In Ukraine the religious ceremony of marriage has no legal efficacy, but spiritual

This is stated in the official Explanation of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine under the name "Marriage is the fundamental principle of the family", approved on 16 December 2011 and published in the parliamentary basis of legislation of Ukraine, reports the Institute for Religious Freedom.

The document stated that the religious ceremony of marriage happens now everywhere in Ukraine. According to the Ministry of Justice: "The spiritual greatness of the temple or even the smallest church with church singing, crowns on the newly married couple's heads, good farewell words of the priest - all this makes the marriage ceremony the memorable event in the life".

However, the religious ceremony of marriage has no legal efficacy, emphasizing the Ministry of Justice.

"The religious ceremony of marriage, still does not create rights and obligations of the married couple, being a personal matter of woman and man. Persons who live together after the marriage ceremony without marriage registration have the status of the family, but do not have the legal status of the married couple," – noted in the Explanation.

Typically, marriage is registered at the state registration body after one month from the date of applying for marriage registration.

In addition, the Ministry of Justice emphasizes that "only a woman and a man, i.e. persons of the opposite sex can be in the marriage." This requirement is vested in the Article 21 of the Family Code of Ukraine.

According to the Explanation of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, "merely marriage, with only its inherent characteristics, will for certain remain the main legal form of organization of the family life of woman and man and continue to carry out important social functions".