Armenians Can Change Their Names More Easily and Quickly

Citizens of Armenia will soon have the opportunity to change their names in passports in a shorter period of time, without having to apply to various state bodies and wait for responses for days. This decision was made today during a regular meeting of the Armenian government.

With the government-initiated amendments to the law on Civil Status Acts, the provision that required citizens to submit their applications for name changes only to the civil status registration (CSD) territorial bodies at their permanent residence or place of birth is proposed to be annulled. The proposed amendment will allow citizens to apply to any CSD body.

Additionally, citizens will be relieved of the obligation to fill out applications. CSD employees will complete the applications on their behalf in the electronic system.

“The electronic registry already facilitates the rapid and electronic acquisition of the necessary documents for name changes; therefore, the timelines for providing the service also require reassessment,” states the legislative initiative presented by the Ministry of Justice of Armenia.

The draft was adopted without discussion, unanimously. It will be discussed in the National Assembly shortly.