Section I. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Article 1. Definition of terms
In this Law the following terms are used in the following meaning:
citizenship of Ukraine – legal connection between a natural person and Ukraine, which manifests itself in their mutual rights and obligations;
person – natural person;
citizen of Ukraine – a person who has acquired citizenship of Ukraine in accordance with the procedure established by the laws of Ukraine and international treaties of Ukraine;
foreigner – a person who is not a citizen of Ukraine and is a citizen (subject) of another state or states;
stateless person – a person whom no state, according to its legislation, considers as its citizen;
legal representatives – parents, adoptive parents, foster parents, guardians, custodians, representatives of institutions that perform the duties of guardians and custodians;
child – a person under the age of 18;
registration of citizenship of Ukraine – making an entry about a person acquiring citizenship of Ukraine by a specially authorized body in the relevant accounting documents;
residence on the territory of Ukraine on legal grounds – residence in Ukraine of a foreigner or stateless person who has in their passport of a citizen of the former USSR of the 1974 model a mark of permanent or temporary registration on the territory of Ukraine, or who have registered their national passport on the territory of Ukraine, or have a permanent or temporary residence permit on the territory of Ukraine, or have been granted refugee status or asylum in Ukraine;
continuous residence on the territory of Ukraine – residence in Ukraine of a person if their single trip abroad for private matters did not exceed 90 days, and in total per year – 180 days. The following are not considered violations of the requirement of continuous residence: a person's trip abroad on a business trip, for study, on vacation, for treatment on the recommendation of a relevant medical institution, or a change of residence by a person on the territory of Ukraine;
obligation to terminate foreign citizenship – a written application of a foreigner stating that in case of acquiring Ukrainian citizenship, they will terminate the citizenship of another state and within one year from the moment of acquiring Ukrainian citizenship will submit a document on termination of citizenship of another state to the body that issued them a temporary certificate of a citizen of Ukraine;
reason independent of the person for not obtaining a document on termination of foreign citizenship – non-issuance to a person who has filed a petition for termination of foreign citizenship of a document on termination of citizenship within the time limit established by the legislation of the foreign state (except for cases where the person was refused termination of citizenship), or the absence in the legislation of the foreign state of a procedure for termination of its citizenship at the initiative of the person, or the high cost of processing withdrawal from foreign citizenship, exceeding the minimum wage established in Ukraine;
legal sources of subsistence – wages, income from entrepreneurial activity or property, pension, scholarship, alimony, social payments and assistance, own financial savings or financial assistance from family members, other natural and legal persons who have legal income;
international treaty of Ukraine – an international treaty whose binding consent has been given by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine;
declaration of renunciation of foreign citizenship – a document in which a person certifies their renunciation of citizenship of another state and undertakes not to use the rights of that state and not to fulfill obligations related to belonging to its citizenship;
declaration of absence of foreign citizenship – a document in which a person reports the absence of foreign citizenship with substantiation of the reasons for such absence;
certificate of belonging to citizenship of Ukraine – a document confirming the belonging of a person under the age of 16 to the citizenship of Ukraine indicating the grounds for its acquisition;
temporary certificate of a citizen of Ukraine – a document certifying a person's identity and confirming their belonging to the citizenship of Ukraine.
Article 2. Principles of the legislation of Ukraine on citizenship
The legislation of Ukraine on citizenship is based on the following principles:
1) single citizenship – citizenship of the state of Ukraine, which excludes the possibility of citizenship of administrative-territorial units of Ukraine. If a citizen of Ukraine has acquired citizenship (subjectship) of another state or states, then in legal relations with Ukraine they are recognized only as a citizen of Ukraine. If a foreigner has acquired citizenship of Ukraine, then in legal relations with Ukraine they are recognized only as a citizen of Ukraine;
2) prevention of cases of statelessness;
3) impossibility of depriving a citizen of Ukraine of Ukrainian citizenship;
4) recognition of the right of a citizen of Ukraine to change citizenship;
5) impossibility of automatic acquisition of Ukrainian citizenship by a foreigner or stateless person as a result of marriage to a citizen of Ukraine or acquisition of Ukrainian citizenship by their spouse and automatic termination of Ukrainian citizenship by one of the spouses as a result of termination of marriage or termination of Ukrainian citizenship by the other spouse;
6) equality before the law of citizens of Ukraine regardless of the grounds, procedure and moment of their acquisition of Ukrainian citizenship;
7) preservation of Ukrainian citizenship regardless of the place of residence of a citizen of Ukraine.
