Buying an Apartment in Yerevan: Documents, Notary and Costs

By WSE.AM editorial team, edited by Mark Muzyka · Updated 12 October 2026

How an apartment purchase works in Armenia: property checks, the notary's role, registration at the Cadastre, required documents and who pays what.

Buying an Apartment in Yerevan: Documents, Notary and Costs

How does an apartment purchase work in Yerevan?

The short answer: a property deal in Armenia goes through a notary and ends with registration at the Cadastre, and it is this registration that makes the buyer the owner. The order is as follows. First, the property is checked: an extract from the Cadastre confirms that the seller really is the owner, that there are no mortgages, arrests (court-ordered freezes) or other encumbrances, no utility debts and no people with a right to live in the apartment. Next, the parties agree on the price, and a deposit is usually paid; its terms should be put in writing. The sale and purchase agreement is certified by a notary, who checks the identities and legal capacity of the parties and that the documents are clean. After that, ownership is registered with the Real Estate Cadastre Committee, which usually takes a few working days. The documents you need are the parties' passports, the seller's ownership document, a Cadastre extract and, if required, the spouse's consent to the sale. Foreigners buy on equal terms with citizens, except for agricultural land. The deal can be done remotely with a notarized power of attorney.

How a property deal works in Armenia

Buying an apartment in Armenia is a transparent and relatively fast procedure. Foreigners have the right to buy property on equal terms with citizens (except for agricultural land). The key players in the deal are the seller, the buyer, the notary and the Cadastre.

Step 1. Check the property

Before the deal, make sure that:

the seller is the real owner (Cadastre extract);
there are no mortgages, arrests or encumbrances on the apartment;
there are no utility debts;
nobody has a right to live in the apartment who could get in the way.

Step 2. Preliminary agreement and deposit

The parties agree on the price and terms. A deposit is often paid to lock in the intentions. The terms of the deposit should be put in writing.

Step 3. The agreement and the notary

In Armenia the sale and purchase agreement is certified by a notary. The notary checks the identities of the parties, their legal capacity and that the documents are clean, and certifies the deal. This is the key protection for both sides.

Step 4. Registration at the Cadastre

After the notary, ownership is registered at the Cadastre (the Real Estate Cadastre Committee). It is the registration that makes the buyer the legal owner. The procedure usually takes a few working days.

What documents do you need?

passports or international passports of the parties;
the seller's ownership document;
a Cadastre extract;
the notarized agreement;
if required, the spouse's consent to the sale.

What does the deal cost?

Notary services: a fixed amount or one that depends on the deal.
State fee for registration at the Cadastre.
Real estate agent services (if you use one).
Taxes: these depend on the seller's status and how long they have owned the property.

How costs are split between the parties is agreed in advance. Check the exact amounts with the notary before the deal.

Can the deal be done remotely?

Yes. With a notarized power of attorney, a representative can act on your behalf. This is convenient for foreigners who cannot be there in person.

Conclusion

A property deal in Armenia is well protected by the notary and by state registration. The main thing is to check the property thoroughly before signing. Legal support removes most of the risks.

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Frequently asked questions

Who makes the buyer the owner of an apartment in Armenia: the notary or the Cadastre? The buyer becomes the owner when ownership is registered with the Real Estate Cadastre Committee. The notary certifies the agreement and checks the identities, the legal capacity of the parties and that the documents are clean, and only then is ownership registered at the Cadastre, usually within a few working days.

What documents do you need to buy an apartment in Yerevan? You will need the parties' passports or international passports, the seller's ownership document, a Cadastre extract and the notarized agreement. If the apartment was acquired during a marriage, the consent of the seller's spouse to the sale may be required.

Can a foreigner buy an apartment in Armenia? Yes, foreigners buy property in Armenia on equal terms with citizens. There is one exception: agricultural land. You can also complete an apartment purchase remotely, through a representative with a notarized power of attorney.

Who pays the notary and the state fee in a Yerevan property deal? There is no single rule: how costs are split between the seller and the buyer is agreed in advance. Costs include notary services, the state fee for registration at the Cadastre, real estate agent services if you use one, and taxes; check the exact amounts with the notary before the deal.