Changes to Armenian identity documents from November 2026

According to statements by officials reported by Armenpress, a new Law "On Identification Documents" enters into force in Armenia on 1 November 2026, and issuance of new-format biometric passports and ID cards begins. Below is what is known as of 24 October 2026. Many details are so far known only from press statements and still need confirmation.

Passport

Under the current (old) procedure published by the Migration Service:

• the passport duty is AMD 1,000;
• it is issued on the 5th working day (the 10th if the previous passport was lost);
• citizens aged 16 and over apply in person.

Announced parameters of the new system (Armenpress, citing the head of the Migration Service):

• the duty for a new biometric passport is AMD 28,650;
• processing takes 14 working days; expedited options will be announced later;
• the new passport will be issued to citizens who hold an ID card;
• replacing a valid old-format passport is not mandatory.

ID card

Currently the ID card is issued to citizens from age 16, is valid for 10 years, costs AMD 3,000 and is issued on the 15th working day.

Announced parameters of the new system:

• the duty for a new-format ID card is AMD 5,950;
• validity is 5 years;
• the ID card becomes mandatory from age 16, and optional for children under 16 at a parent's request;
• processing takes 14 working days.

The date from which the ID card becomes mandatory and any transitional deadlines have not yet been confirmed.

Where to apply

The Ministry of Internal Affairs remains the regulator. In the first phase, new documents will be processed at 14 offices run by the private operator HAYPASS (a joint venture of IDEMIA and A.C.I. Technology) under a public-private partnership. The booking procedure after launch is still to be confirmed.

Abroad

Since 5 October 2026, issuing and replacing passports through Armenian embassies and consulates has been temporarily suspended. Resumption is planned about three months after the system launches in Armenia; consulates will then also accept ID card applications.

What to do now

• If your passport is valid, there is no urgent need to replace it.
• If you need a document by a specific date, allow extra time: delays are possible in the first weeks of the new system.
• After 1 November 2026, check current fees, document lists and office addresses at migration.mia.gov.am.

We are a private company and are not affiliated with HAYPASS or any government authority. This guide is for information only; rely on official sources.