Embassy of the United States of America
Yerevan, Armenia

March 11, 2008

Embassy Yerevan Warden Message 8

Warden Message
U.S. Embassy Yerevan
March 11, 2008

Subject: Armenian Dual Citizenship

The U.S. Embassy Yerevan informs U.S. citizens that recent changes to the Armenian legislation permit Armenian citizens to hold dual citizenship. This means, for example, that U.S. citizens who emigrated from Armenia to the U.S. and subsequently acquired U.S. citizenship without explicitly giving up their Armenian citizenship may be able to (re)acquire Armenian citizenship along with all the associated rights and duties, e.g. the right to vote in Armenian elections and/or the duty for certain males to perform military service. The new law also means that dual citizens need to enter and leave Armenia on their Armenian passport, i.e. they would no longer need an Armenian visa.

New, implementing regulations for this change in Armenian law require all dual citizens to register their dual citizenship with Passport and Visa Department of the Police of the Republic of Armenia (formerly OVIR) by April 19, 2008 by simply presenting proof of their other citizenship (e.g. passport). Persons who fail to do so within the deadline must pay a fine. For more information, please consult with Passport and Visa Department of the Police (tel.: +37410-501439) and/or the following website http://www.armeniaforeignministry.am.

The U.S. Embassy Yerevan call U.S. citizens´ attention to the following important information about possible loss of U.S. citizenship for dual nationals and the implications of foreign military service. Please visit "Possible Loss of U.S. Citizenship and Dual Nationality" and "Possible Loss of U.S. Citizenship and Foreign Military Service" at: http://www.travel.state.gov/law/citizenship/citizenship_782.html.

Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the U.S. Embassy´s website http://www.usa.am, and the U.S. Department of State's travel website at http://www.travel.state.gov , where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts can be found. The U.S. Embassy also encourages U.S. citizens to review to "A Safe Trip Abroad," found at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1747.html , which includes valuable security information for those both living and traveling abroad. In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada, or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.

Citizens living and residing in Armenia are advised to register their presence in the country through the U.S. Department of State's automated online registration system, https://travelregistration.state.gov. U.S. citizens may also contact the Consular Section at the U.S. Embassy via e-mail or by calling +374-10-494868. This complete message is available on the Embassy´s website at http://www.usa.am. The U.S. Embassy in Yerevan is located at 1 American Avenue, Yerevan 375082 Armenia. The general Embassy telephone number is (+374-10) 46-47-00, fax: (+374 10) 46-47-42. American Citizens may visit the consular section without an appointment from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm, any business day.