Article 3. Belonging to Ukrainian citizenship
The citizens of Ukraine are:
1) all citizens of the former USSR who at the moment of the proclamation of independence of Ukraine (August 24, 1991) permanently resided on the territory of Ukraine;
2) persons, regardless of race, color, political, religious and other beliefs, sex, ethnic and social origin, property status, place of residence, linguistic or other characteristics, who at the time of entry into force of the Law of Ukraine "On Citizenship of Ukraine" (1636-12) (November 13, 1991) resided in Ukraine and were not citizens of other states;
3) persons who arrived in Ukraine for permanent residence after November 13, 1991 and who have been inscribed "citizen of Ukraine" in their passport of a citizen of the former USSR of the 1974 model by the internal affairs bodies of Ukraine, as well as children of such persons who arrived together with their parents in Ukraine, if at the time of arrival in Ukraine they had not reached the age of majority;
4) persons who acquired citizenship of Ukraine in accordance with the laws of Ukraine and international treaties of Ukraine.
Persons referred to in paragraph 1 of part one of this Article are citizens of Ukraine from August 24, 1991, those referred to in paragraph 2, from November 13, 1991, and those in paragraph 3, from the moment of making a mark on citizenship of Ukraine.
Article 4. Legislation on Citizenship of Ukraine
Issues of citizenship of Ukraine are regulated by the Constitution of Ukraine, this Law, and international treaties of Ukraine.
If an international treaty of Ukraine establishes different rules than those contained in this Law, the rules of the international treaty shall apply.
Article 5. Documents Confirming Citizenship of Ukraine
Documents that confirm citizenship of Ukraine are:
1) passport of a citizen of Ukraine;
2) certificate of belonging to citizenship of Ukraine;
3) passport of a citizen of Ukraine for travel abroad;
4) temporary certificate of a citizen of Ukraine;
5) travel document of a child;
6) diplomatic passport;
7) service passport;
8) seaman's identity card;
9) crew member certificate;
10) identity card for return to Ukraine.
Section II. ACQUISITION OF CITIZENSHIP OF UKRAINE
Article 6. Grounds for Acquisition of Citizenship of Ukraine
Citizenship of Ukraine is acquired:
1) by birth;
2) by territorial origin;
3) as a result of admission to citizenship;
4) as a result of restoration of citizenship;
5) as a result of adoption;
6) as a result of establishment of guardianship or curatorship over a child;
7) as a result of establishment of guardianship over a person declared incapable by a court;
8) in connection with one or both parents of the child being citizens of Ukraine;
9) as a result of establishment of paternity;
10) on other grounds provided for by international treaties of Ukraine.
Article 7. Acquisition of Citizenship of Ukraine by Birth
A person whose parents or one of the parents at the time of her birth were citizens of Ukraine is a citizen of Ukraine.
A person born on the territory of Ukraine to stateless persons who legally reside on the territory of Ukraine is a citizen of Ukraine.
A person born outside Ukraine to stateless persons who permanently and legally reside on the territory of Ukraine, and who has not acquired the citizenship of another state by birth, is a citizen of Ukraine.
A person born on the territory of Ukraine to foreigners who permanently and legally reside on the territory of Ukraine, and who has not acquired the citizenship of either parent by birth, is a citizen of Ukraine.
A person born on the territory of Ukraine, one of whose parents has been granted refugee status in Ukraine or asylum in Ukraine, and who has not acquired the citizenship of either parent by birth or has acquired by birth the citizenship of the parent who has been granted refugee status in Ukraine or asylum in Ukraine, is a citizen of Ukraine.
