Going abroad at the age of 17

Restrictions on Travel Abroad During Wartime for Underage Men

Nowadays, in order to cross the state border without hindrance, a person must, firstly, have a legal basis for this (belong to one of the categories of citizens who are allowed to travel abroad during wartime in accordance with the law), and secondly, present the mandatory legal documents (in addition to a passport, relevant certificates, certificates, etc.

According to Part 3 of Article 313 of the Civil Code of Ukraine, a citizen who has not yet reached the age of 18, but who has already reached the age of 16, may cross the border freely and at his own discretion. This implies the absence of a mandatory requirement to obtain special permission from parents (guardians) for such a trip. Moreover, from the analysis of the provisions of the Rules for Crossing the State Border, it becomes clear that children before reaching the age of majority have the right to freely cross the state border even during martial law in the country.

Thus, traveling abroad at the age of 17 is not prohibited for a child.

What documents are needed for a 17-year-old boy to successfully leave the country?

As a general rule, in order to successfully cross the state border, a person must have an internal and international passport valid at the time of departure. In addition, since boys after the age of 16 have a direct obligation to register with the military registration and enlistment office, there is a need to obtain a registration certificate and have up-to-date data about the young man in the relevant database of conscripts.

A registration certificate is a type of military registration document that confirms the registration of a minor for military registration. Usually, boys receive a summons from the district CCC and SP, or it is issued directly to them at the educational institution where they study. Along with the summons, young men also receive a specific order to appear at the relevant CCC at the place of their state registration to enter information about them into the register of conscripts, military conscripts and reservists. If they do not appear for registration at the age of 17, the young man may be held administratively liable and fined.

It is also worth noting: according to the provisions of the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine of 08/16/2024, boys aged 16 to 18 are registered without passing the VLK, by entering information about them into the "Oberig" register of the necessary information by representatives of the CCC and SP. This is also checked by the traffic police if a 17-year-old wishes to cross the state border.

The most common reasons for refusing permission for a 17-year-old to travel abroad

Even though there are currently no specific restrictions on the departure of boys from Ukraine at the age of 17, there are cases when it is possible to receive a refusal from the State Tax Service. The main reasons for such a refusal for minors are given:

1. lack of necessary documents (no valid international passport, registration certificate, sometimes a document confirming the purpose of the trip abroad);
2. absence of information (or part of it) about the young man in the register of conscripts, military conscripts and reservists, or the detection of certain discrepancies (errors on the part of the CCK and the SP when entering the relevant information into the “Oberig”);
3. presence of certain legal prohibitions (for example, a court decision prohibiting travel abroad).

If you believe that the decision of the State Tax Service to refuse to allow a 17-year-old to cross the border is unfounded and does not comply with the legislation of Ukraine, you can appeal it.

To understand the correct procedure for such an appeal, you can always seek advice from our lawyer.

Lawyer's support for successful border crossing at 17

The support of an experienced lawyer “Prikhodko & Partners” can be useful for a 17-year-old citizen of Ukraine to successfully travel abroad and avoid a possible refusal from the State Customs Service. Professional legal support will help you:

• to correctly prepare documents;
• to accompany if necessary and assist in communicating with border guards;
• in case of refusal to travel - promptly appeal such a decision (if there are grounds to consider it as one that does not comply with the current national legislation of Ukraine).

Conclusions. Minor citizens can cross the state border during martial law. The law does not establish direct restrictions on the travel of 17-year-old boys, however, there are requirements for military registration. Thus, for successful travel, a person must provide: a passport and a registration certificate confirming registration for military registration in the Central Military District and the Joint Service. A lawyer from Prikhodko & Partners Law Firm can assist in the correct execution of documents, accompany during inspections, and protect the rights of a citizen in case of violations.

Contact our leading specialists and receive high-quality escort services when crossing the state border. To receive a consultation, please fill out the form below.