Police Clearance Certificate is an official document issued by the internal affairs authorities confirming that a person currently has no criminal record, is not wanted for criminal offenses, or that any previous convictions have already been expunged. It is one of the most commonly required documents for international mobility.
A Police Clearance Certificate is often required in the following situations:
- Obtaining a visa;
- Applying for a temporary residence permit;
- Applying for a residence permit;
- Obtaining citizenship;
- Employment;
- Admission to an educational institution;
- Background checks for adoption or guardianship;
- Providing evidence in court;
- Marriage registration.
What is a Criminal Record Certificate in Latvia?
The full official name of the criminal record certificate in Latvia is “Information from the Register of Criminal Offences regarding the (non)existence of criminal convictions of natural persons, imposed administrative sanctions, administrative sanctions imposed on legal persons, and coercive measures” (“Izziņa no Sodu reģistra par fizisko personu (ne)sodāmību, piemērotajiem administratīvajiem sodiem, juridiskām personām piemērotajiem administratīvajiem sodiem un piespiedu ietekmēšanas līdzekļiem”). The document is commonly referred to as a “Certificate of No Criminal Record” or simply a “Criminal Record Certificate.”
The issuance of criminal record certificates in Latvia is regulated by the “Regulations on the Provision and Receipt of Information from the Register of Criminal Offences,” approved by Cabinet Regulation No. 563 of 23 September 2014.
A criminal record certificate is a paper or electronic document generated on the basis of data from the Information Centre of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. These records are compiled by authorities responsible for investigations, the prosecutor’s office, courts, officials and institutions imposing administrative penalties, as well as enforcement bodies and institutions applying coercive measures. The certificate is issued in Latvian or English.
At the applicant’s request, two types of certificates may be issued (containing the relevant information):
- From the active database (covering current criminal convictions, administrative penalties imposed within the last year, and coercive measures applied to legal entities);
- From the archived database (in addition to the active data, it includes information on expunged convictions, administrative penalties imposed more than one year ago, and previously applied coercive measures for legal entities).
In addition, there is a Latvian criminal record certificate format (“Certificate on (non)conviction of a person in the Republic of Latvia”) issued by Latvian consular institutions abroad.
How to obtain a Criminal Record Certificate in Latvia
Criminal record certificates in Latvia can be requested in the following ways:
- Electronically via the electronic services portal;
- By submitting an application to the Information Centre of the Ministry of the Interior in electronic form or in paper form by post.
A paper certificate is sent by post.
Electronic certificate
An electronically issued certificate can be requested via the state services portal or by email from the Information Centre of the Latvian Ministry of the Interior.
Paper certificate
A paper certificate is ordered by post through the Information Centre of the Latvian Ministry of the Interior.
Certificate by power of attorney
A criminal record certificate may also be issued based on a notarized power of attorney. When submitting the request, the representative must provide an identity document, a document authorizing them to act on behalf of the applicant (power of attorney), as well as a copy of the represented person’s identity document.
The application for a certificate for a natural person must include the following information: first name(s), surname(s), previous name(s) and surname(s), personal identification number, and previous identification number (if it has been changed), date of birth (for foreign nationals), preferred spelling of the name and surname in the genitive case, as well as the number and validity period of the identity document.
The application must also specify information about the applicant, the scope of requested data, applicable fee reductions, the language of the certificate, the payment method, and the method of delivery. A natural person may request information about themselves, their minor children, and persons under guardianship or custody.
To order a criminal record certificate via the government services portal, you need to:
- Log in to the portal;
- Complete authentication using an electronic signature or bank identification tools;
- Pay the state fee;
- Fill in the application form;
- Submit the application;
- Receive the electronically signed certificate in your personal account.
To order a certificate by email, you need to:
- Consult by phone at +371 67219111;
- Send a digitally signed application to pasts@ic.iem.gov.lv;
- Receive the electronic certificate by email.
To order a paper certificate by post, you need to:
- Consult by phone at +371 67219111;
- Send the application by post to the Information Centre of the Ministry of the Interior: Bruņinieku iela 72B, Riga, LV-1009;
- Receive the paper certificate by post.