A person born on the territory of Ukraine to a foreigner and a stateless person who permanently and legally reside on the territory of Ukraine, and who has not acquired by birth the citizenship of the parent who is a foreigner, is a citizen of Ukraine.
A newborn child found on the territory of Ukraine, both of whose parents are unknown (foundling), is a citizen of Ukraine.
A person who has the right to acquire citizenship of Ukraine by birth is a citizen of Ukraine from the moment of birth.
Article 8. Acquisition of Citizenship of Ukraine by Territorial Origin
A person who herself or at least one of her parents, grandfather or grandmother, full brother or sister were born or permanently resided before July 16, 1990 on the territory that became the territory of Ukraine in accordance with Article 5 of the Law of Ukraine "On Succession of Ukraine" (1543-12), as well as on other territories that were part of the Ukrainian People's Republic, the Western Ukrainian People's Republic, the Ukrainian State, the Ukrainian Socialist Soviet Republic, Carpatho-Ukraine, the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic (UkrSSR), and is a stateless person or a foreigner who has undertaken to terminate foreign citizenship, and has submitted an application for acquisition of citizenship of Ukraine, as well as her children, are registered as citizens of Ukraine.
A child who was born or permanently resided on the territory of the UkrSSR (or at least one of her parents, grandfather or grandmother were born or permanently resided on the territories specified in part one of this Article) and is a stateless person, is registered as a citizen of Ukraine upon application of one of the parents or guardian or curator.
A child who was born on the territory of Ukraine to parents who are foreigners, and who acquired by birth the citizenship of another state or states, which has been terminated, is registered as a citizen of Ukraine upon a petition of one of the parents or guardian or curator.
The persons specified in part one of this Article, who are citizens of states with which an international treaty of Ukraine allows a person to apply for acquiring Ukrainian citizenship on condition that they prove that they are not a citizen of that state, may submit applications for acquiring Ukrainian citizenship only after termination of foreign citizenship.
The persons specified in part one of this Article who are foreigners must terminate foreign citizenship and submit a document about this, issued by the authorized body of the relevant state, to the body that carried out the registration, within one year from the moment of registration as a citizen of Ukraine. If the persons, having all the grounds provided by the legislation of that state for obtaining such a document, cannot obtain it for reasons beyond their control, or they have been granted refugee status in Ukraine or asylum in Ukraine, they submit a declaration of renunciation of foreign citizenship.
The obligation to terminate foreign citizenship is not required from foreigners who are citizens of states whose legislation provides for automatic termination of citizenship of those states simultaneously with the acquisition of citizenship of another state, or with which international treaties of Ukraine provide for termination of citizenship of those states simultaneously with the acquisition of Ukrainian citizenship.
The date of acquisition of Ukrainian citizenship in the cases provided for in this Article is the date of registration of the person's acquisition of Ukrainian citizenship.
A person who has acquired Ukrainian citizenship and submitted a declaration of renunciation of foreign citizenship undertakes to return the passport of the foreign state to the authorized bodies of that state.
Article 9. Admission to Ukrainian Citizenship
A foreigner or a stateless person may, upon their application, be admitted to Ukrainian citizenship.
The conditions for admission to Ukrainian citizenship are:
1) recognition and observance of the Constitution of Ukraine and the laws of Ukraine;
2) an obligation to terminate foreign citizenship or not being in foreign citizenship (for persons who were citizens of states with which international treaties of Ukraine allow persons to apply for acquiring Ukrainian citizenship on condition that they prove that they are not citizens of the other contracting party).
Persons who are foreigners must undertake to terminate foreign citizenship and submit a document about this, issued by the authorized bodies of the relevant state, to the body that accepted the documents for their admission to Ukrainian citizenship, within one year from the moment of their admission to Ukrainian citizenship.
If a person, having all the grounds provided by the legislation of that state for obtaining such a document, cannot obtain it for reasons beyond their control, or they have been granted refugee status in Ukraine or asylum in Ukraine, they submit a declaration of renunciation of foreign citizenship. This rule does not apply to persons who are citizens of states with which international treaties of Ukraine allow persons to apply for acquiring Ukrainian citizenship on condition that they prove that they are not citizens of the other contracting party.
