Contents
Yes — a lost or old certificate can be restored remotely: a duplicate certificate is issued by ДРАЦС, while older records are retrieved as an archival extract from a state archive. We obtain the document in Ukraine under your power of attorney, apostille it where needed, and translate it. Soviet-era records usually require an archive request first.
Duplicate certificate via ДРАЦС
Birth, marriage, divorce, name-change and death certificates registered after the 1990s are usually in the ДРАЦС registry, so a duplicate certificate can be issued. We file the request under your power of attorney, collect the finished document and — if it is needed abroad — apostille and translate it. The exact timeframe depends on the office and registry workload.
Archival extracts and Soviet-era records
If a record is older or not digitised in the registry, the document is retrieved from a state archive as an archival extract — a separate, slower procedure than a ДРАЦС issue. Soviet-era records almost always require an archive request first, and the timeframe here is set by the archive, not by us. We draft and accompany the request and collect the finished extract for subsequent apostille and translation.
Apostille and translation after retrieval
For the document to be valid abroad, after issue it is usually apostilled and translated as a sworn or notarised translation — depending on the requirements of the receiving institution in the destination country. ДРАЦС certificates are apostilled by the Ministry of Justice; we run the whole chain as one package, so you do not have to coordinate several bodies. Confirm in advance which form of certification the institution requires, as requirements differ.
Message us and we will start retrieving your documents from Ukraine today.
Frequently asked questions
Can a document be restored without travelling to Ukraine?
Yes. We act under a notarised power of attorney, so no trip is needed — we obtain the duplicate certificate or archival extract in Ukraine and send you a finished package with apostille and translation.
How long does retrieval take?
Honestly, an exact timeframe can't be promised: a ДРАЦС duplicate is usually faster, while archive and Soviet-era requests can take notably longer because the archive sets the timing. We'll estimate an approximate term after reviewing your case.
How does a duplicate certificate differ from an archival extract?
A duplicate certificate is a new form for a record held in the ДРАЦС registry. An archival extract is retrieved from a state archive when a record is older or not digitised; for Soviet-era records it is often the only available option. Which document you need depends on the year and place of registration.
Most civil documents from Ukraine can be retrieved remotely, but we don't promise an outcome where the decision rests with the registry or archive: sometimes a record has not survived or needs further clarification. Send us the details of the event and we'll honestly tell you which path is realistic in your case and give an approximate cost — the bureau service starts from UAH 950, with the state fee paid separately.
