Divorce from an Egyptian for Ukrainian citizens

What Ukraine requires

Ukraine recognises foreign court decisions where a treaty provides for it or on the principle of reciprocity, which is presumed (Article 462 of the Civil Procedure Code). In Egypt, a wife who wants a divorce goes to court, either for harm or by khula, giving up her deferred dowry; a husband’s divorce (talaq) is registered with a notary. Whether Ukraine accepts a talaq registered with a notary rather than a court decision, we confirm for your case. If you divorce in Ukraine instead, the civil registry can do it only by mutual consent and with no shared minor children, and the Ukrainian divorce then has to be recognised in Egypt before it takes effect there.

Problems we see often

• Egypt has not joined the Hague Convention on child abduction. Either parent can ask an Egyptian court for a travel ban on a child, enforced at the airport, and Ukrainian consuls do not intervene in family disputes.
• Under Egyptian law the mother keeps custody until the child is 15, when the child chooses. The father remains guardian for documents and travel, and children of a Muslim father are considered Muslim.
• Register your child’s Ukrainian citizenship as well, as Ukraine’s children’s ombudsman advises. It helps if you later need Ukrainian documents for the child.
• Your spouse residency is tied to the marriage, so plan your next residency before the divorce is final.

Questions couples ask