Update
January 10, 2024

Information for U.S. Citizens in the Middle East

International Parental Child Abduction

English

Country Information

Armenia

Armenia
Republic of Armenia
Exercise increased caution in Armenia due to areas of armed conflict. Some areas have increased risk.  Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed and “Do Not Travel”  areas updated.

Exercise increased caution in Armenia due to areas of armed conflict. Some areas have increased risk.  Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Do Not Travel To:

  • The border region with Azerbaijan.
  • The Nagorno-Karabakh region and surrounding territories due to recent hostilities.

Following the September 13-15, 2022 military actions along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, including reports of shelling inside Armenia, U.S. Embassy employees and their families were prohibited from any non-essential travel to select areas along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border.  Following a June 2023 review of current threat levels, the U.S. Embassy has eased select travel restrictions. U.S. Embassy Employees and their families remain prohibited from any non-essential travel to the following areas:

  • Tavush region eastward of Varagavan on the H37 roadway.
  • Tavush region eastward of Navur on the H36 roadway.
  • Gegharkunik region east of Vardenis.
  • Travel through Yeraskh village in Ararat region is allowed, stopping is not.
  • Travel to Jermuk, past Getik in Vayots Dzor region via H42 and H43 roads.  
  • Syunik region.
  • Nagorno-Karabakh.

Country Summary:

Until September 2020, the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh and seven other territories internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan were under Armenian-control.  In connection with seven weeks of armed hostilities over Nagorno-Karabakh in the fall of 2020, Azerbaijan took control over the seven territories, as well as parts of Nagorno-Karabakh.  While the November 2020 ceasefire arrangement has largely held, military actions along the border occur on a regular basis.  From September 13-15, 2022 military actions took place along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, which included damage to Armenian towns near the border.   

Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Armenia.

If you decide to travel to Armenia:

Border with Azerbaijan – Level 4: Do Not Travel

There is the potential for armed conflict near the Armenia-Azerbaijan border. U.S. citizens should avoid the area. Exercise caution on roads near Armenia’s border with Azerbaijan. Be aware that some portions of the road may cross international boundaries without notice. Roads may be controlled by checkpoints or closed to travelers without notice.  The U.S. embassy has prohibited embassy employees and their families from non-essential travel to the border region, as well as other areas of Armenia listed above.

Nagorno-Karabakh – Level 4: Do Not Travel

The U.S. government is unable to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in and around Nagorno-Karabakh due to landmine contamination and restricted access.

... [READ MORE]

Hague Convention Participation

Party to the Hague Abduction Convention?
Yes
U.S. Treaty Partner under the Hague Abduction Convention?
Yes

What You Can Do

Learn how to respond to abductions FROM the US
Learn how to respond to abductions TO the US

Embassies and Consulates

U.S. Embassy Yerevan

1 American Avenue
Yerevan 0082, Republic of Armenia
Telephone: +(374) 10-464-700
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(374) 10-494-444 and during
business hours (M-F 9:00am-5:30pm) +(374) 10-494-585
Fax: +(374) 10-464-742
Email: ACSyerevan@state.gov

General Information

Armenia and the United States have been treaty partners under the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (Hague Abduction Convention) since March 1, 2018.

For information concerning travel to Armenia, including information about the location of the U.S. Embassy, the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, entry/exit requirements, safety and security, crime, medical facilities and health information, traffic safety, road conditions and aviation safety, please see country information page for Armenia. 

The U.S. Department of State reports statistics and compliance information for individual countries in the Annual Report on International Child Abduction. The report is located here

 

Hague Abduction Convention

The U.S. Department of State serves as the U.S. Central Authority (USCA) for the Hague Abduction Convention. In this capacity, the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, Directorate for Overseas Citizens Services, Office of Children’s Issues facilitates the submission of applications under the Hague Abduction Convention for the return of, or access to, children located in countries that are U.S. treaty partners, including Armenia. Parents are strongly encouraged to contact the Department of State for assistance prior to initiating the Hague process directly with the foreign Central Authority.

