Family
The Family Code of 2004 with civil registration through ZAGS
The Family Code governs marriage, divorce, parental rights and adoption. Only civil marriage registered with the civil status registry produces legal effects; religious ceremonies have no independent legal consequence.
Key rules
- Jurisdiction — National. Registry offices handle uncontested matters; courts of general jurisdiction hear contested cases.
- Deadline — Divorce by mutual consent through the registry office is generally effective after a one-month waiting period
Governing law
- Family Code of the Republic of Armenia2004
- Law on Prevention of Violence within the Family (2017) — protection orders
In practice
Marriage requires both parties to be 18, with limited exceptions from 16 with consent. Divorce is available administratively where both spouses consent and there are no minor children or property disputes; otherwise it goes to court. Property acquired during marriage is community property by default and divided equally on divorce, subject to contrary agreement. The 2017 domestic violence law introduced emergency protection orders and a system of preventive registration, and was a notable legislative step given earlier resistance. Child maintenance is calculated as a share of the payer's income.