Armenian nationality law is regulated by the Constitution of Armenia, as amended; the Citizenship Law of Armenia and its revisions; and various international agreements to which the country is a signatory. These laws determine who is, or is eligible to be, an Armenian national. The legal means to acquire nationality, formal legal membership in a nation, differ from the domestic relationship of rights and obligations between a national and the nation, known as citizenship. Nationality describes the relationship of an individual to the state under international law, whereas citizenship is the domestic relationship of an individual within the nation. Some countries use the terms nationality and citizenship as synonyms, despite their legal distinction and the fact that they are regulated by different governmental administrative bodies. In Armenia, colloquially the term for citizenship, "քաղաքացիություն", refers to both belonging and rights within the nation and the term for nationality, "ազգություն", refers to ethnic identity. Armenian nationality is typically obtained under the principal of jus sanguinis, i.e. by birth to parents with Armenian nationality. It can be granted to persons with an affiliation to the country, or to a permanent resident who has lived in the country for a given period of time through naturalization.
Acquiring Armenian nationality
Nationality in Armemia is typically acquired by birth to an Armenian or later in life through naturalization.
By birth
Those who can acquire nationality by birth include:
Children born anywhere when both parents are Armenian nationals; Children born to one parent who is Armenian, if the other parent is stateless or unknown; Children born to one parent who is Armenian, but whose other parent has a different nationality, by mutual written agreement of the parents; Children born in the territory of Armenia who would otherwise be stateless; or Foundlings or orphans discovered in Armenia whose parents are unknown.
By naturalization
Naturalization in Armenia may be granted to persons who are of the age of majority (18) and have legal capacity. Persons who have established a permanent residency for at least three years, not requiring a permanent residence permit. A test regarding the political system of Armenian, given in the Armenian language is required to confirm an understanding of the constitution and communication skill. To pass the examination half of the answers must be correct. Persons who are of Armenian origin or the spouses, children, or parents of Armenian nationals are not required to take the language test or meet residency requirements. Besides foreigners meeting the criteria, those who can naturalize include:
Minor children upon request when their parents naturalize; Adult children of Armenian nationals; Adoptees of Armenian nationals upon completion of a legal adoption; The spouse of an Armenian national; The parent of an Armenian national; Persons who previously renounced Armenian nationality and who request repatriation; or Persons who have provided exemplary distinguished service to the nation may naturalize without meeting provisions.
Loss of nationality
Armenian nationals can renounce their nationality as long as the applicant has no active criminal prosecutions pending or legal judgments requiring enforcement, the request would not pose a risk to national security, or there are no outstanding obligations to the nation. Though the Citizenship Act does not require guarantees against statelessness, Decree No. 1552-N of 29 November 2012, required applicants to provide documentation from another nation to the government of Armenia that they have the potential to acquire other nationality. Persons may be denaturalized only in the event that their nationality was acquired fraudulently or under terms specified in international treaties of which Armenia is a signatory.
Dual nationality
Dual nationality has been allowed in Armenia since 2005, as long as the government is notified upon acquisition of additional nationality.