If a person is in a country where there is no Armenian embassy or consular institution, or in a remote location where it is difficult or impossible to reach the nearest Armenian embassy, they can apply for the return certificate through video call.

To receive the return certificate via video call, the person must first submit an application by email to the relevant embassy or the consular department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia. The application form must be completed and sent to the embassy's email address or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' email address at [email protected].

Within two days, an embassy or department staff member will send an email offering a date and time for the video call, along with information on the required technical conditions and documents.

Required documents

Following documents must be submitted to the relevant embassy:

• Application form
• Two 35x45 mm size photos
• Payment receipt for the state fee

If available, it is also recommended to provide:

• A copy of the expired, damaged, lost, or stolen Armenian passport or travel document (for Armenian citizens, or for refugees or stateless individuals, the passport issued by Armenia)
• A certificate from the local police or other relevant authority confirming the loss or theft of the passport, or the loss of the passport due to robbery, crime, disaster, or other causes.

Payment Amount and Procedure

The fee for obtaining the return certificate via video call is 45,000 AMD. Payment must be made online.

It is also necessary to pay for individual postal delivery. The delivery fee may vary depending on the country. The postal delivery payment must also be made online.

Delivery Period and Procedure

The return certificate will be provided within 1 working day.

After identifying the person via video call, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia will send the original return certificate by postal delivery to the address in the foreign country provided by the applicant.

Cases when the return certificate is provided free of charge

The return certificate is provided free of charge for:

• Armenian citizens who have never received an Armenian passport
• Armenian citizens who are under 16 or over 63 years old
• Armenian citizens who are subject to deportation from a foreign country
• Individuals who have applied for an Armenian passport but have not yet received it
• Armenian citizens who are leaving Armenia for compulsory military service, training camps, or mobilization
• Armenian citizens who are members of a large family (families with 4 or more minor children)
• Armenian citizens with first or second group disability
• Armenian citizens who are leaving or relocating from Armenia based on court decisions or other competent authorities' decisions
• Armenian citizens released from prison in foreign countries
• Individuals who have lost their Armenian passport due to theft, crime, natural or man-made disasters, political unrest, or war, if they can provide a document confirming this or if it is a widely known fact
• Armenian citizens who are in an emergency situation in their country of permanent residence that threatens their life or health

Reference to Legislation

Government Decision No. 297-N of March 24, 2011

The decision can be found at arlis.am.