Armenian government will make ID cards mandatory for citizens aged 16 and older
23.04.2026,
14:37
ID cards will become mandatory in Armenia for citizens aged 16 and older, as part of a package of bills approved by the government on Thursday.
YEREVAN, April 23. /ARKA/. ID cards will become mandatory in Armenia for citizens aged 16 and older, as part of a package of bills approved by the government on Thursday.
The Cabinet of Ministers approved amendments to the Law "On Identity Documents," a package of related laws, and a decision recognizing them as urgent.
As stated by RA Minister of Internal Affairs Arpine Sargsyan, this will create a unified legislative framework for the implementation of the new biometric system.
According to her, all regulations governing this area are planned to be consolidated in a single law.
"The single law will contain all legal norms that will allow the authorized body to comprehensively regulate all issues," the minister said.
Sargsyan announced that having an ID card will be mandatory for individuals aged 16 and older, and that only those with one will be able to obtain a biometric passport.
Children aged 6 to 16 will be able to obtain an ID card on a voluntary basis, while for children under 6, a birth certificate will remain the official identification document.
The minister also stated that all travel documents will be brought into compliance with the ICAO 9303 standard.
According to her, all documents for foreigners, refugees, and stateless persons will be biometric.
"There are also plans to legislatively regulate the relationship between the state and the private partner as part of the implementation of the biometric system," Sargsyan noted.
On the implementation of the biometric system
In August 2024, the Armenian government decided to issue new ID cards and biometric passports to citizens.
The French consortium IDEMIA Identity Security France and A.C.I. Technology S.à.r.l., which won the tender, is developing the necessary infrastructure.
In April 2025, Armenia signed an agreement with HAYPASS, a company created by this consortium. It will implement the biometric passport and ID card system in the country.
The design of the biometric ID cards, including background art, security features, and data fields, was also approved. According to the schedule, their issuance will begin in the second half of 2026.
The implementation of the biometric system, including the issuance of new biometric passports and ID cards, is the first step in Armenia's planned reforms as part of its Visa Liberalization Action Plan with the EU.
The Cabinet of Ministers approved amendments to the Law "On Identity Documents," a package of related laws, and a decision recognizing them as urgent.
As stated by RA Minister of Internal Affairs Arpine Sargsyan, this will create a unified legislative framework for the implementation of the new biometric system.
According to her, all regulations governing this area are planned to be consolidated in a single law.
"The single law will contain all legal norms that will allow the authorized body to comprehensively regulate all issues," the minister said.
Sargsyan announced that having an ID card will be mandatory for individuals aged 16 and older, and that only those with one will be able to obtain a biometric passport.
Children aged 6 to 16 will be able to obtain an ID card on a voluntary basis, while for children under 6, a birth certificate will remain the official identification document.
The minister also stated that all travel documents will be brought into compliance with the ICAO 9303 standard.
According to her, all documents for foreigners, refugees, and stateless persons will be biometric.
"There are also plans to legislatively regulate the relationship between the state and the private partner as part of the implementation of the biometric system," Sargsyan noted.
On the implementation of the biometric system
In August 2024, the Armenian government decided to issue new ID cards and biometric passports to citizens.
The French consortium IDEMIA Identity Security France and A.C.I. Technology S.à.r.l., which won the tender, is developing the necessary infrastructure.
In April 2025, Armenia signed an agreement with HAYPASS, a company created by this consortium. It will implement the biometric passport and ID card system in the country.
The design of the biometric ID cards, including background art, security features, and data fields, was also approved. According to the schedule, their issuance will begin in the second half of 2026.
The implementation of the biometric system, including the issuance of new biometric passports and ID cards, is the first step in Armenia's planned reforms as part of its Visa Liberalization Action Plan with the EU.
