Month: January 2017

What important Ukrainian documents are subject to change after changing a surname? What threats does the untimely change of the documents bear?

By tradition of the soviet times many women in Ukraine change still their surname after getting marriage. But hardly anybody thinks about spending time and money for putting documents in order.

While, there are married couples keeping their premarital surnames because they do not wish to bother about changing the documents. Someone can be afraid of reissuing the documents in case of divorce.

Article 35 of the Family Code of Ukraine gives the right of choosing a surname, which can be exercised by any citizens getting married:

• to keep one’s surname;
• to take the husband’s/wife’s surname;
• to add the husband’s/wife’s surname to own surname.

If only a wife takes a double surname, she has to add her husband’s surname to her own and not the reverse.
For example, a resident of Chernivtsi Iryna Klymko decided after getting married to Valentyn Maslianchuk to take a double surname. For that reason her surname is Klymko-Maslianchuk.

If both want to have a double surname after getting married, they should agree which premarital surname will be the first.

The officer of the civil registry office has to clarify by registering the marriage which surnames the couple will take.

What documents are subject to change?

After changing a surname a number of important documents are subject to change. They are: a Ukrainian passport, a foreign passport, bank agreements and cards, insurance contracts, housing and communal service contracts. Also a will, a car registration and insurance for your surname are subject to change.

1. Changing a Ukrainian passport
Next after changing a surname, a passport of the citizen of Ukraine is subject to change. After registration of marriage a note that the passport is subject to change in a month after marriage registration is made by the officer of the civil registry office in the passport. If the term is defaulted, it will be considered an administrative violation. A penalty in an amount from 17 to 51 hryvnias can be imposed for such violation.

The following documents are required by the State Migration Service for changing a passport: an application for changing a passport, a valid passport, two photos 3.5×4.5 in size, a marriage certificate and its copy. If you change your passport after dissolution of marriage, you have to submit a divorce certificate or a divorce decree and pay a state duty in amount of 17 hryvnias. A new passport will be issued in a month.

2. A foreign passport
After changing the Ukrainian passport you should change your foreign passport. Without changing it is valid only a month from the date of changing the surname. In addition, the information about the invalidity of your old foreign passport after changing the surname is sent to the State Migration Service and the Interpol. The price for changing a foreign passport is equal to the price of producing a new one.

3. Fiscal authority
The State Fiscal Service of Ukraine should also be informed about changing a surname, because the appropriate changes are entered into the register of taxpayers (a taxpayer card is subject to change). A taxpayer identification number is the same, only a surname is changed. A new certificate will be issued in two weeks. An administrative penalty for failure to provide information about changing an identification code certificate is 85 hryvnias.

4. Bank agreements and cards
If you have any dealings with a bank, you should change your bank agreements and cards. That concerns all cards: payroll, credit, “for payment” cards. All dealings with a bank are strictly regularized and appropriately recorded in the agreement. For that reason it would be better to re-execute all the bank documents according to the new surname. It will secure an account holder against delay or denial of redemption of deposits (if any).

5. All agreements and registers
The changes should be made in all the agreements having been signed by you before, for example, insurance contracts, and housing and communal service contracts. The housing and communal service contract is not obligatorily subject to change. But if there is such opportunity it is worth to do that in order to avoid problems with providers of the services in future.

Be sure to inform about changing your surname in the department of the State Electoral Register at the place of your registration. Without making changes in the electoral register you will be absent in the electoral list and cannot vote.

Documents which are not subject to change

After changing a surname not all documents are subject to change. Some are valid. For proof of identity a person has to give a new passport and a document on the basis of which the surname was changed. These documents are as follows:

• educational documents: certificates of secondary and higher education, doctoral certificates, qualification upgrading certificates and so on;
• title deeds. For example, an apartment sale and purchase agreement is not subject to change;
• an employment record book. An appropriate amendment is made in it by the personal department.

A driver license is also not subject to change. When showing the documents relating to the vehicle you must to show the documents on the basis of which the surname was changed. If you decided to change your driver license, you medical certificate is also subject to change. But you do not need to resit an exam.

At least five people were arrested on Thursday in the market “Pryvos” in Simferopol in the occupied Crimea.

