Ukraine proposes to return the “nationality” column to passports and birth certificates

An electronic petition has been registered in Ukraine with a proposal to return the “nationality” column to citizens’ passports, birth and marriage certificates, as well as to add relevant information to the “Diya” application. The initiative provides for the possibility of officially indicating the ethnic origin of citizens in state documents.

The author of the appeal proposes to make changes to the regulatory legal acts that regulate the execution of documents, as well as to ensure the technical possibility of displaying information about nationality in electronic state services.

What changes are proposed to be introduced

The initiative provides for the inclusion of information about nationality in several types of documents.

In particular, the author of the petition proposes:

Return the “nationality” column to passports. To do this, it is necessary to change the government resolutions that determine the samples of passports of a citizen of Ukraine in the form of an ID card and passports for traveling abroad.
Add information about nationality to “Diya”. It is proposed to integrate information about ethnic origin into the electronic application.
Change birth certificates. Such documents are proposed to indicate the nationality of the child’s parents.
Supplement marriage certificates and other civil status documents. They may also contain information about the nationality of the person.

Regarding passports, the author of the appeal proposes to provide for the inclusion of such information upon the citizen’s application or on a mandatory basis with the presence of supporting documents.

What justifies the initiative

The author of the petition believes that the opportunity to officially indicate ethnic origin will contribute to the preservation of national identity, cultural heritage and historical memory.

The appeal cites the provisions of Article 11 of the Constitution of Ukraine, according to which the state promotes the consolidation and development of the Ukrainian nation, its historical consciousness, traditions and culture, as well as the development of the identity of indigenous peoples and national minorities.

According to the initiator, the absence of the “nationality” column in modern documents limits the ability of citizens to officially record their ethnicity.

As an example of international experience, the author of the appeal cites Israel, where information on nationality is contained in the population register and in certain internal documents.

Will the “nationality” column be returned to passports?

Currently, no changes to the procedure for issuing Ukrainian passports and other documents have been adopted.

The initiative is at the level of an electronic petition, which must gain the necessary number of votes for consideration by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Even if the appeal receives sufficient support, this will not mean the automatic return of the “nationality” column.

To implement the government’s proposal, it will be necessary to adopt relevant regulatory legal acts, change sample documents, and ensure the technical implementation of new information in state electronic systems.