The obligation to terminate foreign citizenship is not required from foreigners who are citizens of states whose legislation provides for automatic termination of citizenship of those states simultaneously with the acquisition of citizenship of another state, or with which international treaties of Ukraine provide for termination of citizenship of those states simultaneously with the acquisition of Ukrainian citizenship, as well as persons who have been granted refugee status in Ukraine or asylum in Ukraine, and stateless persons;
3) continuous residence on legal grounds on the territory of Ukraine during the last five years.
This condition does not apply to a person who has been married to a citizen of Ukraine for more than two years and permanently resides in Ukraine on legal grounds, and to a person who permanently resides in Ukraine on legal grounds and has been married to a citizen of Ukraine for more than two years, which marriage terminated due to the death of the citizen.
For persons who have been granted refugee status in Ukraine or asylum in Ukraine, the term of continuous residence on legal grounds on the territory of Ukraine is set at three years from the moment of granting them refugee status in Ukraine or asylum in Ukraine, and for persons who entered Ukraine as stateless persons, – three years from the moment of obtaining a residence permit in Ukraine;
4) obtaining a permanent residence permit in Ukraine.
This condition does not apply to persons who have in the passport of a citizen of the former USSR of the 1974 model a mark of permanent or temporary registration on the territory of Ukraine, as well as to persons who have been granted refugee status in Ukraine or asylum in Ukraine;
5) proficiency in the state language or understanding it to an extent sufficient for communication. This condition does not apply to persons who have certain physical disabilities (blind, deaf, mute);
6) having lawful sources of livelihood. This condition does not apply to persons who have been granted refugee status in Ukraine or asylum in Ukraine.
The provisions set forth in items 3-6 of the second part of this Article shall not apply to persons who have outstanding merits to Ukraine, and to persons whose admission to Ukrainian citizenship is of state interest to Ukraine.
Admission to Ukrainian citizenship of children residing in Ukraine, one of whose parents or guardian or custodian has a permanent residence permit in Ukraine, shall be carried out without taking into account the conditions stipulated in items 1, 3-6 of the second part of this Article.
A person shall not be admitted to Ukrainian citizenship who:
1) has committed a crime against humanity or has committed genocide;
2) has been sentenced in Ukraine to imprisonment for committing a grave crime (until the expiration or removal of the criminal record);
3) has committed on the territory of another state an act which is recognized under the legislation of Ukraine as a grave crime.
A person who has acquired Ukrainian citizenship and submitted a declaration of renunciation of foreign citizenship undertakes to return the passport of the foreign state to the authorized bodies of that state.
The date of acquisition of Ukrainian citizenship in the cases provided for by this Article is the date of issuance of the relevant Decree of the President of Ukraine.
Article 10. Renewal of Ukrainian citizenship
A person who, after termination of Ukrainian citizenship, has not acquired foreign citizenship and has submitted an application for renewal of Ukrainian citizenship shall be registered as a citizen of Ukraine regardless of whether he or she permanently resides in Ukraine or abroad, in the absence of circumstances provided for in part five of Article 9 of this Law.
A person who, after termination of Ukrainian citizenship, has acquired foreign citizenship, returned to Ukraine for permanent residence, submitted an application for renewal of Ukrainian citizenship, in the absence of grounds provided for in part five of Article 9 of this Law, shall be registered as a citizen of Ukraine. The person undertakes to terminate foreign citizenship and submit a document to that effect, issued by the authorized body of the relevant state, to the body that accepted the documents for renewal of his/her Ukrainian citizenship, within one year from the moment of renewal of his/her Ukrainian citizenship. If a person, having all the grounds provided for by the legislation of that state for obtaining such a document, cannot obtain it for reasons beyond his/her control, or has been granted refugee status in Ukraine or asylum in Ukraine, he/she shall submit a declaration of renunciation of foreign citizenship.