A man is trying to clear up the reasons of his detention in the case when he just has been going to the market for groceries. A policeman is willingly explaining him that he has doubts about the authenticity of his document. Although he has not committed any action to clarify the authenticity – he has scarcely seen the Ukrainian passport, immediately has taken it away.

Besides the owners of the Ukrainian passports the occupants detain Muslims, or rather “young men with a non-Slavic appearance.”

At least five people with the Ukrainian passports were arrested today during the police raid in the market “Pryvos” in Simferopol.
Witnesses saw them being taken, and then there has been no information. People are frightened and do not want to tell anything more about this event.

The Security Service of Ukraine covered illegal activities of an organized criminal group in Kiev. Law breakers for certain payment forged passports and other documents which enabled unhindered crossing the border of Ukraine.

The press centre of the Security Service of Ukraine informed about searches having been made simultaneously in six houses of the law breakers. The equipment used for producing the false documents was found there.

Also, the law enforcement officers found passports and other strictly accountable documents with the forgery evidences and elements.

“A criminal proceeding according to Part 2 of Article 332 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine is opened. The complex of urgent actions remains under investigation.

The security forces covered an underground network for producing false documents for militias in Donetsk region. Production was organized by a resident of Pokrovsk which sold Ukrainian passports to occupants of the “DNR”.

The security forces making the search discovered scores of passports of citizens of Ukraine with all signs of forgery and also equipment for making a stamp on the photographs in the documents. The security forces also found blank forms with imprint of the coat of arms. Such certificates are usually issued in order to pass the registration procedure for temporary relocation easily.

The woman also concealed certificates of birth, reports of passports lost and stolen. About four scores of letters of verifications and 60 photos were also found by the SSU.

What You Need to Know About Fake EU Passports

Fake EU passports are a growing issue, particularly among Ukrainians seeking work or residency in European Union countries. These fraudulent documents often come with serious risks, including legal consequences and financial loss. Understanding how scammers operate can help you protect yourself.

What Are Fake EU Passports?

A fake EU passport is a counterfeit or falsified document designed to mimic official EU travel documents. Scammers create these to deceive individuals who may be unaware of their illegitimacy.

Why Fake EU Passports Are Risky

1. Legal Consequences: Using a fake passport can lead to deportation, hefty fines, or even imprisonment.
2. Financial Loss: Victims often pay large sums for these documents, only to find out they’re unusable.
3. Identity Theft: Scammers may collect personal information for further fraudulent activities.
4. Travel Risks: Being caught with a fake passport at a border can result in being barred from entering the EU.

How Scammers Target Ukrainians with Fake Passports

Scammers exploit the desire for better opportunities in EU countries. They often:

• Advertise “authentic-looking EU passports” online.
• Claim they have connections in immigration services.
• Use high-pressure tactics to make victims act quickly.
• Offer passports at prices that seem reasonable but are completely fake.

Real-Life Cases of Fake EU Passport Scams

In 2023, several Ukrainians reported paying scammers over €1,000 for EU passports that turned out to be fake. One victim from Lviv shared that the scammers used professional-looking documents to gain trust but disappeared after receiving payment.

How to Verify Passport Authenticity

To avoid falling victim to scams:

1. Inspect the Passport: Look for signs of tampering or poor-quality printing.
2. Use Verification Services: Trusted services like Verify Ukrainian Passport Online can confirm a document’s authenticity.
3. Check with Authorities: Contact the official government agency in the issuing country for verification.
4. Stay Informed: Learn about common scams and fake document trends.

Legal Consequences of Using Fake Passports

Using a fake EU passport can result in:

• Deportation and bans on re-entry to the EU.
• Fines ranging from €1,000 to €10,000, depending on the country.
• Imprisonment for up to 5 years in severe cases.

FAQ About Fake EU Passports

Q: How can I verify the authenticity of an EU passport?
A: Use trusted verification services or contact the issuing country’s government directly.

Q: What happens if I’m caught using a fake passport?
A: You may face legal penalties, including fines, deportation, or imprisonment.

Q: Why do scammers target Ukrainians with fake passports?
A: Many Ukrainians seek work or residency in the EU, making them vulnerable to fraud.

