The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has launched a pilot project for a digital notary system, as announced by Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.

How to obtain a power of attorney in one visit: the Ministry has initiated the “e-Consul” project

The essence of this innovation lies in automating and simplifying the procedure.

Minister Sybiha reminded that previously, to obtain a power of attorney, it was necessary to visit the consulate several times: submit all required documents in paper form, write a handwritten application, agree on the text of the power of attorney with the consul, pay the consular fee (usually at a post office or bank), and then wait for the document to be printed and collected.

Due to the lack of some documents or uncertainty about the text of the power of attorney, people had to return to the institution again, which consumed time and money.

Starting today, July 1, everything can be done remotely, with a visit to the institution required only once – for signing the already prepared document.

How to submit an application online via “e-Consul”

The system works as follows:

• A citizen submits an online application through the “e-Consul” system.
• They upload the required documents and a sample power of attorney.
• The system verifies the provided data, automatically generates the notarial document, and sends a notification to the applicant about its readiness.
• The applicant books an electronic appointment at a convenient time, visits the consulate for personal signing, and immediately receives the completed document.

Where the “e-Consul” service is already available

The pilot project has already been launched in 40 embassies and consulates of Ukraine. This service is available in: Australia, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Botswana, Vietnam, Ghana, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Qatar, Kenya, China, general consulates in Guangzhou and Shanghai, embassies in Congo, Korea, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Kuwait, Latvia, Malaysia, Morocco, Mexico, Mozambique, UAE, Oman, South Africa, Peru, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Thailand, Tunisia, Chile, Japan, as well as in general consulates in Milan, Hamburg, and Gdansk.

According to Andrii Sybiha, the system will save resources for Ukrainians, reduce the workload on consular staff, and represent another step toward creating a service “worthy of a modern European state”.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to expand the digital notary project to all diplomatic institutions of Ukraine after evaluating the results of the pilot phase.