Nationality of Armenia: all obtaining pathways
Armenia requires three years of legal residence for ordinary naturalization; marriage to an Armenian citizen opens it after two years of union with permanent residency. The Armenian diaspora has a citizenship-by-origin pathway, and birth citizenship is transmitted by ius sanguinis.
1Naturalization by residence
Naturalization by residence
Requirements
- 18 years of age and full legal capacity (art. 13(1))
- Permanent residence in the Republic of Armenia for the last 3 years as prescribed by law (art. 13(1)(1))
- Ability to express oneself in Armenian (art. 13(1)(2))
- Familiarity with the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia (art. 13(1)(3))
- Dual nationality is permitted: acquiring another citizenship does not extinguish Armenian citizenship and requires no renunciation (Citizenship Law, art. 9)
Documentation
- Application to the Police of Armenia
- 3-year permanent residence certificate
- Armenian language command certificate
- Constitution knowledge certificate
- Criminal record certificate
- Declaration renouncing the previous citizenship
- Valid passport
- Birth certificate
2Naturalization through marriage
Naturalization through marriage
Requirements
- Married to a citizen of the Republic of Armenia OR having a child who is an Armenian citizen (art. 13(2)(1))
- WAIVES both the 3-year permanent residence and the Armenian-language requirement (art. 13(2): "without satisfying the requirements prescribed in points 1 and 2")
- Knowledge of the Constitution still required
- Other simplified routes: parents formerly Armenian citizens or born in Armenia (apply within 3 years of turning 18), Armenian origin, or former citizens who renounced after 1 Jan 1995
Documentation
- Marriage certificate
- Passport of the Armenian spouse
- Permanent residence certificate
- Armenian language command certificate
- Criminal record certificate
3Citizenship by birth (ius sanguinis)
Citizenship by birth (ius sanguinis)
Requirements
- At least one parent is an Armenian citizen
- Born in Armenia to stateless parents
- Citizenship is transmitted with no generational limit
- Children of Armenian citizens born abroad acquire the citizenship at birth
Documentation
- Birth certificate
- Parents' passports
- Proof of the parents' Armenian citizenship
4Citizenship by origin (Armenian diaspora)
Citizenship by origin (Armenian diaspora)
Requirements
- Person of Armenian origin (belonging to the Armenian people)
- No residence period is required
- Command of the Armenian language
- Armenia allows dual citizenship
Documentation
- Proof of Armenian origin
- Birth certificate
- Documents proving belonging to the Armenian people
- Armenian language command certificate
Frequently asked questions about the nationality of Armenia
How many years of residence does Armenia require to naturalize?
According to the main pathway of Armenia (Naturalization by residence), the term is 3 years of permanent residence in Armenia before applying (art. 13(1)(1)). The complete details of requirements and exceptions appear in the fact sheet.
Does Armenia allow dual nationality?
Dual nationality is permitted: acquiring another citizenship does not extinguish Armenian citizenship and requires no renunciation (Citizenship Law, art. 9)
Can the nationality of Armenia be obtained by marriage?
Yes, through the Naturalization through marriage pathway (No residence or language requirement: married to an Armenian citizen OR parent of an Armenian-citizen child (art. 13(2)(1))). The complete requirements appear in the fact sheet of that pathway.
What documentation does naturalization in Armenia require?
The Naturalization by residence pathway requires: Application to the Police of Armenia; 3-year permanent residence certificate; Armenian language command certificate; Constitution knowledge certificate; Criminal record certificate; among 3 more documents.
What pathways exist to obtain the nationality of Armenia?
Armenia provides 4 pathways: Naturalization by residence, Naturalization through marriage, Citizenship by birth, Citizenship by origin.
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