Related Links

• Verify Ukrainian Passport Online
• How to Spot a Fake Profile from Kazakhstan
• How to Apply for a Ukrainian Passport

Comparison Table: Real vs. Fake Passports

With the beginning of fighting in the East of Ukraine life has not stopped in these areas. Authorities of the fake republics put the most efforts to simulate the state with all its attributes. Facts of birth, death, inheritance, registration and dissolution of marriage are attended with documentation and stamping of the unrecognized republics. It is clear that all these “documents” have no force or effect on the territory of Ukraine, as issued by authorities which do not exist in fact. Records about any legal events that occur in the uncontrolled areas shall not be entered into the state registers of Ukraine, and therefore de jure they do not occur.

One of the areas of separatists’ populism is passporting population

“A passport” of the self-proclaimed republic will not be recognized in any civilized country. Some Medias disseminate information that the Ukrainian passports are seized when issuing the “passport” of the self-proclaimed republics. However, this approach is unlikely to implement by the occupying authorities, because if a citizen loses the Ukrainian passport, he cannot get social benefits, including pensions at least until its recovery. Clearly, if people from the uncontrolled territories do not receive at least some income from Ukraine, they will make the authorities of the self-proclaimed republics provide uninterrupted financing of the population that cannot be done. Therefore, members of the terrorist organizations like the idea of dual citizenship for residents of the occupied territories: they can both keep the Ukrainian passport and get the fake republics. Even the residents of the occupied territories understand: the military conflict will come to an end in the future, and the Ukrainian passport in case of damage or destruction shall be recover.

If as a result of hostilities the Ukraine passport was damaged or lost, a person shall submit to the territorial department of the State Migration Service of Ukraine the following documents in order to obtain a new passport:

• the application for replacement of the passport lost;
• two photographs 3,5 x 4,5 cm in size;
• the receipt of payment of the state duty;
• documents on the basis of which marks are entered into the passport (the presence of the passport of the citizen of Ukraine for travelling abroad, marriage registration or dissolution, residence registration);
• the copy of decree on institution or refusal to institute criminal proceedings regarding to the person’s report to the police about the passport stolen (if available).

Facts occurred in the “DNR” and “LNR” shall be determined only in a court case

We recommend the residents of the eastern region, which failed because of life circumstances to move to the controlled territory, still get the “documents” with the stamps of the self-proclaimed republics. It is not about the separatist “passports” but about various certificates, statements of medical institutions of birth, deaths and so on. These “documents” will be useful in determining certain circumstances in the courts, because there is no ability for legalization of such “documents”.

Courts hear cases without any delay

Taking into account the variety of situations that occur in the area of ATO, the parliament adapts the legislation to life in the occupation. Thus, the application on finding a fact about a person’s born in the temporarily occupied territory may be submitted by parents, relatives, their representatives or other legal representatives of the child to any court outside that territory of Ukraine regardless of the applicant’s place of residence. The application on finding a fact about a person’s death in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine may be submitted by relatives of a deceased or their representatives to a court outside that territory. In addition, the cases regarding the establishment of a fact of birth or death of a person in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine are considered immediately after receipt of the application to the court. A court decision shall have immediate effect. A copy of the decision is issued to the persons involved in the case immediately after the declaration of the decision or is immediately sent by the court to the state civil registration at the place of deciding for the state registration of the birth or death of a person.

REFERENCE
17,086 birth certificates are registered from November 2014 till August 2016 in the areas of the “DNR”.

Fraudulent checking the Russian passport is performed not only by law enforcement officers, but by the people being rather far from such activity. Well, for example – a simple and common situation: you want to rent or to rent out an apartment, or even an accommodation. Or you are going to lend a large sum to one honest man vouched by your good friend who “knows him for a hundred years”. In any case, it is highly desirable to know whom you are dealing with – with criminals or with normal people. So, how can you check the passport of the citizen of the Russian Federation?

Steps to Verify a Russian Passport

Don’t know how to read a Russian passport? How to tell if a passport is fake? We know how to verify a passport is valid (or fake). Order our service of validation of Russian passport. We have the necessary knowledge and experience. We will help you to find out if your Russian girlfriend is real or scammer.

How to Check the Authenticity of a Russian Passport

If you have internet access, the simplest way to verify a Russian passport is by checking its series and number on the official website of the Federal Migration Service (FMS) of the Russian Federation. On this platform, you can also verify other documents, such as work permits for migrant workers or invitations for foreign citizens to enter Russia.

