The birth of a child abroad is a joyful event that requires proper document processing both in the country of birth and in the parents’ country of citizenship.
If at least one of the child’s parents is a citizen of Ukraine, the newborn is automatically considered a citizen of Ukraine.
How to obtain a Ukrainian birth certificate for a child born in Canada
Step 1: Obtaining a Canadian birth certificate
After the birth of a child in Canada, parents must register the child with the local Vital Statistics office of the province where the birth took place. After registration, a Canadian birth certificate is issued.
Example for Ontario:
Ordering the birth certificate:
Online application on the website
It is also possible to order SIN at the same time.
- Birth Certificate with Parental Information – $25
- Birth Certificate – $25
- Certified Copy of Birth Registration – $35
Total cost approximately $85
Processing time: 1 week
It is not necessary to make all copies. But the full yellow certificate is required for Ukrainian documents. If all documents are done simultaneously, the blue certificate with parents’ information can be shown during the processing of the Canadian passport.
Step 2: Legalization of the Canadian birth certificate for use in Ukraine
The Canadian birth certificate must be legalized for recognition in Ukraine. This includes:
- Apostille or consular legalization: Depending on the requirements of Ukrainian law, the certificate must be apostilled or legalized through the Ukrainian consulate.
- Translation into Ukrainian: The document must be translated into Ukrainian and certified according to Ukrainian legal requirements through a notary.
Step 3: Registration of birth at the Consulate of Ukraine
After legalization of the Canadian certificate, parents must contact the Ukrainian consulate in Canada to register the child’s birth and obtain a Ukrainian birth certificate.
Required documents:
- Application of the established form: To be submitted no later than one month from the child’s birth.
- Parents’ passport documents: Originals and copies.
- Original and copy of the Canadian birth certificate: With legalization and translation.
- Marriage certificate or corresponding statement: To include the father’s information in the child’s record.
If the application for birth registration is submitted after one year from the child’s birth and before the child turns 16, the registration is carried out at the consulate based on general grounds as primary, but after the serial number, the note “Registration after deadline” is indicated.
In such cases, additionally submitted:
- Medical institution document about the child’s birth,
- Medical certificate of the child’s health status at the time of registration,
- Documents confirming the child’s origin, namely: marriage certificate of the parents, divorce certificate, death certificate of one or both parents, or relevant court decision.
Example for Ontario, Toronto:
Ukrainian documents:
- Authentication of the birth certificate (extended full yellow form)
222 Jarvis Street, 1st floor
Cost $32
Processing time 10-20 minutes - Translation into Ukrainian (Full Canadian yellow birth certificate + Authentication)
[email protected]
2230 Bloor Street West
Vladimir Jakovcev
416 993 8452
Cost $70
Processing time 1 day - Legalization of the birth certificate and obtaining a certificate of acquisition of Ukrainian citizenship
- Two applications, full certificate + authentication + translation + payment receipt
Consulate General of Ukraine in Toronto
2275 Lake Shore Blvd W #301, Etobicoke, ON M8V 3Y3, Canada
Document submission only on Fridays from 12:00-13:30 (possibly from 13:00-13:30)
Cost $67 + bank commission $10
Estimated processing time: 1 month
Check for errors
- Two applications, full certificate + authentication + translation + payment receipt
- Optionally, you can add the child’s photo to the mother’s passport
10-15 minutes
Required: Application + 2 photos
It is also possible to process a foreign passport for the child, but this takes a long time — from 3 months.
How to confirm Ukrainian citizenship of the child
According to Ukrainian legislation, a child, one of whose parents is a citizen of Ukraine at the time of birth, automatically acquires Ukrainian citizenship regardless of the place of birth.
