When a Damaged Passport Can Be Replaced by the Digital Version in 'Diia'

The Digital Passport in the 'Diia' App

According to ХВИЛЯ: The digital passport available in Ukraine's 'Diia' app provides citizens with a fully legal alternative to a damaged or invalid physical passport. This digital document holds the same legal authority as its traditional counterpart. Experts from the 'Legal Advisor for IDPs' project clarify the circumstances under which a passport becomes void and outline the steps owners should take.

When is a Passport Automatically Invalidated?

A passport is automatically annulled in several specific situations:

• if the individual loses their citizenship;
• if a report of the document's theft has been filed;
• if violations are discovered during its original issuance;
• if the owner fails to collect it within one year;
• in the event of the person's death.

State bodies, local authorities, and most institutions are legally required to accept the digital passport as equal to a physical one. This initiative is part of Ukraine's broader digital transformation, which has accelerated significantly in recent years.

Reasons a Passport May Be Deemed Invalid

There are several reasons why a passport might be declared invalid. These include:

• significant mechanical damage that hinders the recognition of the photo or personal details;
• compromised integrity of the document's series and number, including damage to the perforation;
• any unauthorized alterations, such as corrections, additions, or extraneous marks;
• technical defects that prevent machine or visual data reading;
• damage to the electronic component of an ID card, including malfunctions of the contactless chip.

If you encounter problems with your physical passport, the digital version in the 'Diia' app can serve as a full replacement. This solution simplifies identity verification and helps avoid the additional difficulties associated with restoring traditional documents.

The introduction of the digital passport in Ukraine marks a significant step in the government's service digitization efforts. It not only facilitates access to essential documents but also enhances security by reducing the risks of loss or theft associated with physical papers. In the context of contemporary challenges like war and forced displacement, having such a tool is particularly vital for citizens who may face difficulties using traditional documents.