In August 2026, more than a decade after the start of large-scale reforms in the field of document circulation, an interesting legal phenomenon persists in Ukraine: documents of the Soviet sample continue to have full legal force. The Ministry of Justice of Ukraine has officially confirmed that birth certificates issued by civil registry offices (ZAGS) during the period of the existence of the USSR do not require mandatory replacement with modern analogues, provided they are preserved in good condition.
Legal status of Soviet documents
According to the Ministry of Justice, a Soviet birth certificate possesses the same legal force as a modern Ukrainian document. This means that citizens who have preserved "green booklets" with the USSR coat of arms can use them to confirm their identity, process inheritance, receive pensions, and access other state services. The main requirement for the document is that it must be legible, free from serious damage, and contain all necessary information about the owner.
When document replacement is mandatory
Despite the general validity of Soviet certificates, there are specific situations where their replacement becomes necessary. First, if the document is damaged or the information within it has become illegible. Second, if the document contains errors or inaccuracies that hinder its use. Third, replacement may be required upon a change in personal data, for example, a change of surname after marriage or divorce.
Procedure for obtaining a new certificate
To obtain a duplicate birth certificate, citizens can apply to the Department of State Registration of Civil Status Acts (DRACS) at their place of residence or use the corresponding online service via the "Diia" portal. The procedure for issuing a new document takes from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the method of application submission and the availability of all necessary certificates.
Contradictory data
Although the Ministry of Justice insists that the replacement of Soviet certificates is not mandatory, in practice, some state institutions and banks may require the presence of modern documents. This is because not all employees of state institutions are aware of the legal force of Soviet documents or do not trust their authenticity. In such cases, citizens are forced to undergo the replacement procedure, even if it is not required by law.
Transition to electronic documents
In 2026, Ukraine continues its active transition to electronic documents. The Ministry of Justice has developed a draft on the transition to electronic birth and marriage certificates, which will allow citizens to store their documents in digital form and use them via the "Diia" application. This will simplify the procedure for obtaining new certificates and reduce the risk of loss or damage to paper documents.
