Marriage records in Ukraine are essential legal documents that validate and document the union between two individuals. These records are maintained by the State Civil Registration Service (RAZS) under the Ministry of Justice in Ukraine. They serve as an official proof of marriage and are essential for legal purposes, inheritance, and documentation of family relationships.
The process of registering a marriage typically begins with the couple submitting an application to the local civil registration office in the area where they plan to get married. The application requires various documents, including passports, birth certificates, and sometimes divorce certificates or death certificates if either or both parties were previously married.
Following the submission of necessary documents and verification by the civil registration office, the couple can proceed with the marriage ceremony. This can be a civil ceremony conducted at the RAZS office or a religious ceremony in a church or other approved religious institution.
After the marriage ceremony, the civil registration office issues a marriage certificate, validating the marriage legally. This document includes details of the spouses, date and place of marriage, and the signatures of witnesses.
Marriage records in Ukraine are typically accessible to the spouses, their immediate family members, or authorized individuals who have a direct interest or legal reason to access these records. Public access to these records might vary based on local regulations and privacy laws.
For individuals seeking marriage records in Ukraine, they can request copies or obtain information from the local civil registration office where the marriage was registered. The required procedure and necessary documentation may vary based on the specific region or administrative practices within Ukraine.
History of marriage records in Ukraine
Marriage records in Ukraine have a diverse history influenced by various rulers, administrative changes, and religious practices.
Pre-Modern era
In the medieval era, marriage records were less standardized and were often documented within church records, reflecting the religious confession of the individuals involved. Churches were instrumental in recording marriages, births, and deaths, especially within the Orthodox Christian tradition.
Types of church records
- Orthodox Christianity held significant influence in Ukraine, particularly within the Eastern Orthodox tradition. The church was responsible for recording sacramental events, including marriages, baptisms, and deaths. Marriage records were often documented in parish registers or church books. These registers were handwritten by clergy and maintained within individual parishes or dioceses.
- Church Slavonic Language: Records were typically written in Church Slavonic, a liturgical language used by the Orthodox Church. This language was also used for religious texts and official church documents.
- In regions of Ukraine where Catholicism prevailed, particularly in western parts influenced by Poland and Austria, marriage records were maintained by the Roman Catholic Church. Records in Roman Catholic parishes were written in Latin or local languages, such as Polish or Ukrainian, depending on the region and historical period.
- Jewish marriage records were maintained according to Jewish religious customs and laws, often documented in Hebrew or Yiddish.
Imperial Russia era (18th-19th Centuries)
With Ukraine under Imperial Russia, the Orthodox Church continued to record marriages. However, secular authorities also started maintaining civil registers, especially after the introduction of civil registration reforms in the Russian Empire in the early 19th century. These records were documented in Russian.
Soviet era
After the Russian Revolution and the establishment of the Soviet Union, the Soviet government implemented civil registration systems to replace religious records. These records were maintained by local civil registration offices and were typically in Russian or Ukrainian. During the Soviet era, record-keeping practices evolved, and documentation became more standardized. However, access to records could be restricted, and some records might have been centralized or lost due to administrative changes or conflicts.
Post-Soviet period
After gaining independence in 1991, Ukraine established its own civil registration system. Modern marriage records are kept by local civil registration offices and are recorded in Ukrainian.
Tips on searching for marriage records Ukraine
Finding marriage records in Ukraine from the pre-Soviet era to modern times can be a multi-step process due to historical events, changes in administrative divisions, and varying record-keeping practices over time. Here are some steps and considerations for finding marriage records.
Identify the location
Determine the specific town, village, or administrative region where the marriage took place. This information is crucial for your search as records are usually kept at local archives or registry offices.
Contact civil registration offices
For modern records (post-Soviet era), contact the local civil registration office in the area where the marriage occurred. They often hold records dating back to the early 20th century. Keep in mind that access to recent records may be restricted due to privacy laws.
Archives
For pre-Soviet era records, check regional or state archives. Ukraine has various archival institutions where historical records are stored. The State Archives Service of Ukraine might be a starting point. Determine which archive covers the area of interest and inquire about marriage records.
Be prepared to encounter records in Ukrainian, Russian, or other languages. Old records might be handwritten and in a format that requires interpretation by someone familiar with the language and script of that era.
See also
Search for marriage records in Ukraine
Explore more about marriage records in Ukraine
- Ethnicity map of Ukraine at MyHeritage
- Ukrainian vital records database at MyHeritage
- Beginning Ukrainian Genealogy at Legacy Family Tree Webinars.
- Bessarabia, Jewish Marriages from JewishGen at MyHeritage