29.07.2008 - Source: Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation

Colour and validity of Armenian passports ("a-6220-1 (ACC-ARM-6220)") [ID 24398]

Document(s): Open document

08.2007 - Source: Country of Return Information Project

Requirements for receiving an Armenian citizen passport ("Country Sheet; Armenia") [ID 21419]

"The Decree No. 821 on approving passport system charter in RA and description of RA citizen passport adopted on December 25, 1998 by RA Government regulates the procedure of giving and changing of RA passport as well as other issues relating to RA passport.
According to this decree the passport of the RA citizen is the principal identity card for RA citizen in RA and abroad. Those 16 and over with the citizenship of RA must have RA passports. RA citizens under 16 should have RA passports in case of exit/entry RA.
In Armenia, RA citizens 16 and over should receive or change the passports and prolong the passport validity time at RA Police Department Passport Offices according to their permanent, temporary or factual residence, and for RA citizens under 16 through Visa Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Abroad, the RA passports are issued, changed or prolonged through RA representatives or consulates.

To receive RA passport RA citizens should present:
􀂾 Passport application,
􀂾 Birth certificate or RA passport for those under 16,
􀂾 Two 35x45 mm colour photos,
􀂾 Certified agreement of parents or lawful representatives (for citizens under16) certified by a notary,
􀂾 Other identity cards if incapable to present required documents mentioned in point “b”,
􀂾 Military attached paper or military card (for conscription).

The RA passport is issued for 10 years. The passport validity date can be prolonged in 5 years. Expired passports are invalid and should be changed according to the established procedure.
RA passport is valid abroad for 5 years. In case of loss, RA citizens should, within 10 days, inform RA Police in Armenia or RA diplomatic representatives and consulates if abroad.
Taking into account the physical developments of the person, the passports of RA citizens should be changed at the ages of 1, 3,7,12 and 16."

Document(s): Open document

08.2007 - Source: Country of Return Information Project

Requirements for refugee passport (identity card) and travel document ("Country Sheet; Armenia") [ID 21420]

"RA Government Decree No. 695 on the procedures for issuance of a refugee identity card and travel document in the RA and their samples, adopted on November 11, 1999 regulates the procedures for giving, replacing and using the Refugee ID’s and travel documents.7
The refugee identification card (ID) is a document that identifies a person in the RA territory.
Refugee travel document is a document that identifies a refugee in a foreign country.
Refugee ID’s card and travel documents are granted in the manner prescribed by RA legislation to foreign citizens and stateless persons 16 and over who have acquired a refugee status8. Refugee ID card is granted or changed by RA Police Department Passport Offices according to permanent, temporary or factual residence.

To receive a Refuge ID card the following documents should be presented:
􀂾 The decision of Migration Agency of Ministry of Territorial Administration9 on granting a refugee status to the person; and the refugee family card (certificate)10 for those who were forcibly displaced to the Republic of Armenia during 1988-1992;
􀂾 Passport;
􀂾 Birth certificate (for people under 16);
􀂾 Two 35x45mm colour photos;
􀂾 Any other documents of identification if the refugee can’t present the documents mentioned under “b” and “c” sub points of this section.

Expiry date - The ID is granted for 3 years. The ID can be prolonged for another 2 years.
The prescribed manners of travel document acquisition:
RA Police Department Passport Offices grant the refugee travel document for 1 year according to the applicants’ permanent, temporary or factual residence. Validity date can be prolonged for another year by diplomatic representatives and consulates, if the person hasn’t lost refugee status. The document is granted within a month after receiving the application.

Documentations to be presented include:
􀂾 An application for leaving Armenia temporarily,
􀂾 Refugee certificate,
􀂾 Two 35x45mm colour photos,
􀂾 A receipt certifying that the state due was paid.

For each child travelling with a refugee the following documents should be presented:
􀂾 Birth certificate,
􀂾 Two 35x45mm colour photos."

Document(s): Open document

08.2007 - Source: Country of Return Information Project

Certificate for Asylum-seekers ("Country Sheet; Armenia") [ID 21421]

"The prescribed manner of granting, changing and using RA temporary asylum certificate is qualified by Government Decree No. 12, 2002 January 9 on approving the manner of temporary asylum certificate granting and certificate description in RA.
Temporary asylum certificate is the identification document of a person having received temporary asylum in RA.
The certificate is being granted by the Migration Agency of Ministry of Territorial Administration."

Document(s): Open document

08.2007 - Source: Country of Return Information Project

Residence card ("Country Sheet; Armenia") [ID 21422]

"RA Government Decree of September 23, 1994, No. 459 on ensuring the enforcement the Act of the status of foreign citizens in the Republic of Armenia states the procedure of receiving residence card for foreign citizens in RA. This order regulates the details concerning issuing and prolonging of RA entry visas for foreign citizens, their resident status and formation of relevant documents, their registration and business activity. Comment: The Act No. 1075 on the status of foreign citizens in the RA, adopted by RA General Assembly on May 25,1994 states that this Act shall also apply to the stateless persons who stay in the territory of the Republic of Armenia, unless otherwise provided for in the legislation of the Republic of Armenia (Section 4). Consequently, the points of the mentioned decree are applicable for stateless persons as well."

Document(s): Open document

04.08.2004 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Plans to introduce identity cards postponed because of street protests, complaints and public renunciation of the documents; the scheme will now be introduced only at the start of 2005, not July 1 this year as had been intended ("Armenian Identity Crisis") [#24511],  [ID 2957]

Document(s): Open document

16.09.2003 - Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Law on Citizenship and a subsequent governmental decision require that every citizen be issued a passport when he or she reaches the age of 16 ("Background information; situation of ethnic minorities; groups possibly at risk: religious minorities, members of opposition, homosexuals, deserters") [#47207],  [ID 2958]

"85. The Constitution provides the rights to freedom of movement. There are no restrictions on internal movements and citizens have the right to change their residence or workplace freely. However, men of military service age must overcome substantial bureaucratic complications to be deregistered from one place and to be registered at another place in order to change the residence within the country.
86. The Law on Citizenship and a subsequent governmental decision require that every citizen be issued a passport when he or she reaches the age of 16. When a citizen is suspected, accused, or convicted for crimes, the law enforcement bodies or courts seize his or her passport to prevent the person from leaving the territory of the Republic of Armenia. The passport will be returned when the person is released. RA citizens who wish to travel abroad need a stamp on their passports as an exit permit. An exit stamp is valid for up to five years and may be used as many times as an individual chooses to travel. An exit stamp may be denied to those persons who possess state secrets, to those subject to military service, to those who have financial obligations towards other citizens as decided by the court."

Document(s): Open document

31.03.2003 - Source: US Department of State

Issuance of passports ("Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2002") [#11840],  [ID 2959]

"The Constitution and laws require that passports be issued to all citizens except convicted felons; however, in cases of permanent residents who wish to relocate abroad permanently, an exit stamp may be denied to those persons who possess state secrets, to those subject to military service, to those who are involved in pending court cases, and to those whose relatives have lodged financial claims against them. An exit stamp is valid for up to five years and may be used as many times as an individual chooses to travel. Men of military age must overcome substantial bureaucratic obstacles to travel abroad."

Document(s): Open document