If the child's parents are citizens of the Republic of Armenia at the time of birth, the child acquires citizenship of the Republic of Armenia, regardless of the place of birth.
Life event
Obtain Citizenship and Residency Status
The following can legally reside in Armenia:
- Citizens of the Republic of Armenia,
- individuals with temporary, permanent, or special residency status,
- stateless persons or refugees who hold the relevant certificates.
Citizenship of the Republic of Armenia can be acquired by ethnic Armenians, individuals with an RA citizen parent, spouses of RA citizens, etc.
To reside in the Republic of Armenia, a person can obtain:
- Temporary residency status, with the right to reside in Armenia for 1 year,
- Permanent residency status, with the right to reside in Armenia for 5 years,
- Special residency status (in the case of being an ethnic Armenian), with the right to reside in Armenia for 10 years.
An individual's rights vary depending on their type of residency status.
How to become a citizen of the Republic of Armenia
Citizenship of the Republic of Armenia can be acquired on a number of grounds, such as:
- being an ethnic Armenian,
- having a child or parent who is an RA citizen,
- permanently residing in the RA for 3 years,
- having a spouse who is an RA citizen,
- restoring former citizenship,
- holding refugee status (including forcibly displaced persons from Nagorno-Karabakh),
- being a stateless person,
- having parents (or one parent) who previously held RA citizenship.
Citizenship by birth
The citizenship of a child born in the Republic of Armenia
If one of the child's parents is a citizen of the Republic of Armenia, and the other parent is a stateless person or their citizenship is unknown, the child still acquires citizenship of the Republic of Armenia.
If one of the child's parents is a citizen of the Republic of Armenia at the time of birth, and the other is a citizen of another country, the child has the right to acquire citizenship of the Republic of Armenia with the written consent of the parents. Moreover, the child can simultaneously hold the citizenship of another country.
In the absence of written consent from the parents, the child acquires citizenship of the Republic of Armenia if:
-
they were born in the Republic of Armenia,
-
they would otherwise become a stateless person if they did not acquire citizenship of the Republic of Armenia (they do not hold the citizenship of another country),
-
they reside in the Republic of Armenia, and the consent of one of the parents is available.
A child born in the Republic of Armenia acquires citizenship of the Republic of Armenia if:
-
the parents are stateless persons,
-
the parents' citizenship is unknown,
-
the parents are citizens of another country (countries), but according to the legislation of that country (countries), they cannot transfer their citizenship to the child,
-
one of the parents is a stateless person, and the other is a citizen of another country and, according to the legislation of that country, cannot transfer their citizenship to the child,
-
one of the parents is a stateless person, and the other's citizenship is unknown,
-
one of the parents' citizenship is unknown, and the other is a citizen of another country and, according to the legislation of that country, cannot transfer their citizenship to the child.
In the cases mentioned above, the child acquires citizenship of the Republic of Armenia based on an application submitted to receive a passport of a citizen of the Republic of Armenia.
If the parents of an ethnically Armenian child are not citizens of the Republic of Armenia, the child can still receive citizenship of the Republic of Armenia from the moment of being registered at an address in the Republic of Armenia.
In this case, the child acquires citizenship of the Republic of Armenia based on an application submitted to receive a passport of a citizen of the Republic of Armenia, which must also be accompanied by the written consent of the parents.
RA Citizens Subject to Military Service
Military Registration
Military service in Armenia is a legal obligation for male citizens and follows specific rules depending on age, citizenship status, health, and prior service history. Requirements begin with early military registration, continue through conscription during defined draft periods, and may extend into reserve training obligations later in life.
Apply physically to undergo military registration in the Republic of Armenia
Learn more
Register for military service from abroad
Learn more
Notifications received from the Military Commissariat
Citizens of the Republic of Armenia subject to military service can check the notifications received from the Military Commissariat electronically.
Check notifications received from the Military Commissariat
Start
The presence of notifications can be checked instantly, and they must be responded to within 5 days.
If the citizen does not appear at the Military Commissariat within 5 days, a paper notification is sent to their registration address via HayPost.
If it is still not possible to notify the citizen through this method, the notification is published on the official notification website, azdarar.am.
In case of failure to appear at the territorial subdivision after being notified, or in case of evading conscription, a criminal case will be initiated, following which the following may be prescribed:
-
detention for a maximum term of 2 months, or
-
imprisonment for a maximum term of 3 years.
Registering a Place of Residence
Registering a place of residence is necessary to enable access to public services, e.g., healthcare, schooling, and banking. Upon obtaining Republic of Armenia (RA) citizenship through any of the specified grounds, applicants must register their place of residence (address registration) within the Republic of Armenia before receiving an RA citizen's passport.
Document Proving Citizenship
Obtaining a Passport
In Armenia, citizenship approval does not automatically generate a passport application. After acquiring RA citizenship on any of the above grounds, it is necessary to apply for a document proving citizenship in order to obtain an RA citizen's passport. The passport enables you to leave and return to the RA and serves as a document confirming the identity of a person within the territory of the RA.
Երկքաղաքացիության թույլատրումը
Dual Citizenship
Armenia recognizes dual citizenship. Below are common questions about the rights, responsibilities, and military service of dual citizens.
A dual citizen of the Republic of Armenia is considered a person who, in addition to being a citizen of the Republic of Armenia, also holds citizenship of another country.
The Republic of Armenia recognizes a dual citizen of the Republic of Armenia as a citizen of the Republic of Armenia only.
A dual citizen has all the rights of a citizen of the Republic of Armenia and bears all the obligations stipulated for a citizen of the Republic of Armenia, except as provided by international treaties of the Republic of Armenia or by law.
Yes. Dual-citizen male citizens are considered the Republic of Armenia conscripts and must perform compulsory military service in the Armed Forces of Armenia. In this case, participation in the citizen's military draft and training is also mandatory.