However, if the passport is flagged as invalid, it is better to avoid dealing with the document holder. That said, even if the passport is valid, it doesn’t guarantee that it belongs to the person presenting it. The passport could be a forgery using valid credentials, stolen, or lost and not yet reported to the police.

Is the Passport Authentic?

Russian passports are well-protected against counterfeiting, so creating a completely fake passport is rare. Instead, forgers often alter legitimate documents partially. Here are common signs of fake or tampered passports:

Common Signs of a Fake Passport

Photo Replacement

Criminals often replace the photo in a stolen or lost passport rather than creating a completely fake document. Although the photo page is laminated, forgers can:

• Paste a new photo over the original one and re-laminate the page.
• Carefully remove the original photo, insert a new one, and re-laminate it.
• Create an entirely fake page with a new photo and attach it over the old one.

How to spot this: Examine the photo page carefully. Look for signs of tampering, such as uneven lamination, mismatched fonts, or inconsistencies in the paper quality.

Page Replacement

Scammers may attempt to remove pages from one passport and replace them with pages from another. This type of forgery is relatively easy to detect:

• Compare the series and number on each page. They should match throughout the passport.
• Check for size discrepancies. A replaced page may slightly protrude or not align perfectly with the others.

Key Takeaway

When verifying a Russian passport, always look beyond its apparent validity. Even a valid passport could be altered or used fraudulently. If you suspect forgery, use professional verification services to ensure the authenticity of the document and protect yourself from potential scams.

In addition, any foreign recording marks or stamps are not allowed in the passport of the citizen of the RF. It is obvious that the passport with a stamp “redeemable” is invalid.

The page with the name and photo should be checked with particular care. The photo shows the main protection elements of these pages.

Since 2011 a new cover-up is used for lamination, which is difficult to remove, it has the monogram with the word “RF”, and with the special hologram.

On 1^st July, 2011 an issue of new passports started in Russia. The main difference of a new passport form from an old one is a special box with basic information about the passport holder at the bottom under the photo.

The new Russian passport form. Photo

In addition, the watermark such as in the picture below must be clearly visible on all pages of the passport when holding to light.

In addition, the document should be checked for various inconsistencies: the date and place of birth, the year of birth, special attention must be paid to the stamp, for example, the fact that the passport was issued by one department, and a stamp of another department is used seems to be strange.

Using UV Light

If you have access to UV light, you can quickly identify many fake passports. Under UV light, genuine passports reveal specific security features, such as holograms or watermarks, that are difficult to replicate.

To learn more about the security features of Russian passports, read our detailed guide: Security Elements of the Passport of the Citizen of the Russian Federation.

Indirect Verification Methods

Indirect methods can also help identify suspicious passports. For instance:

• Condition of the Passport:
  • If an old passport looks brand new, it might indicate tampering or recent re-issuance under questionable circumstances.
  • Conversely, a passport in unusually poor condition may suggest a history of neglect or a lifestyle that raises red flags, such as being lost, stolen, or used excessively.
• Residence Permit Page:
  • Examine the residence registration details carefully. If someone was de-registered from an address and later re-registered at the same place, it could suggest a criminal past or suspicious activities.

Identify Russian Scammers

Looking for more information about suspicious individuals? Visit our Online Dating Scammer List to uncover profiles of known scammers, including individuals who may use fake passports.

You’ve met a stunning Ukrainian woman on a dating site. She tells you she’s ready to visit you in the United States or Europe but there’s one problem:

“I don’t have a passport yet… and to get one fast, I need $1,000 for special processing.”

She promises to come as soon as you send the money. It sounds urgent, romantic, and real. But is it?

At Ukrainian-Passport.com, we’ve been exposing fake women and fraudulent documents since 2010. Thousands of men have asked us this same question:

• How long does it really take to get a Ukrainian passport?
• Can someone truly get one in a few days?
• Why are these women asking for thousands of dollars?

Here’s the full truth about Ukrainian passports, government timelines, and how scammers manipulate you with fake promises.

🕒 How Long Does It Actually Take to Get a Ukrainian Passport in 2025?

There are two types of Ukrainian biometric passports:

• Standard issuance: up to 20 business days
• Urgent issuance: up to 7 business days

These are official processing times set by the State Migration Service of Ukraine (DMS).

