Procurement of documents in Latvia

The company Schmidt and Schmidt provides services for the requisition of civil status documents, as well as obtaining duplicates, lost or damaged documents in Latvia with their subsequent legalization and translation.

It often happens that civil status documents are lost or damaged, or it is necessary to obtain current copies of documents. In this case, it is necessary to request duplicates of documents. Often, those who have left Latvia face difficulties in this procedure. Our service allows you to request documents in Latvia remotely, and we can provide courier delivery of the document to any point in the world.

Validity of civil status documents in Latvia

Civil status documents issued in Latvia do not have an expiration date. The receiving party may make requirements regarding the expiration dates.

When to obtain documents in Latvia

A duplicate birth certificate, marriage certificate, name change certificate, divorce certificate, criminal record certificate or death certificate may be required to register a marriage abroad, a newborn child, citizenship, inheritance, data verification for pension applications, opening bank accounts, employment and other bureaucratic issues.

What documents can be requested in Latvia:

• Birth certificate
• Marriage certificate
• Certificate of change of surname
• Divorce certificate
• Death certificate
• Certificates of good conduct
• Educational documents
• Other civil status documents

The right to access death records and request a death certificate, a notification of death registration, or a copy of the death record is granted to the deceased's relative or their authorized representative.

Birth certificate

A birth certificate is an official document provided by the Registrar or acting Registrar of the relevant Civil or Consular Register. It verifies details of an individual's birth, including the date, sex, and, if applicable, the time of birth and family relationships.

The birth of a child must be reported to the Correspondence Department within one month. The Civil Registry Office will record the birth in the birth register and issue a birth certificate.

If the child's parents are not legally married, the father's information can be included in the birth registration by submitting a joint application for parental recognition to the Correspondence Department. This service is available at any Family Lists Division in Latvia, regardless of the parents' declared place of residence.

Required documents

• Full birth name on the certificate
• Date of birth
• Place of birth
• Gender
• Mother's full birth name
• Father's full name, if recorded

Marriage certificate

The marriage certificate is the legal record of marriage, used to verify marital status. It is usually required for procedures such as changing the last name, applying for spousal benefits, immigration applications and for inheritance matters.

In Latvia, obtaining a marriage certificate involves several steps, starting with the submission of a joint application to the Civil Registry Office or the Family List Department. Both individuals must sign the application and provide necessary identification documents, such as passports or national ID cards. If one or both applicants have been previously married, they must present proof of divorce or a death certificate of a former spouse.

Once the application is submitted, the marriage can be registered after a mandatory waiting period of one month and must be completed within six months of the application. The couple can choose to have a civil or religious ceremony, and in both cases, the marriage must be witnessed by two adults. After the ceremony, the marriage is officially recorded in the Marriage Register, and the couple receives their marriage certificate on the same day.

Foreign nationals intending to marry in Latvia must also provide a document from their country of origin confirming that there are no legal obstacles to the marriage. This document must be legalized and translated into Latvian as required by local law.

Required documents

• Application form signed by both parties
• Valid ID from both parties
• Extract or statement of the divorce paper (for divorcees)
• Certificate of no impediment (for foreign nationals)

Divorce certificate

A divorce certificate (also known as decrees) serves the purpose to verify the legal dissolution of a marriage. It is required for procedures such as remarrying, updating marital status on legal records, immigration applications, and legal matters involving custody, support, or property division.

In Latvia, obtaining a divorce certificate involves several steps, depending on how the divorce was granted—either by a notary or a court.

Divorce by a Notary:

If both spouses mutually agree on the divorce, and there are no unresolved issues regarding property or child custody, they can file a joint application with a sworn notary. This process is quicker and does not require a court hearing. Once the notary finalizes the divorce, they will issue a divorce certificate.

Divorce by a Court:

When spouses disagree on key aspects such as child custody, alimony, or property division, the divorce must be settled in court. The court will issue a divorce judgment, which can then be used to obtain a divorce certificate from the Civil Registry Office.

Required documents

• Valid ID
• Original divorce decree or judgment from the court or notary
  Application form

Death certificate

A death certificate serves the purpose to provide official confirmation of a person’s death. It is often needed for legal and financial matters such as settling estates, claiming life insurance, finalizing wills, notifying government agencies and closing bank accounts.

In Latvia, obtaining a death certificate involves registering the death with the Civil Registry Office (Dzimtsarakstu nodaļa). The procedure may vary slightly based on whether the death occurred at home, in a hospital, or under suspicious circumstances.

The death must be registered within six working days of the occurrence or discovery. This is typically handled by a relative or an authorized representative.
If the death occurred in a hospital or other institution, the facility may assist in notifying the Registry Office.

In cases where the death involves police investigation or an autopsy, the authorities may handle initial registration.
The Registry Office issues the death certificate free of charge to the person registering the death.
The certificate is essential for organizing funeral services, settling the estate, and other legal processes​

Required documents

• Valid ID
• Medical certificate confirming the death, issued by a doctor or hospital.

Criminal record certificate

A criminal record certificate, also known as a police certificate, is a document used to verify an individual's criminal record or confirm the absence of one. It is required for employment in sensitive fields, visa or immigration applications, volunteering and adoption proceedings.

In Latvia, a Criminal Record Certificate (or Police Clearance Certificate) is issued by the Information Centre of the Ministry of the Interior.

You can apply in person at the Ministry of the Interior’s Information Centre in Riga. Applications can be submitted through the nearest Latvian embassy or consulate.

Required documents

• Valid ID
• For foreign nationals, proof of residence in Latvia during the relevant period

Educational Documents

Foreign educational documents only carry the same legal value as Latvian documents if they are exempt from legalization or have undergone the necessary legalization process. Documents from countries with bilateral agreements with Latvia are fully exempt from legalization. Documents from countries that are part of the Hague Convention of 1961 undergo a simplified procedure called apostille. If neither countries are part of the convention or have bilateral agreements they undergo consular legalization

Apostille of duplicate documents in Latvia

Latvia joined the Hague Convention on the Simplified Legalization of Documents on the 11th March 1996.
Thus, documents issued in Latvia are subject to legalization under a simplified procedure - apostille, after notarized translation into any language, such documents acquire full legal force in the territory of the wished destination.
You can order an apostille for copies and duplicates of documents from Latvia from us.

When is an apostille needed

An apostille is a special stamp that confirms the authenticity of an official document. It can be used to certify documentation issued by government agencies, local government bodies, and structures that the state has granted special powers.

In our video we tell you what an apostille is, why it is needed, how and where it can be done, and also about the history of document apostilling.