Ukraine changes consular service rules for men aged 18-60 abroad
Consulate General of Ukraine in Wroclaw (Photo: wroclaw.mfa.gov.ua)
Ukrainian men aged 18 to 60 must present a military registration document along with other required paperwork when applying for consular services abroad, lawyers from the Legal Hundred NGO told NV, explaining new rules introduced under Cabinet Resolution No. 981 of July 29, 2026.
The resolution establishes procedures for maintaining the Unified State Register of Conscripts, Persons Liable for Military Service and Reservists, as well as rules for Ukrainian consular officials abroad to verify military registration documents.
Under the new rules, Ukrainian male citizens aged 18 to 60 must submit an electronic military registration document when applying for consular services.
Those registered for military service with the Security Service of Ukraine, or SBU, or Ukrainian intelligence agencies must instead present a paper military registration document.
Who does not need to present a military registration document?
The requirement does not apply in three cases:
- when a citizen is applying for a certificate of return to Ukraine;
- when consular services concern a child whose other parent is a foreign citizen or stateless person;
- when the applicant is under arrest, detained or imprisoned abroad.
How will military registration documents be checked?
When a person applies in person, the validity of their military registration document will be checked through real-time electronic data exchange between the e-Consul system and the Unified State Register.
The Cabinet resolution requires the Defense and Foreign ministries to establish electronic interaction between the Registry and the Foreign Ministry’s information systems within six months.
Until that technical capability is introduced, as well as during maintenance or technical work and when consular services are provided outside a diplomatic mission, officials will verify documents by scanning the two-dimensional barcode on an electronic military registration document using an authorized electronic device.
When can consular services be denied?
A Ukrainian consular official must refuse to provide a consular service if the Registry shows that the applicant’s military registration document is invalid or that their personal data need to be updated.
A refusal will also be issued if the applicant fails to present a valid electronic military registration document, including a printed version, or if the document does not contain confirmation that the person’s personal information is up to date.
What if a Ukrainian man has no military registration document?
Under Paragraph 12 of the procedure, consular services may eventually be provided to a person without a military registration document after their personal information has been updated.
This can be done by registering the person with a Ukrainian consulate or, if they are already registered, updating the personal information in their consular record.
The information will then be transmitted electronically to the relevant Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Center, SBU body or intelligence agency through the e-Consul system and the Registry.
However, this mechanism does not take effect immediately. Paragraphs 12 and 13 of the procedure enter into force six months after Resolution No. 981 itself takes effect.
Automatic military registration without medical examination
Paragraph 13 introduces another new mechanism.
If a check establishes that a person has no record at all in the Unified State Register, the person will automatically be placed on military registration based on information transmitted to the Defense Ministry.
An electronic military registration document will then be generated automatically.
The individual will not be required to undergo a medical examination by a military medical commission before being placed on the register.
Military registration will be assigned according to the person’s registered or declared place of residence. If no place of residence is registered or declared, the relevant Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Center will be determined by Ukraine’s General Staff.
This automatic-registration mechanism will also take effect six months after the resolution enters into force.
How long will military registration data be stored?
Information about conscripts, persons liable for military service and reservists will remain in the Registry for the entire period during which the individual is subject to military registration.
The data will then be retained for another 75 years after the person is removed from military registration, after which it must be destroyed.
How can Ukrainians check whether they are in the Registry?
Ukrainian citizens can obtain information free of charge about whether they are included in the Registry and review the information recorded about them.
The information can be obtained through the individual’s electronic account, through Ukraine’s Unified State Web Portal of Electronic Services when technically available, or by submitting a written request in person to the relevant Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Center.
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