Foreign citizens married to citizens of the Republic of Armenia can acquire citizenship of the Republic of Armenia through a simplified procedure. However, marriage to a citizen of the Republic of Armenia does not automatically lead to the acquisition of citizenship. The applicant must meet the requirements set forth by the Law on Citizenship of the Republic of Armenia.
The legislation of the Republic of Armenia also provides a separate basis for acquiring citizenship for individuals who have a child or parent who is a citizen of the Republic of Armenia.
Conditions for Obtaining Citizenship of the Republic of Armenia Based on Marriage
According to Article 13 of the Law on Citizenship of the Republic of Armenia, a foreign citizen may apply for citizenship based on marriage if the following conditions are simultaneously met:
- At the time of application, the person has been in a registered marriage with a citizen of the Republic of Armenia for the last two years.
- During those two years, the person has legally resided in the Republic of Armenia for at least 365 days.
Both of these conditions must be met simultaneously to acquire citizenship based on marriage.
Acquisition of Citizenship Based on Having a Citizen Child
The legislation of the Republic of Armenia provides a simplified procedure for acquiring citizenship for foreign citizens who have a child who is a citizen of the Republic of Armenia.
According to Article 13 of the Law on Citizenship of the Republic of Armenia, having a citizen child is an independent basis for submitting an application for citizenship.
Applicants based on this ground are not subject to the general requirements of residing in Armenia for the last three years and the ability to explain in Armenian.
The applicant must provide documents confirming the familial relationship with the child and the child's citizenship of the Republic of Armenia.
Documents Required for Obtaining Citizenship of the Republic of Armenia
Depending on the legal basis for acquiring citizenship and the individual circumstances of the applicant, the following documents may be required:
- Application for citizenship,
- Valid passport of a foreign state,
- Birth certificate,
- Six color photographs sized 35 × 45 mm,
- Marriage certificate,
- Documents confirming the citizenship of the spouse or partner of the Republic of Armenia,
- Documents confirming legal residence in the Republic of Armenia, if required,
- Child's birth certificate and document confirming citizenship of the Republic of Armenia, if the application is submitted on that basis,
- Documents confirming changes in name, surname, or other personal data, if applicable,
- Documents regarding the applicant's parents, if necessary,
- Document confirming payment of state duty.
Documents issued by foreign states may be subject to apostille certification or consular legalization, depending on the country of issuance and applicable international treaties. Documents prepared in a foreign language must be submitted with a certified Armenian translation.
Depending on the circumstances of the case, competent authorities may require additional documents.
Procedure for Submitting an Application for Citizenship of the Republic of Armenia
Starting from January 1, 2026, applications for acquiring citizenship of the Republic of Armenia will be submitted and processed through the official electronic system for citizenship matters. The applicant must provide the necessary information and documents on the relevant electronic platform, as well as submit the original documents in accordance with the established procedure.
The application is reviewed by the competent state authorities of the Republic of Armenia, and citizenship is granted by a decree of the President of the Republic of Armenia.
The legally established general timeframe for reviewing applications for citizenship of the Republic of Armenia is 90 working days after the registration of the application by the competent authority.
Does Marriage to a Citizen of the Republic of Armenia Automatically Lead to Citizenship?
No. Marriage to a citizen of the Republic of Armenia is a possible legal basis for acquiring citizenship, but it does not automatically lead to the acquisition of citizenship.
Even if the legally established conditions are met, the application is subject to review by the competent state authorities.
The application for citizenship may be rejected based on grounds provided by the legislation of the Republic of Armenia, including considerations of state security, public order, and the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.
Does Marriage to a Foreign Citizen Affect Citizenship of the Republic of Armenia?
Marriage of a citizen of the Republic of Armenia to a foreign citizen does not automatically lead to the loss of citizenship of the Republic of Armenia. Similarly, a change in the citizenship of one spouse does not automatically lead to a change in the citizenship of the other spouse.
Each spouse's citizenship issue is regulated by applicable legislation.
Legal Assistance in the Process of Obtaining Citizenship of the Republic of Armenia
The "Ayleks" law firm provides legal consultation and assistance to foreign citizens wishing to obtain citizenship of the Republic of Armenia based on marriage or family ties.
Our services include:
- Assessment of legal grounds and conditions for obtaining citizenship,
- Legal consultation regarding acquiring citizenship of the Republic of Armenia based on marriage,
- Legal assistance in the process of obtaining citizenship based on having a citizen child or parent,
- Preparation and verification of necessary documents,
- Assistance in obtaining civil status registration certificates and other necessary documents,
- Organization of document translation, notarization, apostille certification, and legalization,
- Assistance in preparing and submitting applications for citizenship,
- Representation and communication with competent state authorities within the legally permitted framework,
- Legal consultation and assessment of possible legal remedies in case of rejection of citizenship applications.
Our lawyers examine each case individually, taking into account the personal circumstances of the applicant and the requirements of applicable legislation.
Contact the "Ayleks" law firm for professional legal assistance in the process of obtaining citizenship of the Republic of Armenia based on marriage or family ties.
Note. This article contains general legal information and does not constitute individual legal advice. The possibility of obtaining citizenship and the applicable procedure depend on the individual circumstances of each applicant. Meeting the legally established conditions does not guarantee the approval of the citizenship application.