New Changes in ID Card Application Process

Children under 16 years old will have the opportunity to obtain an ID card starting this autumn. Armenia plans to implement a new biometric passport and identification (ID) card system, alongside a new "Law on Personal Identification Documents" that will come into effect.

The new law is also linked to the launch of a new biometric infrastructure this autumn. According to the new regulation, identification cards can be obtained voluntarily for children aged 6 to 16 with parental consent, while it will become mandatory for those aged 16 and older.

Many government services will be built based on the ID card. The main conditions for obtaining the documents include having a passport, as it will now be possible to receive a passport (as an international travel document) only with an identification card.

Validity periods will be as follows: the ID card will be issued with a validity of 5 years, and the passport will be valid for 10 years. The standard cost for the new biometric passport will be 29,850 drams, while the ID card will cost 5,950 drams. Prices for expedited services will be determined later by a private partner.

Citizens are not obligated to replace their old sample passports and ID cards; these will remain valid until their expiration, loss, or damage. If the old passport has valid visas, the citizen can simply carry it alongside the new biometric passport. Additionally, starting this autumn (the exact date will be announced later), old sample documents will no longer be produced.