A person referred to in part two of this Article who is a citizen of a state with which Ukraine has an international treaty allowing a person to apply for acquisition of Ukrainian citizenship, provided that he/she proves that he/she is not a citizen of the other contracting party, may submit an application for renewal of Ukrainian citizenship only after termination of foreign citizenship.
The obligation to terminate foreign citizenship shall not be required from citizens of states whose legislation provides for automatic termination of citizenship of those states simultaneously with the acquisition of citizenship of another state, or with which Ukraine has international treaties providing for termination of citizenship of those states simultaneously with the acquisition of Ukrainian citizenship, as well as from persons who have been granted refugee status in Ukraine or asylum in Ukraine, and stateless persons.
Persons who have lost Ukrainian citizenship on the basis of paragraph 4 of part one of Article 19 of this Law shall not be renewed in Ukrainian citizenship.
The date of acquisition of Ukrainian citizenship in the cases provided for by this Article is the date of registration of the person's acquisition of Ukrainian citizenship.
A person who has acquired Ukrainian citizenship and submitted a declaration of renunciation of foreign citizenship undertakes to return the passport of the foreign state to the authorized bodies of that state.
Article 11. Acquisition of Ukrainian citizenship by children through adoption
A child who is a foreigner or a stateless person and is adopted by citizens of Ukraine or spouses, one of whom is a citizen of Ukraine and the other is a stateless person, shall become a citizen of Ukraine from the moment the adoption decision enters into force, regardless of whether he/she permanently resides in Ukraine or abroad.
A child who is a stateless person or a foreigner and is adopted by spouses, one of whom is a citizen of Ukraine and the other is a foreigner, shall become a citizen of Ukraine from the moment the adoption decision enters into force, regardless of whether he/she permanently resides in Ukraine or abroad.
Article 12. Acquisition of Ukrainian citizenship as a result of establishing guardianship or custody over a child
A child who is a foreigner or a stateless person and over whom guardianship or custody is established by citizens of Ukraine or persons, one of whom is a citizen of Ukraine and the other is a stateless person, shall become a citizen of Ukraine from the moment the decision on establishing guardianship or custody is made.
A child who resides on the territory of Ukraine and is a stateless person or a foreigner and over whom guardianship or custody is established by persons, one of whom is a citizen of Ukraine and the other is a foreigner, shall become a citizen of Ukraine from the moment the decision on establishing guardianship or custody is made, if he/she does not acquire the citizenship of the guardian or custodian who is a foreigner in connection with the establishment of guardianship or custody.
A child who is a foreigner or a stateless person and is brought up in a state children's institution of Ukraine that performs the duties of a guardian or custodian in relation to him/her, or in a family-type children's home, if at least one of the foster parents is a citizen of Ukraine, shall become a citizen of Ukraine from the moment of placement in such institution, provided that his/her parents have died, been deprived of parental rights, been declared missing or incapacitated, or been declared deceased.
Article 13. Acquisition of Ukrainian citizenship by a person declared incapacitated by a court as a result of establishing guardianship over him/her by a citizen of Ukraine
A foreigner or a stateless person who resides in Ukraine on legal grounds, declared incapacitated by a court, over whom guardianship is established by a citizen of Ukraine, shall acquire Ukrainian citizenship from the moment the decision on establishing guardianship enters into force.
Article 14. Acquisition of Ukrainian citizenship by a child due to the Ukrainian citizenship of his/her parents or one of them
A child who is a foreigner or a stateless person, one of whose parents is a citizen of Ukraine and the other is a stateless person, shall be registered as a citizen of Ukraine upon the petition of the parent who is a citizen of Ukraine.
A child who is a stateless person, one of whose parents is a citizen of Ukraine and the other is a foreigner, shall be registered as a citizen of Ukraine upon the petition of the parent who is a citizen of Ukraine.
A child who is a foreigner or stateless person, whose parents are citizens of Ukraine, is registered as a citizen of Ukraine upon the application of one of the parents.
The date of acquisition of Ukrainian citizenship in the cases provided for by this article is the date of registration of the acquisition of Ukrainian citizenship by the person.
