child's mother, etc.

What documents are required for a man with many children to leave Ukraine?

▶ Birth certificates of all minor dependent children;

▶ marriage/divorce certificate and court decision on divorce;

▶ a decision of the guardianship authority or a certificate of the father of a large family;

▶ documents confirming the fact of maintenance of minor children;

▶ certificate from the TCC (an extract from the TCC protocol on the decision to postpone the marriage);

▶ military registration documents with a record of the deferment.

It is also advisable to have notarized copies of all these documents.

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Where to go if you are not allowed to go abroad?

If a man with many children has the required package of documents, but representatives of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine refused to allow him to cross the border, he has the right to appeal the refusal of the border guards. There are two ways to do so:

1. To file a complaint with the main body of the State Border Guard Service that issued the decision to refuse to cross the border (within 30 days after the refusal - free of charge, after a month - with payment of a fee for consideration of the case). 

2. File a lawsuit with the district administrative court to recognize the actions of the Border Guard Service as unlawful regarding the refusal to cross the border (can be filed within 6 months from the date of refusal).

How to file a complaint with the main body of the State Border Guard Service?

The complaint shall be submitted in writing, indicating:

- contact information;

- the checkpoint at which the border crossing was denied;

- the grounds on which the refusal was based.

The application must be accompanied by documents confirming the right to leave Ukraine.

How do I file a lawsuit in court in case of refusal to cross the border?

A lawsuit is filed under Art. 160 of the Code of Administrative Procedure of Ukraine to the administrative court at the place of residence of the plaintiff or defendant. The complaint must be accompanied by

- documents confirming the right to leave during martial law;

- a copy of the refusal to grant permission to cross the border;

- a receipt of payment of the court fee.

In order to appeal the refusal to cross the border, you may need legal support. After all, it is very important that all documents and procedural acts are properly executed.

If you need assistance in collecting the necessary package of documents, explaining the rules for crossing the border during martial law, or full legal support on any issues related to leaving Ukraine, please contact the qualified lawyers of Visit Ukraine. You can order a consultation by following the link.

We remind you! The rules for crossing the border for men have not changed, but border checkpoints have begun to require additional confirmation from those who have the right to leave. Read our previous article to find out which categories of men can freely leave Ukraine and what documents they need to have.

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