Documents for Buying an Apartment in Ukraine: The Full List for Buyer and Seller
Volodymyr SydorenkoJanuary 15, 2026
Which documents are needed to buy or sell an apartment in Ukraine: lists for the seller, buyer and notary, special cases (children, marriage, inheritance, mortgage) and how the transaction works step by step.
Documents for Buying an Apartment in Ukraine: The Full List for Buyer and Seller
A notarized apartment sale takes an hour or two, but preparing for it can take weeks. Deals are most often postponed because of a missing document: an ex-wife's consent, a valuation that has "expired" or permission from the guardianship authority. This article lists all documents for the seller and buyer, special cases and the order of the transaction.
Remember that an apartment sale agreement must be notarized (Article 657 of the Civil Code), and ownership passes to the buyer at the moment of state registration (Article 334). Registration is usually done by the same notary immediately after certifying the agreement under the Law on State Registration of Property Rights to Real Estate.
Seller's Documents
1. Identity Document and Taxpayer Number
A Ukrainian passport (booklet or ID card) and the individual taxpayer registration number (RNOKPP). If the owner is a foreigner, a passport with a translation and a Ukrainian taxpayer number are required.
2. Title Document
A document confirming how the seller acquired the apartment:
- a sale, exchange, gift or lifetime maintenance agreement;
- a certificate of inheritance;
- a certificate of ownership (including for privatized housing);
- a court decision that has entered into force;
- documents from a developer: the contract, acceptance certificate and certificate of acceptance into operation.
If the right was registered before 2013, the notary may request confirmation of registration from the BTI.
3. Technical Passport
The technical passport contains the apartment plan and room areas. It lets you check for unauthorized redevelopment. If the passport is old or lost, a certified technical inventory engineer can produce a new one. Why layout discrepancies are a serious problem is explained in apartment redevelopment and legalization.
4. Valuation Report
To determine the seller's tax base, a market valuation is required, performed by a licensed appraiser under the Law on Valuation of Property and Professional Valuation Activity. The report is registered in the Unified Database of Valuation Reports of the State Property Fund. Taxes are paid on the higher of the contract price and the appraised value. More in property valuation.
5. Spousal Consent or Confirmation of No Marriage
If the apartment was acquired during marriage, a notarized consent of the other spouse to the sale is required (Article 65 of the Family Code). If the seller isn't married, the notary may ask for a statement to that effect. If divorced, you'll need the divorce certificate and documents on division of property or the ex-spouse's consent.
6. Guardianship Authority Permission
Required if a minor is an owner or co-owner, or if children have the right to use the apartment. The permission is issued by the children's services department at the place of residence; it can take several weeks.
7. Extract of Registered Residents
Confirms who is registered in the apartment. It's important for the buyer that everyone deregisters by the deal date or a deadline agreed in the contract.
8. Certificates of No Debt
Not formally required by the notary, but the buyer should ask for certificates from the condominium association or building manager and utility suppliers.
Buyer's Documents
- Passport and taxpayer number.
- Spousal consent to the purchase. Yes, the buyer needs it too, since the purchased apartment will become joint marital property.
- Documents on the source of funds. Notaries and banks must perform financial monitoring under Law No. 361-IX. Prepare income statements, tax returns, agreements on the sale of other property or a loan agreement.
- Loan documents, if buying with a mortgage: the loan agreement, the mortgage agreement and insurance policies. See how to prepare in getting a mortgage in Ukraine and our eOselia guide.
- A power of attorney, if a representative acts on the buyer's behalf.
What the Notary Checks
Understanding what the notary does helps you prepare and avoid wasting time. Under the Law on Notaries, the notary:
- establishes the identity of the parties and checks their legal capacity;
- checks that the apartment belongs to the seller according to the State Register of Property Rights;
- checks for bans, seizures and mortgages, or the encumbrancer's consent;
- checks for spousal consent and guardianship permission if needed;
- explains the content and consequences of the deal;
- performs financial monitoring and may refuse to certify the deal if the source of funds isn't confirmed;
- checks payment of taxes and fees, without which the deal won't be certified.
The notary doesn't check the technical condition of the apartment, whether the layout matches the documents or whether the price is good for you. Those questions are your responsibility.
