Deferral from Mobilization: Rules for Parents with Many Children and Information for Alimony Debtors.

Ukraine has introduced new deferral rules from military service for parents with many children. According to the new mobilization law, conscripted men and women with three or more children under the age of 18 can receive a deferral during mobilization.

This right is limited. The law, which came into force on May 18, 2024, requires conscripted parents of three or more children to appear at territorial recruitment centers within 60 days to confirm their deferral. To confirm this right, in addition to proving paternity or maternity, it is also necessary to prove the absence of alimony debt if such exist.

The key point is that if a person has alimony debt with a total amount exceeding three months' worth of payments, they lose the right to a deferral. However, the law provides for the possibility of restoring this right in case of full repayment of the debt.

To receive a deferral, several documents need to be provided. If all children are from one marriage and the parents are together, birth certificates of the children and the marriage registration certificate are required. But if the children are from different marriages or the marriage has been dissolved, the list of documents expands. It may include a court decision on the dissolution of the marriage and determination of the children's place of residence, a guardianship and custody authority decision, a written agreement between the parents on the children's residence and the participation of the other parent in their upbringing, as well as documents confirming the payment of alimony.

To obtain a deferral, an application must be submitted to the territorial recruitment center in the form provided by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. The decision on granting the deferral is made by a special commission established in the territorial recruitment center.

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine also plans to implement an online deferral in the mobile application Reserve+. This will be done by integrating with other state registries. Initially, this feature will be available for parents with many children and students.