Article 15. Acquisition of Ukrainian citizenship by a child due to establishment of paternity
In the event of establishment of paternity of a child whose mother is a foreigner or stateless person and the father is recognized as a citizen of Ukraine, the child, regardless of place of birth and place of permanent residence, becomes a citizen of Ukraine.
The date of acquisition of Ukrainian citizenship in the case provided for by this article is the date of birth of the child or the date of acquisition of Ukrainian citizenship by the father, if he acquired it after the child's birth.
Article 16. Necessity of consent of children during acquisition of Ukrainian citizenship
Acquisition of Ukrainian citizenship by children aged 15 to 18 may occur only with their consent.
Section III. TERMINATION OF UKRAINIAN CITIZENSHIP AND CANCELLATION OF DECISIONS ON ACQUISITION OF UKRAINIAN CITIZENSHIP
Article 17. Grounds for termination of Ukrainian citizenship
Ukrainian citizenship is terminated:
1) as a result of renunciation of Ukrainian citizenship;
2) as a result of loss of Ukrainian citizenship;
3) on grounds provided for by international treaties of Ukraine.
Article 18. Renunciation of Ukrainian citizenship
A citizen of Ukraine who has left for permanent residence abroad may renounce Ukrainian citizenship upon his/her application. If a child has left together with parents for permanent residence abroad and the parents renounce Ukrainian citizenship, upon the application of one of the parents the child may also renounce Ukrainian citizenship together with the parents.
If one of the parents has left together with the child for permanent residence abroad and renounces Ukrainian citizenship, while the other remains a citizen of Ukraine, the child may renounce Ukrainian citizenship together with that parent who renounces Ukrainian citizenship, upon his/her application.
If one of the parents has left together with the child for permanent residence abroad and renounces Ukrainian citizenship, while the other is a foreigner or stateless person, the child may renounce Ukrainian citizenship together with that parent who renounces Ukrainian citizenship, upon his/her application.
If a child has left for permanent residence abroad and his/her parents have renounced Ukrainian citizenship, the child may renounce Ukrainian citizenship upon the application of one of the parents.
If a child has left for permanent residence abroad with one of the parents and that parent has renounced Ukrainian citizenship, while the other is a citizen of Ukraine, the child may renounce Ukrainian citizenship upon the application of that parent who has renounced Ukrainian citizenship.
If a child has left for permanent residence abroad with one of the parents and that parent has renounced Ukrainian citizenship, while the other is a foreigner or stateless person, the child may renounce Ukrainian citizenship upon the application of that parent who has renounced Ukrainian citizenship.
A child who acquired Ukrainian citizenship by birth may renounce Ukrainian citizenship upon the application of one of the parents regardless of the child's place of residence.
A child adopted by a married couple, one of whom is a citizen of Ukraine and the other is a foreigner, may renounce Ukrainian citizenship upon the application of the adoptive parent who is a foreigner.
A child adopted by foreigners or stateless persons may renounce Ukrainian citizenship upon the application of one of the adoptive parents.
Renunciation of Ukrainian citizenship is permitted if the person has acquired citizenship of another state or has received a document issued by authorized bodies of another state certifying that the citizen of Ukraine will acquire its citizenship if he/she renounces Ukrainian citizenship.
Renunciation of Ukrainian citizenship by children aged 15 to 18 may occur only with their consent.
Renunciation of Ukrainian citizenship is not permitted if the person applying for renunciation of Ukrainian citizenship has been charged as an accused in a criminal case in Ukraine or there is a conviction of a court that has entered into force and is subject to execution against such person in Ukraine.
The date of termination of Ukrainian citizenship in the cases provided for by this article is the date of issuance of the relevant Decree of the President of Ukraine.
Article 19. Loss of Ukrainian citizenship
Ukrainian citizenship is lost:
1) if a citizen of Ukraine, after reaching the age of majority, voluntarily acquired citizenship of another state.