Documents for a Mortgage or eOselia Purchase
If you're buying with a loan, the bank will require additional documents before the deal:
- a loan application and income documents for the last 6–12 months;
- a valuation report from a bank-accredited appraiser;
- copies of the seller's title documents for the bank's legal review;
- an insurance policy for the apartment, sometimes also life insurance for the borrower.
At the deal three documents are signed: the sale agreement, the loan agreement and the mortgage agreement, and the notary registers the mortgage in the state register. Mortgage relations are governed by the Law on Mortgage.
Special Cases
The Apartment Was Inherited
Check the date the inheritance opened and the date of the certificate. Heirs have six months to accept an inheritance (Article 1270 of the Civil Code), and a missed deadline can be restored by a court. If the certificate was issued recently, the risk of other heirs appearing is higher. Tax implications for an heir who sells are covered in inheritance and gifting of real estate.
The Apartment Is Mortgaged
The mortgagee bank's consent to the sale is required, and payment usually goes toward repaying the loan. The encumbrance is removed at the same time as or before the agreement is certified.
An Apartment in a New Building
If the building has been commissioned and ownership is registered, the documents are standard. If not, the subject of the deal is property rights, and the documents depend on the scheme: the contract with the developer, a certificate of full payment, an assignment agreement. See how to check a developer.
The Seller or Buyer Is Abroad
The deal can be concluded through a representative under a notarized power of attorney. Powers of attorney issued abroad must be legalized or apostilled and translated. The buyer should make sure the power of attorney is valid and, if possible, talk to the owner personally by video.
Selling a Share
When a share is sold, the other co-owners have a pre-emptive right to buy it (Article 362 of the Civil Code). The seller must notify them in writing of the intention to sell, stating the price. Otherwise the deal can be challenged.
The Transaction Step by Step
- A preliminary agreement and, if needed, a deposit or advance agreement.
- Collecting documents by the seller and buyer.
- A legal check of the apartment — see our apartment checklist.
- Valuation and calculation of taxes.
- The notary visit: checking documents, registers and identities, signing the agreement.
- Paying taxes and fees — income tax, military levy, state duty and the pension fund levy. Who pays what is explained in property sale and purchase taxes.
- Settlement between the parties — by bank transfer, through a safe deposit box or a notary's deposit account.
- State registration of the buyer's ownership.
- Handing over the keys and signing a handover report with meter readings.
Common Mistakes
- An expired valuation. A valuation report has a limited validity period. Order it closer to the deal date.
- Missing spousal consent for the buyer. Many think only the seller needs it.
- Underestimating the time for guardianship permission. Plan the deal with a margin.
- Paying cash "hand to hand" without a receipt or witnesses.
- Understating the price in the contract. If the agreement is ever terminated, you can only recover the amount stated in it.
After the Deal: What the Buyer Should Do
- Transfer the utility accounts.
- Notify the condominium association or building manager about the change of owner.
- Check that your ownership appears in the register by requesting an information extract.
- Insure the apartment.
- Keep all transaction documents — you'll need them for a future sale, redevelopment or property tax matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to prepare the documents? If everything is in order, one to two weeks. If you need guardianship permission, a new technical passport or a transfer of data from paper registers, up to a month or more.
Can the deal be done with a notary in another city? Yes, the notary can be chosen regardless of where the apartment is located.
Who pays the notary? It's a matter of agreement. Most often the buyer pays the notary or the cost is split, while each party pays its own taxes.
Do I need an agent to collect documents? Not necessarily, but an experienced agent saves time and knows the typical problems. See how to choose a real estate agent.
Conclusion
A carefully prepared set of documents ensures the deal happens on the planned day and your rights are protected. Start collecting at least 2–4 weeks ahead, check the special cases and agree the list with the notary in advance. And remember: the seller's documents aren't a formality but the main source of information about the apartment's risks.
Sources
- Civil Code of Ukraine — Articles 334, 362, 657, 1270.
- Family Code of Ukraine — Articles 60, 65.
- Law on State Registration of Property Rights to Real Estate and Their Encumbrances.
- Law on Valuation of Property, Property Rights and Professional Valuation Activity.
- Law No. 361-IX on Prevention of Money Laundering.
- State Property Fund of Ukraine.