Conditions for acquiring Armenian citizenship based on marriage have been tightened. From January 6, 2018, the amendments to the RA Law on Citizenship came into force, stating additional conditions for obtaining citizenship of the Republic of Armenia based on the marriage with the citizen of the Republic of Armenia.

Thus, according to the general rule, citizenship of the Republic of Armenia may be awarded to a legally competent (except for cases of obtaining citizenship of the Republic of Armenia as defined by law) and at least 18 years old person, who lives in foreign country or is in the Republic of Armenia on a legally binding basis, if:

1) He has been resident in the Republic of Armenia for the last three years as prescribed by law;

2) Can be expressed in Armenian language;

3) Is familiar with the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia.

In a number of cases, the law outlined exceptions to the general rule. For example, a person who had been married to a citizen of the Republic of Armenia or had a child with Armenian citizenship could receive citizenship of the Republic of Armenia not meeting the requirements referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 above. In other words, the legislator had set a simplified procedure for obtaining citizenship of the Republic of Armenia for persons who had marriage registration with a citizen of the Republic of Armenia, even though the marriage was registered one day ago, In such circumstances, practically widespread fraudulent marriages without family intentions. In addition, non-Armenians were, in fact, enjoying simplified procedure, which, according to the Constitution, were stated for ethnic Armenians. Thus, in order to prevent the practicing of widespread fraudulent marriages and to harmonize the legislation with the Constitution, some changes were made in the “Law on Citizenship” stipulating additional preconditions for obtaining citizenship of the Republic of Armenia on the basis of being married to RA citizens. Accordingly, the citizenship of the Republic of Armenia may be granted a person who until the moment of submission of the application for getting the Citizenship has at least 2 years of registered marriage with Armenian Citizen and has at least 365 days on legal basis has lived in the Republic of Armenia or has a child who is Armenian citizen. The applications are reviewed within a six-month period. In case of rejection of the application, it may be possible to apply again if one year has passed since the date of refusal. For that reason, it is important to submit the application exclusively when you are convinced that the requirements for statutory acquisition of citizenship are fully respected.