Criminal Record Certificate through a consulate
To obtain a criminal record certificate through a Latvian consulate or the consular section of the Embassy of Latvia abroad, the following documents must be provided:
- An application form;
- A certified copy of the passport;
- Proof of payment of the fee.
When receiving a criminal record certificate, it is essential to carefully verify all personal data. Any error or typo will render the document invalid.
Apostille on a Criminal Record Certificate from Latvia
Since 1995, Latvia has been a party to the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961 abolishing the requirement of legalization for foreign public documents (the “Apostille Convention”).
An apostille is an internationally standardized form certifying the legality of a document for use in countries that recognize this form of legalization. It usually appears as a special stamp or certificate. In recent years, the electronic apostille (e-Apostille) has also become widespread — a digital certification confirming the authenticity of electronically issued documents.
In Latvia, apostilles on criminal record certificates are issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
An apostille cannot be affixed to criminal record certificates issued by Latvian consular institutions, as the apostille procedure does not apply to consular documents. As a result, official authorities in many countries may refuse to accept such certificates. Before obtaining such a document, it is recommended to confirm with the relevant institution whether it will be accepted.
What is an apostille?
What is an apostille? Why do I need an apostille? How do I get an apostille? - Our video will explain everything you need to know about the apostille. If you have a document that needs to be certified with an apostille for use abroad, Schmidt and Schmidt will assist you! We provide apostille services in more than 100 countries worldwide.
Consular legalization of a Criminal Record Certificate from Latvia
If the country where a Latvian criminal record certificate will be used is not a party to the 1961 Hague Convention (for example, the UAE), a more expensive and complex consular legalization procedure is required.
Consular legalization is a multi-step process used to confirm the authenticity of documents for countries that are not members of the 1961 Hague Convention.
To complete consular legalization of a Latvian criminal record certificate, the following steps must be followed:
- Obtain the certificate;
- Legalize the document at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia;
- Prepare a notarized translation of the document;
- Legalize the document at the consulate or consular section of the embassy of the destination country.
Due to the number of steps involved, this procedure is time-consuming and relatively costly. Some countries do not have consulates in Latvia, and the final stage of legalization may need to be completed in another country where the relevant consulate is located.
What is consular legalization?
In our video we are explaining what consular legalization is and where to apply for it.
Schmidt & Schmidt will assist you in all issues concerning the legalization.
Schmidt & Schmidt offers legalization in more than 80 countries all over the world.
Official translation of Police Clearance Certificate from Latvia
The Police Clearance Certificate from Latvia is issued in Latvian. To use it abroad, an official translation must be prepared in accordance with the requirements of the destination country — by a sworn, certified, notary, or court-approved translator recognized in that country.
A translation made within Latvia (except in cases of consular legalization) will most likely not be accepted abroad.
Document delivery
After obtaining a Criminal Record Certificate, as well as completing its apostille or legalization, it is often necessary to send the document to another country. In such cases, not only speed but also security is essential, especially when dealing with original official documents.
Schmidt & Schmidt provides international document delivery services worldwide. We use reliable logistics solutions and modern tracking systems, allowing you to monitor the shipment at every stage and ensuring timely delivery to the recipient.
Our specialists ensure careful and confidential handling of documents and assist in resolving any issues that may arise during international shipping, including carrier requirements and customs clearance procedures.
We can arrange delivery of Criminal Record Certificates, apostilled documents, translations, and other official papers to most countries worldwide — both for private clients and for legal entities and organizations.
How can we help?
We will be happy to assist you with obtaining a Criminal Record Certificate in Latvia, including document retrieval, apostille, and legalization for use abroad, as well as translation and delivery to any country worldwide.
You can always обратиться to Schmidt & Schmidt. We have extensive experience in obtaining and legalizing various types of documents and provide a full range of services in this field, including notarized copies, translation, preparation of powers of attorney, legalization of documents with government authorities and foreign consulates, as well as delivery of completed documents to most countries around the world.
You can learn more about the legalization and apostille procedures on our website.
