Renouncing Armenian citizenship is a formal legal procedure through which an individual applies to the competent state authorities to terminate their citizenship of the Republic of Armenia. Individuals may choose to renounce Armenian citizenship for various reasons, including acquiring the citizenship of another country, permanently relocating abroad, personal or family circumstances, or changes in their legal status.
Matters relating to the acquisition and termination of Armenian citizenship are governed by the Law of the Republic of Armenia “On Citizenship”, as well as Government Decision No. 97-N of 22 January 2026.
Grounds for Termination of Armenian Citizenship
Armenian citizenship may be terminated on the following grounds:
- acquisition of another citizenship in accordance with the applicable legal procedure;
- deprivation of Armenian citizenship in cases prescribed by law;
- other grounds provided for under international treaties of the Republic of Armenia.
Does Acquiring Another Citizenship Automatically Terminate Armenian Citizenship?
No. Acquiring the citizenship of another country or expressing the intention to renounce Armenian citizenship does not automatically result in the loss of Armenian citizenship.
Armenian citizenship is terminated only upon the issuance of a Decree of the President of the Republic of Armenia. Until such decree enters into force, the individual remains an Armenian citizen with all corresponding rights and obligations.
Procedure for Applying to Renounce Armenian Citizenship
An application for the termination of Armenian citizenship, together with the supporting documents required by law, must be submitted in person:
- to the Passport and Visa Department of the Police of the Republic of Armenia if the applicant is in Armenia; or
- to an Embassy or Consular Office of the Republic of Armenia if the applicant resides abroad.
As of 1 January 2026, applications for acquiring or terminating Armenian citizenship, document verification, case processing, and appointments for submitting original documents are carried out exclusively through the MCS Citizenship electronic case management system (mcs-citizenship.am).
Documents Required to Renounce Armenian Citizenship
The applicant must generally submit the following documents:
- Completed application form (questionnaire);
- Valid passport and a copy thereof;
- Birth certificate and a copy thereof;
- Six recent colour photographs (35 × 45 mm);
- Marriage certificate and a copy thereof (if applicable);
- Birth certificate(s) of the applicant’s child(ren) and copies thereof (if applicable);
- Military service record book (for persons subject to military registration);
- Proof of payment of the prescribed state duty;
- If the applicant already holds another citizenship, a valid passport issued by the competent authority of that country together with a duly notarized Armenian translation;
- If the applicant does not yet hold another citizenship, written confirmation issued by the competent authority of the relevant foreign state confirming the applicant’s legal eligibility to acquire that country’s citizenship, together with a duly notarized Armenian translation.
State Duty
Pursuant to Article 13 of the Law of the Republic of Armenia “On State Duty,” the state duty payable for the termination (renunciation) of Armenian citizenship is AMD 150,000.
Legal Implications of Renouncing Armenian Citizenship
Once the Presidential Decree terminating Armenian citizenship enters into force, the individual’s Armenian passport and national identification card cease to be valid.
Following the termination of citizenship, the individual is no longer considered a citizen of the Republic of Armenia and no longer enjoys the constitutional and statutory rights reserved exclusively for Armenian citizens.
In particular, the individual:
- is no longer entitled to vote in Armenian elections or referendums;
- cannot be elected or appointed to public offices for which Armenian citizenship is a legal requirement;
- loses political rights reserved exclusively for Armenian citizens.
If the individual does not have another lawful basis for residing in Armenia (for example, a residence permit), their stay in Armenia will thereafter be governed by the legislation applicable to foreign nationals. Depending on the person’s new nationality and the applicable immigration regime, they may be required to obtain a visa or residence status to remain in Armenia.
The termination of Armenian citizenship may also affect military registration and military service obligations. However, the legal consequences depend on the individual’s specific circumstances, including their age, military status, and whether any obligations had already arisen before citizenship was terminated.
Conclusion
Before deciding to renounce Armenian citizenship, individuals should carefully assess the legal, tax, immigration, inheritance, property ownership, and cross-border implications of doing so, particularly if they continue to own property, operate a business, or maintain other legal interests in Armenia.
As each case is unique and may involve important legal considerations, obtaining professional legal advice before initiating the renunciation process is strongly recommended.
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Armenian laws and administrative practices may change, and the application of the law depends on the specific circumstances of each case. Readers are encouraged to seek professional legal advice before making any decisions based on the information contained in this publication.