Voluntary acquisition of citizenship of another state is considered all cases when a citizen of Ukraine, by his/her free will expressed in the form of a written application, acquired citizenship of another state or if he/she voluntarily received a document confirming the existence of acquisition of foreign citizenship, except for cases where:
a) children at birth simultaneously with Ukrainian citizenship also acquire citizenship of another state;
b) children who are citizens of Ukraine and are adopted by a foreigner acquire the citizenship of the adoptive parent;
c) a citizen of Ukraine automatically acquired citizenship of another state as a result of marriage to a foreigner;
d) according to the legislation of another state, its citizenship is granted to a citizen of Ukraine automatically without his/her voluntary expression of will and he/she has not voluntarily received a document confirming the existence of citizenship of another state;
2) if a foreigner has acquired Ukrainian citizenship and has not submitted, in the procedure prescribed by part five of Article 8, paragraph 2 of part two of Article 9 and part two of Article 10 of this Law, a document on termination of foreign citizenship or a declaration of renunciation thereof;
3) if a foreigner has acquired Ukrainian citizenship and has exercised the rights or performed the duties that foreign citizenship grants or imposes on him/her;
4) if a person acquired citizenship of Ukraine under Article 9 of this Law as a result of submitting knowingly false information or forged documents;
5) if a citizen of Ukraine, without the consent of state bodies of Ukraine, voluntarily entered military service, or work in the security service, law enforcement agencies, judicial bodies, or state authorities or local self-government bodies of another state.
The provisions of paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 5 of the first part of this article shall not apply if as a result the citizen of Ukraine becomes a stateless person.
Article 20. Legal personality of a citizen of Ukraine who has filed an application for renunciation of citizenship of Ukraine or in respect of whom loss of citizenship is being processed
A citizen of Ukraine who has filed an application for renunciation of citizenship of Ukraine or in respect of whom loss of citizenship is being processed, until the decision on termination of citizenship of Ukraine enters into force, enjoys all rights and bears all obligations of a citizen of Ukraine.
Article 21. Cancellation of decisions on the registration of acquisition of citizenship of Ukraine
A decision on the registration of acquisition of citizenship of Ukraine shall be canceled if a person acquired citizenship of Ukraine in accordance with Articles 8 and 10 of this Law by deception, as a result of submitting knowingly false information or forged documents, or concealment of any material fact, in the presence of which the person cannot acquire citizenship of Ukraine.
Section IV. POWERS OF STATE BODIES INVOLVED IN ADDRESSING CITIZENSHIP ISSUES
Article 22. Powers of the President of Ukraine
The President of Ukraine:
1) makes decisions and issues decrees in accordance with the Constitution of Ukraine and this Law on admission to citizenship of Ukraine and on termination of citizenship of Ukraine;
2) determines the procedure for processing applications and submissions on citizenship issues and execution of decisions made;
3) approves the Regulation on the Commission on Citizenship under the President of Ukraine.
Article 23. Powers of the Commission on Citizenship under the President of Ukraine
The Commission on Citizenship under the President of Ukraine:
1) reviews applications for admission to citizenship of Ukraine, renunciation of citizenship of Ukraine, and submissions on loss of citizenship of Ukraine, and submits proposals to the President of Ukraine regarding the satisfaction of these applications and submissions;
2) returns documents on admission to citizenship of Ukraine or renunciation of citizenship of Ukraine to the authorized central executive body on citizenship or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine for their processing in accordance with the requirements of the current legislation of Ukraine.
3) monitors the implementation of decisions made by the President of Ukraine on citizenship issues.