Important facts:

• No Ukrainian passport can be legally issued in 1–3 days.
• Even with urgent processing, it’s about a week, not overnight.
• Delays are common during peak travel seasons or due to war-related disruptions.

💰 Real Costs vs Scam Prices

The government fees in 2025:

• Standard passport: ~20–25 USD
• Urgent passport: ~40–50 USD

Scammers, however, routinely demand:

• $1,000 – $3,000 for “express passports”
• Claims of 24-hour issuance

🚩 Red flag: These services do not exist. No lawyer, agency, or “friend at the passport office” can bypass government procedures for thousands of dollars.

📜 Difference Between Ukrainian Internal and International Passports

To travel abroad, a Ukrainian citizen needs a biometric international passport. Some scammers send scans of:

• Internal passports (ID cards or booklets): cannot be used for international travel
• Old-style passports: expired or invalid for EU/US visas

They mix up terms deliberately to confuse foreign men, pretending the process is harder than it really is.

🛂 Official Process to Get a Passport

1. Application: Submit documents at a DMS office or passport center.
2. Biometrics: Fingerprints and photos are taken.
3. Production: Passport is printed at a central facility.
4. Issuance: Pick up in 7 or 20 business days.

Required documents:

• Ukrainian ID (internal passport or ID card)
• Tax number
• Old international passport (if renewing)

📌 No official service allows issuance in less than 7 days.

🚨 Scammers Exploit Fake Deadlines

Romance scammers exploit men’s emotions with fabricated passport stories:

• “I urgently need money to get my passport today.”
• “Without $2,000, I can’t travel.”
• “The agency said they can do it in 48 hours for a VIP fee.”

In reality:

• Many scammers never applied for a passport.
• The photos they send are photoshopped or stolen.
• The urgency is designed to make you send money fast.

🔥 Real Scam Scenarios We’ve Exposed

• Case 1: An American man wired $2,500 to “help” his online girlfriend. She never visited him and kept inventing new reasons for delays. We discovered no passport application existed in her name.
• Case 2: A fake travel agency promised to issue a passport in 48 hours. We traced it – it was a scam website used to collect deposits.
• Case 3: Multiple men received identical passport scans from different women. We confirmed these were fake documents generated for scams.

🧠 Why Scammers Use Passport Urgency Tricks

• Psychological pressure: Fear of missing the chance to meet her
• Time-limited offers: “Only today can we do fast processing”
• Layered scams: After you pay for the passport, they ask for visa fees, then airline tickets, then “emergencies”

In many cases, men end up losing tens of thousands of dollars over months without ever seeing the woman.

🔎 How We Verify Ukrainian Passports

Since 2010, Ukrainian-Passport.com has specialized in detecting fraudulent documents. Our experts:

• Validate passport numbers in official and private databases
• Detect forged biometric pages and altered photos
• Check if a passport was ever legally issued by the Ukrainian government
• Analyze scans for digital manipulation

💡 Success rate: We identify fake or stolen passports in more than 60% of cases sent to us for verification.

🛡️ How to Protect Yourself

Before sending money to “help” with a Ukrainian passport:

• ✅ Use our Woman Verification Service to check if she’s real.
• ✅ Submit passport scans to our Ukrainian Passport Check for authenticity.
• ✅ Learn more from our Online Fraud Prevention Guide.

We’ll tell you with certainty:

• Is the passport genuine?
• Has it been altered or stolen?
• Does the woman even exist?

❓ FAQ

Can a Ukrainian passport really be issued in 1–2 days?

No. The minimum is 7 business days for urgent service. Any faster timeline is fraudulent.

How much does a passport cost in Ukraine?

Less than $50 for urgent service. Anyone asking for thousands is lying.

Can private agencies issue passports faster?

No. Only official DMS offices produce passports. Agencies can only help with appointments or paperwork.

How do I know if her passport is real?

Use our verification services. We’ve exposed hundreds of fake documents in the past decade.

✅ Final Word

Ukrainian passport issuance is a straightforward, government-run process.

• It cannot be done overnight.
• It doesn’t cost thousands of dollars.
• And many online “girlfriends” claiming otherwise are professional scammers.

For over a decade, Ukrainian-Passport.com has helped men worldwide uncover scams, verify women’s identities, and check passport authenticity.

👉 Don’t let fake urgency drain your wallet. Verify first and know the truth before you believe the lies.