Deferral for parents raising a child under 18 on their own

The issue of obtaining a deferral from military service is one of the most pressing in today's environment. Among the categories of persons entitled to such relief are parents raising children under the age of 18 on their own, and according to the new version of the Law, which will come into force on May 18, 2024, this ground now looks like this:

Women and men who have a child (children) under the age of 18, if the other parent of such child (children) has died, been deprived of parental rights, declared missing or missing without a trace, declared dead, is serving a sentence in a penitentiary, or if the person is raising and supporting the child on his/her own by a court decision or the record of the father of such child in the Birth Registration Book is made on the basis of part one of Article 135 of the Family Code of Ukraine.

It is important to note that this right is preserved only if the person is raising the child alone. This means that the other parent must not be in military service, other military formations, military service under contract, not be deprived of parental rights, declared missing or dead, not be under investigation or serving a sentence in a prison.

With the adoption of the new Law, it became clear what conditions give rise to a deferral on this particular ground. An exhaustive list of criteria for granting a person the status of a single parent has been published.

Documents required to obtain a deferral

In order to secure the right to deferment, parents raising children on their own need to submit the following package of documents to the regional Territorial Center for Recruitment and Social Support:

• An application for a deferral.
• Passport and Taxpayer Registration Number of the applicant.
• Birth certificate of the child (children).
• Additional documents certifying the child's independent upbringing (if any).

For example:

• Death certificate of the second parent.
• Court decision (depending on the grounds).
• Certificate of the other parent being under investigation or serving a sentence in prison.

The procedure for obtaining a deferral

• Contact the district Territorial Center for Recruitment and Social Support at the place of residence.
• Update military registration data and military registration document (if the data is outdated).
• Submit the above documents.

It is worth noting! In case of a change in marital status (for example, if the other parent marries and obtains parental rights to the child), the right to deferral is lost.

Practical tips

The mere fact that you are raising your child on your own does not automatically give you the right to a deferral. It needs to be legally fixed. It is recommended that you apply to the Territorial Center for Recruitment and Social Support in advance to avoid queues and bureaucratic delays, and not when you have already been served with a summons, because from that moment on, time is short and you simply will not have time to prepare the necessary package of documents by the specified date of the summons. Before submitting the documents, carefully read the list of required certificates and their requirements. Seek legal advice from specialists in advance to understand the specific plan of action in your situation. Keep copies of all submitted documents.

It is important to remember that obtaining a deferral from mobilization is a legal right of parents raising children on their own. By knowing your rights and properly executing documents, you will be able to protect yourself and your family during this difficult time.

To get legal advice or assistance in obtaining a deferment from mobilization on the grounds of raising a child under 18 years of age, fill out the form on our website and our lawyer will contact you shortly.