Armenia is a safe, beautiful mountainous country of approximately three million people. So, there's no wonder why a person of Armenian descent born elsewhere would want to obtain Armenian citizenship and a second passport.
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For Armenian descendants, the thing that holds many people back, as usual, is the legal process. At Malakouti Law, we specialize in helping people through their citizenship or residency process.
Assessing eligibility, gathering the right paperwork, and preparing the application can be daunting. Some lose patience and never proceed. To provide some clarity (and hopefully inspiration) for those who might qualify, we've compiled everything you need to know about obtaining Armenian citizenship through descent.
General Requirements for Armenian Citizenship
Did you know that ethnic Armenians are eligible for citizenship without having to meet residency or language requirements?
By contrast, applicants who are not ethnic Armenians, and want to obtain Armenian citizenship must meet the following requirements:
● You must be at least 18 years of age or older to apply.
● Maintaining an Armenian residence for a minimum of three years
● An understanding of Armenian
● Knowledge of the Constitution of Armenia
Armenian Citizenship by Descent Requirements & Process
However, if you are an ethnic Armenian, the process can be much simpler with the right guidance. According to the law, any ethnic Armenian, the spouse of an Armenian citizen, or children of former Armenian citizens can easily apply to become a citizen.
Ethnic Armenians applying for Armenian citizenship need to supply the following documents:
1. Citizenship Application
2. Citizenship Questionnaire
3. Passport
4. 6 color photos of 35x45mm in size
5. Birth certificate
6. One of the documents of proof of Armenian nationality
An Armenian citizenship by descent application can be submitted in person either at a consulate in your home country, or in Yerevan, Armenia. If your application is approved, Armenian citizenship is granted once a decree from the President of the Republic of Armenia has been created.
Beautiful Yerevan, Armenia
If you have Armenian ancestry and can provide proof, obtaining citizenship through descent is an option worth considering if your goal is to increase freedom of movement and residency. In our experience, applicants tend to underestimate the difficulty and time involved in obtaining documentation and assessing their eligibility. Once those steps have been completed, the Armenian citizenship application process can take several months.
The most significant challenge in the process is gathering the necessary documentation to confirm your ancestry.
Proof of Armenian Heritage
To apply for Armenian citizenship through descent, you will need to provide a document that verifies your Armenian heritage. This can be a birth certificate or other government-issued document that indicates your ethnicity or that of your parent, grandparent, or siblings. Sometimes, applicants must be creative (but always honest) in finding documentation to prove Armenian heritage.
In certain countries, ethnic background may be specified on official documents such as birth certificates or family records. The birth certificate must be certified with an apostille and translated into the Armenian language.
Another way to prove Armenian ethnicity is to present a baptism certificate from a church organization that confirms your heritage. In this case, the document is authenticated by the Armenian embassy or consulate in the country where it was issued.
Consult with Malakouti Law
Book a consultation with Malakouti Law if you're interested in obtaining Armenian citizenship by descent and would like more information or guidance through the process, don't hesitate to contact us.
We can provide you with personalized advice and help you navigate the process, from the very first steps of evaluating your eligibility, all the way to preparation and submission of the application. Reach out to us today and take the first step toward obtaining Armenian citizenship.
Benefits of Armenian Citizenship
Armenian citizenship offers many benefits, such as access to investment opportunities in the country and visa-free travel to many destinations that are not as easily accessible to citizens of the United States, and other western countries. Compared to citizenship by investment, Armenian citizenship by descent can be extremely cost effective.
Holding an Armenian passport opens up a world of possibilities for visa-free travel, with access to 65 countries. Included in that list are Russia, China, Iran and Uzbekistan - countries that western citizens have limited visa-free access to.
So, aside from visa-free travel to many destinations, what's the benefit of holding an Armenian passport?
Perhaps the greatest benefit is that obtaining dual citizenship in Armenia can serve as a valuable Plan B, that so many Americans are pursuing since the start of the pandemic. Having a second citizenship and passport gives you options during periods of economic turmoil in your home country. Second citizenship can also be a priceless asset if your current passport is expired, lost, or confiscated or if you decide to renounce your current nationality.
Moreover, Armenian citizenship can be passed to future generations and can be renounced at any time. This makes it a flexible and valuable option for those who want to broaden their travel horizons or plan for potential future needs.
Republic Square in Yerevan, Armenia
The Benefits & Obligations of Dual Citizenship as an American
Naturally, if you’re considering becoming a dual citizen, you likely have lots of questions about exactly what it means to be a dual citizen. To answer these general questions, we’ve compiled a list of the 101 most frequently asked questions about dual citizenship that we see at Malakouti Law.
Remember, your particular situation must be evaluated individually in order to have more certainty about how dual citizenship could benefit you or obligate you.
The information in this page could become outdated. Each immigration and citizenship case is particular and you should consult with a qualified, licensed immigration lawyer about your case before taking any steps. The Law Office of Parviz Malakouti does not guarantee the accuracy of information presented nor assume responsibility for actions taken in reliance of this information.