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.
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
To obtain a biometric passport, a citizen of Georgia should apply to any territorial office of the Public Service Development Agency (Civil Registry), any branch of the Public Service Hall or use the Agency’s remote service.
The person submitting an application for a biometric passport should present:
- ID Card (in the absence of such, the applicant should first obtain an ID Card);
- Biometric photo - size 3.5X4.5 cm, in electronic form (the photo can be taken on site);
- Receipt certifying the payment of the fee (payment is possible on site).
Georgian citizen can receive a biometric passport through remote service in case he/she has taken a biometric passport at least once before and the biometric data of the interested person can be re-used for the purpose of re-issuing the document.
Detailed instruction on obtaining the biometric passport remotely can be found at the following link - https://sda.gov.ge/?page_id=5319
The following periods and fees are set for the issuance of a biometric passport after the submission of the application:
Issuing on the 10th working day - service fee GEL 150;
Issuing on the 5th working day - service fee GEL 150 and expedited service fee GEL 30;
Issuing on the 3rd working day - service fee GEL 150 and expedited service fee GEL 75;
Issuing on the 2nd working day - service fee GEL 150 and expedited service fee GEL 150;
Issuing on the same day - service fee GEL 150 and expedited service fee GEL 200;
In which case a biometric passport will be annulled?
A biometric passport will be annulled in case:
• One year has passed since the preparation of the document and the citizen has not taken away the document;
• The validity period of the document expired;
• First name or last name changed;
• Inaccuracy was determined in data;
• The person passed away;
• Georgian citizenship was terminated;
• Person was adopted/paternity was established (if the data has changed);
• Personal application was submitted.
Additional information - https://sda.gov.ge/?page_id=5103
Contact Information - (+99532) 2401010, (+995 32) 2405405