Article 24. Powers of the specially authorized central executive body on citizenship and its subordinate bodies
The specially authorized central executive body on citizenship and its subordinate bodies exercise the following powers:
1) accept applications together with necessary documents regarding admission to citizenship of Ukraine and renunciation of citizenship of Ukraine, verify the correctness of their processing, the absence of grounds under which a person is not admitted to citizenship of Ukraine, as well as grounds under which renunciation of citizenship of Ukraine is not allowed, and together with their conclusion send them for consideration to the Commission on Citizenship under the President of Ukraine;
2) prepare submissions on loss of citizenship of Ukraine by persons and together with necessary documents send them for consideration to the Commission on Citizenship under the President of Ukraine;
3) make decisions on the registration of acquisition of citizenship of Ukraine by persons on the grounds provided for in paragraphs 1, 2, 4-10 of Article 6 of this Law;
4) cancel decisions made by them on the registration of acquisition of citizenship of Ukraine in cases provided for in Article 21 of this Law;
5) implement decisions of the President of Ukraine on citizenship issues;
6) issue to persons who have acquired citizenship of Ukraine: passports of a citizen of Ukraine, certificates of belonging to citizenship of Ukraine (for persons under 16 years of age), temporary certificates of a citizen of Ukraine, travel documents of a child, certificates of termination of citizenship of Ukraine;
7) confiscate from persons whose citizenship of Ukraine has been terminated: passports of a citizen of Ukraine, certificates of belonging to citizenship of Ukraine, temporary certificates of a citizen of Ukraine, passports of a citizen of Ukraine for travel abroad, travel documents of a child;
8) keep records of persons who have acquired citizenship of Ukraine and terminated citizenship of Ukraine.
The specially authorized central executive body on citizenship informs the Commission on Citizenship under the President of Ukraine semiannually about the implementation of decisions of the President of Ukraine on citizenship issues.
The specially authorized central executive body on citizenship and its subordinate bodies exercise the powers provided for in the first part of this article with respect to persons residing on the territory of Ukraine.
Article 25. Powers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, diplomatic missions and consular posts of Ukraine
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, diplomatic missions and consular posts of Ukraine exercise the powers provided for in Article 24 of this Law with respect to persons permanently residing abroad.
Section V. APPEAL OF DECISIONS ON CITIZENSHIP ISSUES, ACTIONS OR INACTION OF STATE AUTHORITIES, OFFICIALS AND OFFICERS
Article 26. Appeal of decisions on citizenship issues
Decisions on citizenship issues made by the specially authorized central executive body on citizenship, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, and their bodies may be appealed in a court of law in accordance with the procedure established by law.
Article 27. Appeal against Actions and Inaction of Officials and Employees Violating the Procedure for Consideration of Citizenship Cases
Actions and inaction of officials and employees that violate the procedure and deadlines for consideration of citizenship cases and execution of decisions on citizenship matters may be appealed in court and through administrative procedure.
Article 28. Procedure for Appeal of Decisions on Citizenship Matters, Actions and Inaction of Officials and Employees by Persons Permanently Residing Abroad
Persons permanently residing abroad appeal unlawful actions or inaction of officials of diplomatic missions or consular establishments of Ukraine in accordance with the procedure established by law to the court.
Article 29. Liability of Officials and Employees for Violation of Legislation on Citizenship
Officials and employees who have violated this Law shall be held liable in accordance with the procedure provided for by the laws of Ukraine.
Section VI. FINAL PROVISIONS
1. This Law shall enter into force on the day of its publication.
2. Upon the entry into force of this Law, the following shall cease to be in force:
Law of Ukraine 'On Citizenship of Ukraine' (Official Bulletin of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, 1991, No. 50, Art. 701; 1993, No. 14, Art. 121; 1994, No. 33, Art. 299, No. 43, Art. 390; 1997, No. 23, Art. 169; 2000, No. 25, Art. 198);
Resolution of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine 'On the Procedure for Bringing into Force the Law of Ukraine 'On Citizenship of Ukraine'' (Official Bulletin of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, 1991, No. 50, Art. 702); Resolution of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine 'On the Procedure for Application of Article 5 of the Law of Ukraine 'On Citizenship of Ukraine' Regarding Military Servicemen' (Official Bulletin of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, 1994, No. 51, Art. 450).
3. The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine shall, within three months from the day of publication of this Law:
prepare and submit to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine proposals for bringing legislative acts of Ukraine into compliance with this Law;
ensure that central executive bodies of Ukraine bring their regulatory acts into compliance with this Law.
4. Recommend to the President of Ukraine to bring his acts into compliance with this Law.
President of Ukraine L. KUCHMA
Kyiv, January 18, 2001
No. 2235-III