Ukrainians abroad can now get notary services online

Ukraine has launched a new electronic system for providing notarial services to Ukrainians living abroad through an automated notary platform. The service is now available at 40 Ukrainian embassies and consulates worldwide, Foreign Affairs Minister Andrii Sybiha said.

The system is accessible online via the following link.

“We are continuing the reform of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ consular services. We constantly work on their digitalization, improvement, and easier access. My team’s mission is clear: Ukrainians abroad should feel supported, cared for, and respected by their country. This also helps preserve the connection between our large diaspora and their homeland,” Sybiha said.

Since July 1, Ukrainians abroad have had access to the new automated notarial service systems. The ministry says it will save time and money for citizens and ease the workload for consular staff.

“The key innovation is that all procedures for submitting and processing documents can now be done online, without the need to visit a diplomatic mission in person,” Sybiha said.

Previously, to complete a notarial act at a consulate, citizens had to appear in person and submit all documents in paper form.

“Now, with the launch of the digital notary, citizens can submit an online application for a notarial act at their convenience through the secure and accessible e-Consul system. They upload a sample of the required power of attorney or notarial statement and all necessary documents,” Sybiha said.

The system guides users on which documents are required for each type of notarial act. A consular officer then reviews the submitted information and approves the notarial document.

“All of this happens without the applicant being physically present. The data submitted and the completed notarial document are stored securely in the system,” Sybiha said.

The applicant then arranges an appointment through the e-Queue system to visit the diplomatic mission at a scheduled time to sign the document in person. After the consul records the notarial act in the official register, the citizen receives the completed document.

Ukrainian citizens already have access to this pilot project for automated notarial services at Ukrainian embassies in Australia, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Botswana, Vietnam, Ghana, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Qatar, Kenya, China, and at consulates-general in Guangzhou and Shanghai. The service is also available at embassies in Congo, South Korea, Ivory Coast, Cuba, Kuwait, Latvia, Malaysia, Morocco, Mexico, Mozambique, UAE, Oman, South Africa, Peru, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Thailand, Tunisia, Chile, Japan, and consulates-general in Milan, Hamburg, and Gdańsk.