Step 1: Registration of the child as a citizen of Ukraine by birth
For registration of the child as a citizen of Ukraine by birth, the following documents are required:
- Child’s birth certificate with Apostille (information on Apostille for documents issued in Canada: https://www.international.gc.ca/gac-amc/about-a_propos/services/authentication-authentification/apostille-convention.aspx?lang=eng)
- Translation of the child’s birth certificate into Ukrainian, certified with Apostille (same link as above)
A translation made in Ukraine and certified by a Ukrainian notary is accepted without Apostille. - Passport of one of the parents who is a citizen of Ukraine.
If the surname or first name of the parents (who submits the application) indicated on the child’s birth certificate differs from those in Ukrainian passports, an additional document confirming these changes must be submitted (foreign documents issued outside Ukraine must be certified with Apostille and translated into Ukrainian. Translator’s signature must also be certified with Apostille. If the translation is made in Ukraine, the translator’s signature is certified by a Ukrainian notary). - Completed application for registration of the child as a citizen of Ukraine.
If all documents are correctly prepared, the consulate accepts them for processing. The result is a certificate confirming the child’s registration as a citizen of Ukraine (within 30 calendar days). These documents serve as grounds for processing a child’s passport for travel abroad, an identity document for return to Ukraine, or adding the child’s data to one of the parent’s foreign passports.
Registration of the child as a citizen of Ukraine by birth is done by prior appointment through an electronic queue.
Step 2: Obtaining a foreign passport for the child
After receiving the citizenship certificate, parents can process a foreign passport for the child by submitting the following to the consulate:
- Ukrainian birth certificate: Original and copy.
- Citizenship registration certificate: Original and copy.
- Parents’ passport documents: Originals and copies.
- Application form from one of the parents: Completed and signed.
- Child’s photograph: Size 10×15 cm, white background.
- Payment receipt for the consular fee: Original and copy.
The passport is processed within the timeframe set by legislation and is issued within up to three months from the date of the relevant decision.
Processing Ukrainian childbirth financial assistance
The Government of Ukraine adopted a resolution allowing submission of documents for childbirth assistance during temporary stay abroad.
Approximately 41,280 UAH — one-time 10,320 UAH and the remaining amount is paid over the next 36 months in equal parts of 860 UAH per month.
The “Baby Package” (approximately 6,000 UAH) is available from abroad.
Deadline: Documents must be submitted before the child turns 1 year old.
Procedure:
- Send copies of documents by mail from another country to the Social Protection Department of Ukraine at the place of residence (registration) — specifically to the department’s address.
Documents required:
- Birth certificate + authentication + translation + citizenship certificate
- Parents’ documents: Passport, registration, tax code
- Certificate from PrivatBank with card details (Baby Package can only be processed through PrivatBank; financial assistance for up to 3 years can be through any bank)
- Application for assistance: https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/z0145-23#Text
- Application for Baby Package: https://dszn.smr.gov.ua/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Zayava-pakunok-malyuka.pdf
In the envelope include:
- First set of copies for financial assistance
- Second set for Baby Package processing
- Note with contact information in case of questions: phone + email (possibly Ukrainian contact number of acquaintances in case of questions so they can be called)
Copies of documents must be notarized or certified at the embassy:
Copies with blue stamp:
- Birth certificate
- Authentication
- Translation
- Citizenship certificate
Manually certify parents’ documents — write “true copy” on each:
- Ukrainian passport
- Registration (if ID card)
- Tax code
Preferably both parents’ documents, but possibly only the mother’s — better to clarify (I provided both for assistance, Baby Package only my documents).
How to obtain Canadian citizenship for a child born in Canada
Canada grants citizenship to all children born on its territory, regardless of the parents’ citizenship.
To obtain Canadian citizenship for a child:
- Register the child’s birth with the local Vital Statistics office, after which a Canadian birth certificate is issued.
- Apply for a Canadian passport for the child: This can be done through Service Canada by providing the required documents, including the Canadian birth certificate and the child’s photographs.
Thus, a child born in Canada automatically becomes a Canadian citizen and has the right to obtain a Canadian passport.
