Children’s Citizenship in Armenia in 2026: Born in Armenia, but Parents Are Foreigners

Short Answer

Being born in Armenia does not automatically grant citizenship to children of foreigners. Birth in Armenia is not an independent basis: citizenship by birth is determined by Articles 11 and 12 of the law, namely by the citizenship of the parents and several special cases. A child becomes a citizen if one of the conditions in the table below applies. For children born in Armenia to foreigners, the key question is often whether the child will remain stateless.

The rules are set out in Articles 11, 12, 12.1, 16–20 of the Law on Citizenship.

When a Child Acquires Citizenship

Birth on board an Armenian vessel or aircraft is regarded as birth in Armenia (Article 12 part 3).

A Child of Foreigners Born in Armenia

This is the most common situation for expatriates. The rule is:

• if both parents are foreigners and the law of each parental country confers citizenship on the child, none of the cases under Article 12 apply: the child acquires the citizenship of the parents, not Armenian citizenship by birth;
• if by the law of the parents’ country the child does not acquire citizenship, Armenian citizenship arises under Article 12 part 1 points 3–6.

To determine your case, you must check the citizenship law of the parents' country. Armenian law does not define this. If uncertain, contact your country’s consulate. Until the child’s citizenship status is clarified, also check their right to residence: see “Residence Permits for Children”.

Parent Acquires Armenian Citizenship

This is the second most common path. According to Article 16 of the Law on Citizenship:

1. If both parents acquire citizenship, their child acquires it with them.
2. If only one parent acquires citizenship and the other is a foreigner or stateless, the child acquires citizenship if any of the following apply:
   • there is written consent from both parents;
   • the child resides in Armenia and one parent consents;
   • the child would otherwise become stateless without Armenian citizenship.
3. A child aged 14 to 18 must also give their own written consent (Article 16 part 4).
4. A child of foreigners who acquire citizenship receives it regardless of having another citizenship. This is formalized by applying for a passport of an RA citizen (Article 16 part 3).

In this case, the law specifies that the basis is the application for an RA citizen's passport. For details on parental application, see “By Residence”.

One Parent is an Armenian Citizen

If at birth one parent is a citizen and the other is a foreigner, the child has the right to acquire Armenian citizenship (Article 11 part 3). Written consent of both parents is required. If consent is not given, the child acquires citizenship:

• if born in Armenia, or
• if otherwise would become stateless, or
• if living in Armenia and one parent consents.

Having another citizenship does not prevent acquiring Armenian citizenship. The law expressly states this. For more on dual citizenship, see “Dual Citizenship”.

Child of Armenian Ethnicity

For children of Armenian ethnicity whose parents are not Armenian citizens, a simplified procedure applies (Article 12.1). The child is entitled to acquire citizenship as soon as they reside and are registered at an address in Armenia. Citizenship is acquired on the basis of an application for an RA citizen's passport with written parental consent attached.

Adoption and Guardianship

A child adopted by Armenian citizens acquires Armenian citizenship (Article 18). If one adopter is a foreigner and the other is a citizen of Armenia, one of the following is needed: consent of the adopters, the child’s residence in Armenia with the consent of the Armenian-citizen adopter, or risk of statelessness.

A child who already holds Armenian citizenship who is adopted by foreigners retains it. It can be changed only on the application of the adopters, and only if the child has or will have another citizenship (Article 19). A child under guardianship of Armenian citizens retains citizenship even if their parents withdraw from Armenian citizenship (Article 21).

Documents for a Child

An Armenian passport for a child aged 6–16 is issued for 5 years, an ID card is optional (according to MCS of the Ministry of Internal Affairs). Until age 16, the law allows not to require proof of citizenship if a birth certificate and parents’ documents confirming their citizenship are provided (Article 4). For details on applying for a passport, see “Citizen's Passport”.

If parental consent cannot be given in person, the signature must be notarized as prescribed by law (Article 29).

If a Parent Loses Citizenship

A child of parents who lose Armenian citizenship also loses it only if the child has or acquires another citizenship (Article 17). If only one parent loses citizenship, the parents' consent is also required or, in case the child lives abroad, the consent of the Armenian-citizen parent. Withdrawal of a child from citizenship is processed by parental application, with written consent from the child age 14 to 18.

When the Child Grows Up and Applies Independently

If the child did not acquire citizenship under the above rules, after turning 18, they can apply independently under the general procedure (Article 13). For children of citizens, there are simplified grounds as set out on the MCS portal:

• the applicant’s parent or child is a citizen of Armenia; in this case, length of residence is not required;
• the applicant’s parents (or one of them) were previously citizens of Armenia and the applicant has resided legally in the country for the past 1 year.

See “Grounds” for more details on these grounds.

What Parents Should Do in Practice

1. Find out which citizenship is conferred on the child under the law of each parent’s country.
2. Determine whether the child qualifies under Articles 11, 12, or 16 of the Law on Citizenship.
3. If parental consents are needed, prepare the written consents. If one parent is abroad, have the signature notarized.
4. For a child aged 14–18, obtain their written consent.
5. Apply for a passport: this is the main way to formalize citizenship.