Persons residing in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions can use documents at hand, inter alia so-called documents that are taken into consideration for the establishment of Georgian citizenship, consideration of the relevant application and in decision-making process.
The following persons are considered to be the citizens of Georgia (except for those who have already obtained or will obtain Georgian citizenship in accordance with the “Organic law on Georgian Citizenship”):
- A person born in Georgia before December 21, 1991, who lived in the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia or in the territory of the Tskhinvali region (former Autonomous District of South Ossetia) until December 21, 1991, as well as their descendants, who have not received the citizenship of another country and in case there is no ground for the refusal to grant citizenship, such as, for example, commission of a severe crime, being wanted, and/or another state or public security circumstance/interest.
Procedure for the Establishment of Georgian Citizenship
For the establishment of Georgian citizenship, an interested person applies to any territorial office of the Public Service Development Agency (Civil Registry), branches of the Public Service Hall or in case of being abroad - to the diplomatic mission or consular service of Georgia.
The application for the establishment of Georgian citizenship should be submitted by an adult, legally capable person residing in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions, personally and/or through a representative. Upon the initiative of the applicant, the application can be submitted through international organization operating in Georgia.
(Obtaining citizenship of another country does not include the mass and forced passportization carried out by the Russian Federation in the Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions, which involved the illegal issuance/distribution of Russian passports to the local population by the so-called Russian Embassy).
Territorial offices of the State Services Development Agency – https://sda.gov.ge/en/contact/)
The following documents should be submitted for the consideration of the issue:
a. Application filled in accordance with the predetermined form;
b. Color photo - size 3X4 (the applicant submits the photo to the Agency or its territorial service in electronic form or in case of being abroad - to the diplomatic mission or consular service of Georgia - in hard copy or electronic form);
c. In case the applicant requests an expedited service - a receipt certifying the payment of the service fee.
Additionally, one of the following documents should also be submitted:
1) Birth certificate, or a document issued by an authorized entity, certifying the fact of birth in Georgia before December 21, 1991; and/or
2) A document certifying the fact of residing in the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia or in the territory of Tskhinvali Region (former Autonomous District of South Ossetia) until December 21, 1991; and/or
3) Any document or information certifying the grounds for the establishment of citizenship.
Children born before December 21, 1991 and residing in the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia or in the territory of Tskhinvali Region (former Autonomous District of South Ossetia) should additionally present:
- A birth certificate or a document issued by an authorized entity certifying he/she is a child of a person residing in the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia or in the territory of Tskhinvali region (former Autonomous District of South Ossetia) before December 21, 1991.
Note: In case there is a basis for obtaining the citizenship of another country, the applicant is obliged to submit a certificate issued by the competent authorities of the relevant country certifying the absence of citizenship of that country. This requirement is not mandatory in case of countries not issuing such certificates.
The application for the establishment of Georgian citizenship should be submitted in Georgian. Documents in other languages (except for the former USSR passport) can be submitted together with the Georgian translation certified either by the so-called notary acting in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions or in accordance with the procedures set by Georgian legislation.
The establishment of the Georgian citizenship of an incapacitated and/or minor person is possible upon the application of parents or of other legal representative. Establishment of the Georgian citizenship of the support recipient is allowed with the supporter's consent, unless otherwise ruled by the decision of the Court.
Service periods and fee
Issuing on the 30th day – free;
Issuing on the 20th day – GEL 40;
Issuing on the 15th day – GEL 65;
Issuing on the 10th day – GEL 100.
Procedure for obtaining a biometric passport of Georgian citizen
The passport of a citizen of Georgia is a document certifying the identity and citizenship of a Georgian citizen both within the territory of Georgia and abroad.
The biometric passport issued by the State Services Development Agency is a high-tech and fraud-protected travel document, designed to ensure comprehensive identification of an individual.
To obtain a biometric passport, a citizen of Georgia must submit an application to any territorial office of the State Services Development Agency (Civil Registry), any branch of the Public Service Hall, a diplomatic mission or consular office of Georgia abroad, or use the Agency’s remote services.
The person submitting an application for the issuance of a biometric passport must provide:
- Birth certificate;
- Identity card (if the applicant does not have an identity card, they must first obtain one);
- A biometric photograph in electronic format, size 3.5 × 4.5 cm (the photo can be taken on-site);
- Receipt confirming payment of the applicable fee (payment can be made on-site);
- For persons under the age of 16, consent of both parents for passport issuance (the consent form is completed before an authorized employee of the Agency or at a notary office);
- For minors aged 16–18, consent of one legal representative (except in cases where the minor is in a registered marriage).
The validity period of a biometric passport is 10 years, while a biometric passport issued to a person under the age of 18 is valid for 3 years.
A citizen of Georgia may obtain a biometric passport through remote services if they have previously obtained a biometric passport at least once and their biometric data can be reused for the purpose of issuing the document.
Detailed instructions for obtaining a biometric passport remotely are available at the following link:
https://sda.gov.ge/services/sdapage-002/
(Territorial offices of the State Services Development Agency – https://sda.gov.ge/en/contact/)
The following periods and fees are set for the issuance of a biometric passport after the submission of the application:
- Issuance within 10 working days - service fee: GEL 150 (for minors - GEL 75);
- Issuance within 5 working days - service fee: GEL 185 (for minors - GEL 105) and expedited service fee: GEL 30;
- Issuance within 3 working days - service fee: GEL 225 (for minors - GEL 150) and expedited service fee: GEL 75;
- Issuance within 24 hours - service fee: GEL 300 (for minors - GEL 225);
- Issuance on the 2nd working day - service fee: GEL 150 and expedited service fee: GEL 150;
- Issuance on the same day - service fee: GEL 315 (for minors - GEL 275) and expedited service fee: GEL 200.
There are three ways to obtain a renewed biometric passport for a citizen of Georgia residing abroad:
- Through remote services - the biometric passport is prepared within two working days and is either handed over to the person specified in the electronic application or sent by post. The service fee is GEL 300;
- Through a representative – an authorized person may submit the application (a document confirming authorization, specifically a properly certified power of attorney, must be provided). In this case, the service fee for issuance on the 10th working day is GEL 230, while for issuance on the 5th working day it is GEL 300;
- By applying to a diplomatic mission or consular office of Georgia abroad - the biometric passport is produced within 45 days, and the service fee is USD 50.
A passport must be replaced in the following cases:
- Change of first name or surname;
- Identification of inaccuracies in the records;
- When the pages designated for visas have been used up;
- Expiry of the passport validity period;
- Damage, wear, or loss of the document.
Additional information - https://sda.gov.ge/products/პასპორტი/
Contact Information - (+99532) 2401010, (+995 32) 2405405
