Ukraine’s “Diia” app has launched a new state service — online dissolution of marriage. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing the service’s official Telegram page. The feature allows spouses to complete a divorce entirely in digital form, without the need to personally visit DRACS offices or submit paper documents. The service is available to couples without minor children in common and requires the consent of both parties.
How the online divorce procedure works
According to the published information, it is impossible to file for divorce without the consent of both spouses — this is the key condition of the new service. After the application is filed, the marriage will be officially dissolved after one month. During this period, either spouse has the right to change their mind and withdraw their application. To do so, this must be done no later than four hours before the video conference, which is the final stage of the procedure. Thus, the system incorporates a “cooling-off” mechanism that reduces the risk of impulsive decisions.
What has changed compared to the previous practice
Previously, to dissolve a marriage, spouses had to visit a DRACS office at least twice and submit paper documents. Now the entire process is carried out online: from filing the application to the final video conference. This significantly reduces the time and effort citizens spend on bureaucratic procedures. For those who do not use the “Diia” app, the option to file an application in person at a DRACS office remains available — the digital channel is not the only one and does not cancel the traditional procedure.
Limitations: minor children and judicial proceedings
An important limitation of the new service is the presence of minor children in common. In such cases, the dissolution of marriage is still carried out through a court, since the law requires the protection of children’s interests when parents divorce. The online procedure in “Diia” applies exclusively to couples who have no minor children. This is consistent with the current legislation of Ukraine on marriage and family.
Cybersecurity and protection of personal data
Vitaliy Balashov, Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation for Cybersecurity and Cloud Technologies, explained that the “Diia” app does not store a single database of personal data, but operates on a zero-retention principle: information is requested anew each time from state registers. Data exchange is carried out through the protected “Trembita” gateway, which unites almost 200 registers and handles more than 32 million requests daily. According to Balashov, rumors about so-called “Diia database leaks” are in most cases fakes or outdated commercial data unrelated to the current architecture of the system.
The context of digitalization of state services
The launch of online divorce in “Diia” continues the trend of moving state services into digital form. The app, launched in 2020, is gradually expanding the list of available services — from obtaining documents to processing transactions. The new feature once again confirms that digitalization in Ukraine affects not only routine administrative procedures but also significant life events of citizens. At the same time, developers emphasize that digital channels complement rather than replace traditional ones, ensuring inclusive access to state services.