Contact information:

United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Office of Children’s Issues
2201 C Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20520
Telephone: 1-888-407-4747
Outside the United States or Canada: 1-202-501-4444
Fax: 202-485-6221
Website

The Armenian Central Authority (ACA) for the Hague Abduction Convention is the Ministry of Justice, Legal Child Support Department.  The ACA reviews Hague applications for completion, initiates location efforts for missing children, and if appropriate, approaches taking parties about whether or not abduction situations may be resolved voluntarily.  The ACA can be reached at:

Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia
Agency of Civil Status Acts Registration
Vazgen Sargsyan 3/8
YEREVAN 0010
Republic of Armenia

Tel.: +374 10 594 185, +374 93 426 066

To initiate a Hague case for return of, or access to, a child in Armenia, the USCA encourages parents to review the eligibility criteria and instructions for completing the Hague application form located at the Department of State website and contact the Department of State for assistance prior to initiating the Hague process directly with the foreign Central Authority. The USCA is available to answer questions about the Hague application process, to forward a completed application to Armenia, and to subsequently monitor its progress through the foreign administrative and legal processes. There are no fees for filing Hague applications with either the United States or Armenian central authorities. 

Return

A parent or legal guardian may file an application under the Hague Abduction Convention for return to the United States of a child abducted to, or wrongfully retained in, Armenia. The U.S. Department of State can assist parents living in the United States to understand whether the Convention is an available civil remedy and can provide information on the process for submitting a Hague application.

Visitation/Access

A person may file an application under the Hague Abduction Convention for access to a child living in Armenia. The criteria for acceptance of a Hague access application vary from country to country. The U.S. Department of State can assist parents living in the United States to understand country-specific criteria and provide information on the process for submitting a Hague application.

Retaining an Attorney

Neither the Office of Children’s Issues nor consular officials at the U.S. Embassy in Armenia are authorized to provide legal advice.

The U.S. Embassy in Yerevan, Armenia, posts a list of attorneys, including those who specialize in family law.

This list is provided as a courtesy service only and does not constitute an endorsement of any individual attorney. The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the persons or firms included in this list. Professional credentials and areas of expertise are provided directly by the lawyers.

Mediation

We are unaware of any Mediation services available in Armenia at this time.

Exercising Custody Rights

While travelling in a foreign country, you are subject to the laws of that country. It is important for parents to understand that, although a left-behind parent in the United States may have custody or visitation rights pursuant to a U.S. custody order, that order may not be valid and enforceable in the country in which the child is located.  For this reason, we strongly encourage you to speak to a local attorney if planning to remove a child from a foreign country without the consent of the other parent.  Attempts to remove your child to the United States may:

  • Endanger your child and others;
  • Prejudice any future judicial efforts; and
  • Could result in your arrest and imprisonment.

The U.S. government cannot interfere with another country’s court or law enforcement system.

To understand the legal effect of a U.S. order in a foreign country, a parent should consult with a local attorney in the country in which the child is located.  

For information about hiring an attorney abroad, see our section on Retaining a Foreign Attorney. 

Although we cannot recommend an attorney to you, most U.S. Embassies have lists of attorneys available online. Please visit the local U.S. Embassy or Consulate website for a full listing.

For more information on consular assistance for U.S. citizens arrested abroad, please see our website.

Country officers are available to speak with you Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.  For assistance with an abduction in progress or any emergency situation that occurs after normal business hours, on weekends, or federal holidays, please call toll free at 1-888-407-4747. See all contact information.

DISCLAIMER: The information in this flyer is provided for general information only, is not intended to be legal advice, and may change without notice. Questions involving interpretation of law should be addressed to an attorney licensed in the relevant jurisdiction. 

 

Last Updated: October 23, 2018

Assistance for U.S. Citizens

U.S. Embassy Yerevan
1 American Avenue
Yerevan 0082, Republic of Armenia
Telephone
+(374) 10-464-700
Emergency
+(374) 10-494-444 and during business
hours (M-F 9:00am-5:30pm) +(374) 10-494-585
Fax
+(374) 10-464-742

Armenia Map