A dual citizen is exempted from the obligation to serve in the armed forces of the Republic of Armenia if:
- Before obtaining RA citizenship, he served in the armed forces of another state for at least 12 months.
- He underwent at least 18 months of alternative service in another state (an RA citizen whose religious beliefs or convictions contradict the carrying, keeping, or using weapons or undergoing military service, in general, may undergo alternative military service).
Renunciation of RA Citizenship
Termination of RA Citizenship
The grounds for terminating RA citizenship are:
- having citizenship of another country,
- the presence of legal certification regarding the acquisition of another citizenship, in the event of not having another citizenship,
- submitting legal certification regarding the acquisition of another citizenship within a three-month period, in the event of not having another citizenship.
Required documents based on legal basis
The following documents must be submitted based on the respective grounds:
In the case of having citizenship of another country:
- RA passport,
- document certifying foreign citizenship (passport),
- birth certificate,
- supporting document in case of data change (marriage certificate, reference/statement),
- military record book.
In the case of not having another citizenship, but having legal certification for acquiring one:
- RA passport,
- document regarding the legal possibility of acquiring citizenship,
- birth certificate,
- supporting document in case of data change (marriage certificate, reference/statement),
- military record book.
In the case of not having another citizenship, but submitting legal certification for acquiring one within a three-month period:
- RA passport,
- birth certificate,
- supporting document in case of data change (marriage certificate, reference/statement),
- military record book,
- document issued within a three-month period certifying the legal possibility of acquiring citizenship.
Terminate RA Citizenship
Սկսել
Termination of RA Citizenship for a Minor
The grounds for terminating the RA citizenship of a minor are:
- having citizenship of another country,
- the presence of legal certification regarding the acquisition of another citizenship, in the event of not having another citizenship,
- submitting legal certification regarding the acquisition of another citizenship within a three-month period, in the event of not having another citizenship.
Required documents based on the legal basis
In the case of having citizenship of another country:
- Minor's Public Services Number (PSN/SSN),
- Minor's foreign passport,
- Minor's birth certificate,
- Foreign passports of the minor's parents or legal representative,
- Parents' certificates (marriage, death, recognition of paternity, or a statement of being a single mother, or a court decision recognizing a parent as missing or deceased in accordance with the law),
- Written consent of the minor (if 14 years or older) regarding the termination of their RA citizenship,
- Written consent of the other parent regarding the termination of their child's RA citizenship.
In the case of not having another citizenship, but having legal certification for acquiring one:
- Minor's Public Services Number (PSN/SSN),
- Legal certification regarding the acquisition of another state's citizenship,
- Minor's birth certificate,
- Foreign passports of the minor's parents or legal representative,
- Parents' certificates (marriage, death, recognition of paternity, or a statement of being a single mother, or a court decision recognizing a parent as missing or deceased),
- Written consent of the minor (if 14 years or older) regarding the termination of their RA citizenship,
- Written consent of the other parent regarding the termination of their child's RA citizenship.
In the case of not having another citizenship, but submitting legal certification for acquiring one within a three-month period:
- Minor's Public Services Number (PSN/SSN),
- Document certifying the legal possibility of acquiring another citizenship, issued within a three-month period,
- Minor's birth certificate,
- Foreign passports of the minor's parents or legal representative,
- Parents' certificates (marriage, death, recognition of paternity, or a statement of being a single mother, or a court decision recognizing a parent as missing or deceased),
- Written consent of the minor (if 14 years or older) regarding the termination of their RA citizenship,
- Written consent of the other parent regarding the termination of their child's RA citizenship.
Terminate the RA Citizenship of a Minor
Start
Types of Residence Permits
Residency status as a right of residence
- The special residency status allows foreign citizens of Armenian ethnicity to reside in Armenia on a legal basis for a term of 10 years, to purchase and own land, as well as to benefit from other privileges. They cannot participate in elections and are not obliged to serve in the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia.
- The temporary residency status provides foreign citizens with the opportunity to reside in Armenia on a legal basis for a term of 1 year.
- The permanent residency status provides foreign citizens with the opportunity to reside in Armenia on a legal basis for a term of 5 years and to benefit from free healthcare services.
A residence permit in Armenia allows a foreign citizen or stateless person to enter Armenia, reside in the territory of the Republic of Armenia for the period specified in the residence card, and have equal rights to the citizens of the Republic of Armenia.
In the Republic of Armenia, there are three types of residence permits: temporary, permanent, and special.
- Temporary Residence: For short-term stays (e.g., work, study), valid for one year, renewable.
- Permanent Residence: For long-term residency, valid for five years, renewable, for those with deeper business activities or family ties.
- Special Residence: 10-year permit for Armenian descendants or foreigners with significant contributors, with enhanced rights.
A person who obtains a residence permit in the Republic of Armenia has the following rights:
- The right to work
- The right to education
- The right to receive medical care
- The right to social security
- The right to engage in entrepreneurship
- The person is not issued a travel document (visa)
- The person cannot purchase land as his/her own property
- The person cannot participate in national elections
- The person does not serve in the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia
If a person obtains a residence permit in the Republic of Armenia, their family members can also apply for residence permits in the Republic of Armenia.
Special Residence Permits
A special residence permit allows foreigners of Armenian origin and other foreigners engaged in economic or cultural activities in the Republic of Armenia to legally reside in the Republic of Armenia for a period of 10 years with the possibility of extending the status.
Temporary and Permanent Residence Permits
Temporary and permanent residence permits are types of residence rights that allow foreigners to legally reside in the Republic of Armenia for periods of 1 and 5 years, respectively, with the possibility of extending the status.
This guide was prepared by the Information Systems Agency of Armenia and the "Repat Armenia" Foundation.