According to the Article 3 of the law of the Republic of Azerbaijan “About Passports”, passport of citizen of the Republic of Azerbaijan is the only document that confirms the identity of the citizen out of the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan, as well as, realizes his/her right to exit from the country and entry into the country.

Passport is issued to citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan in accordance with the law and is valid for all countries.

The passport is the property of the Republic of Azerbaijan, its withdrawal or pledge shall be strictly prohibited except in the cases stipulated by the legislation of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

When a passport is lost, state authorities issuing it, if such event takes place abroad, the diplomatic representation or consulate of the Republic of Azerbaijan must immediately be informed. The diplomatic representations or consulates of the Republic of Azerbaijan together with the relevant executive authority of the Republic of Azerbaijan provide such citizens depending on the person's choice with one of the following documents entitled to return to the Republic of Azerbaijan in a short time:

- either measures can be taken to issue a new ordinary passport of the citizen of the Republic of Azerbaijan;

- or a return certificate for immediate return of the person to the Republic of Azerbaijan can be issued.

The ordinary passport of the Republic of Azerbaijan shall be issued by the local authorities issuing the national passport of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan (hereinafter - the internal affairs body) in accordance with the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan "About Passports" and the Regulations on the application of the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan "About Passports".

In accordance with the rules set out in the said Regulations, the ordinary passport individually prepared for the internal affairs bodies is issued by the diplomatic representation or consulate of the Republic of Azerbaijan accredited in foreign country in which the citizen has permanent and temporary residence. In this case, the documents required for issuance of ordinary passport and sending them to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan are carried out by the diplomatic representation or consulate of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Taking of the fingerprints of a citizen, as well as photographs in accordance with the requirements of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is conducted in the passport issuing authority. Fingerprints are not taken from citizens who have not reached the age of 15.

The ordinary passport is issued for a one-year period for children under the age of 1, three years for children aged 1 to 3, five years for children under 18 years of age, and ten years for persons under the age of 18.

Attention! Citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan holders of ordinary passport must apply to a diplomatic representation or consulate of foreign country located (or accredited) in the Republic of Azerbaijan in order to obtain a visa to travel to that foreign country (except for those countries which have an agreement on visa-free travel under international treaties).

The following documents are required from a citizen for issuing ordinary passport:

• application form for issuing a national passport (application for issuing a national passport to a citizen who has reached the age of 18 and an application for issuing a national passport to a citizen who has not reached the age of 18);
• Identity card of a citizen (or birth certificate of a citizen who has not reached the age of 15 or a personal identification card);
• Document on payment of state fee;
• passport is issued within two business days, in cases of immediate treatment or death of a citizen of the Republic of Azerbaijan or accompanying person (s) or his close relative living abroad - documents referred to in item 3.3 of the Regulations;

When a passport is issued to a citizen who has not reached the age of 15:

• Medical certificate about blood group (this document is not required when the child's personal identification card is submitted);
• Document certifying the rights of the adoptive parent, guardian or custodian of children deprived of parental care.

When issuing a national passport to a citizen who has not reached the age of 15, the application form is signed by his/her parents and other legal representatives of children deprived of parental care.

A citizen's application form may be issued by a citizen or legal representative of a citizen between the ages of 15 and 18. In either case, the application must contain a signature of a citizen between the ages of 15 and 18.

"Documents required for the issuance of a national passport must be accepted for proceedings by diplomatic representations and consulates of the Republic of Azerbaijan if submitted fully in accordance with the legislation."

Responsibility and restrictions established by the legislation

Citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan may issue an administrative complaint and (or) appeal to the court for delay in consideration of application form or for refusal of its consideration.

In accordance with Article 332 of the Code on Administrative violations of the Republic of Azerbaijan the unjustified refusal of issue to citizens of identity cards, passports or identity card of a seaman, demand of documents for their release, which are not envisaged by legislation either admission of red tape at issue (replacement) of identity card or passport as well, as its illegal requisitioning or acceptance on security entails imposition of penalty in amount of 85-90 AZN.

The ordinary passport of citizen of the Republic of Azerbaijan should be handed over to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan if it is damaged or its validity expired and or the holder passed away.

In accordance with Article 331 of the Code on Administrative violations of the Republic of Azerbaijan the loss or deliberate spoiling of identity card or passport by citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan in a territory of foreign country may entail an imposition of penalty in appropriate amount which is charged by the diplomatic representation or consulates of the Republic of Azerbaijan.