Recently, searching for archival documents in Ukraine has become a popular service among foreigners. This demand is driven by news about the potential adoption of a dual citizenship law, as well as the desire to trace one’s roots and learn more about family history.
Searching for archival documents in Ukraine is also closely linked to migration issues, as obtaining citizenship or permanent residence in Ukraine is possible based on Ukrainian descent. For example, if your parents, brother or sister, grandfather or grandmother, great-grandfather or great-grandmother came from Ukrainian territory, you have the right to apply for citizenship or a permanent residence permit. This is one of the main reasons we often have to search for birth or residence records dating back to the second half of the 19th or early 20th century.
Institutions Involved in Archival Document Search in Ukraine
Ukraine has an extensive network of archives, categorized by territorial and sectoral affiliation. Each region has its own state archive where records of birth, marriage, divorce, and death that were made more than 75 years ago are kept. Records younger than 75 years are stored in the local civil registry office (РАЦС) archives where they were created.
If you need to find documents related to residence, you can search both regional archives and local administrative archives, which were responsible for the registration of residents.
Military service records are kept in the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine archives.
A separate category includes the cases of individuals repressed during the Soviet era and later rehabilitated – these can be stored in the archives of the Security Service of Ukraine and the National Police.
What is Needed for Searching Archival Documents in Ukraine
To start the search, basic information about the ancestor should be gathered. For example, to find a birth record, you need to provide the surname, first name, exact or approximate birth date, place of birth, and religion. Depending on the type of document being searched for, the basic information may vary. The more input data available for the search, the higher the likelihood of success.
Based on the collected information, we prepare a request to the relevant archive and send it to the client for signature. The request can be signed remotely. The request is then sent to the archive.
Archives typically respond to inquiries within 2-4 weeks. If the required documents are found in the archive’s holdings, we receive an archival certificate and a certified copy of the archival record. If the record is not found, a certificate will also be issued, which may be useful in some cases.
If you want to find a record of birth, marriage, divorce, or death created less than 75 years ago and stored in the DRAЦС department, you must confirm your family connections with the person for whom the search is being conducted.
Conclusion
Searching for information about your ancestors is an important and fascinating way to explore your heritage. Archival document searches in Ukraine play a crucial role in confirming territorial origin, which is necessary for obtaining permanent residency or Ukrainian citizenship.
If you have information about relatives from Ukraine, contact us, and we will be happy to assist you in your search.
