Citizenship in Latvia can be obtained by descent if it is proved that there are relatives of Latvian origin. In the following lines, our immigration lawyers in Latvia will explain what you have to do to obtain Latvian citizenship by descent and what the required formalities are.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Eligibility criteria to get Latvian citizenship by descent | To have a parent/descendant with Latvian origins |
| Legislation | Citizenship Law in Latvia |
| Examinations & approvals done by | Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA) |
| Key conditions | Presenting: – birth/marriage certificates, – census records, – ancestors’ documents, etc. |
| Type of documents required | The original ones; however, copies are also accepted. |
| Notarization | Translation and apostille are required for US citizens applying for Latvian citizenship by descent. |
| Language requirements | Not imposed for exiled Latvians who apply for citizenship by descent. |
| Application can also be done at | The Latvian Embassy |
| Timeframe to get Latvian citizenship by descent | About 6 months |
| Restoring Latvian citizenship | Available option |
| Special cases | Faster application for citizens exiled between 1940 and 1990. |
| Advantages of Latvian citizenship by descent | – no restrictions on working and/or living in any EU country, – studying in Latvia, – social security benefits, etc. |
| Application for minors | Possible through legal representatives |
| Dual citizenship in Latvia | Allowed |
| Working with our immigration lawyers in Latvia | For complete and tailored legal services to get the Latvian citizenship by descent. |
Getting citizenship through heritage in Latvia
If you want to apply for citizenship through ancestry in Latvia, you must know some legal aspects in this regard:
- If it is proved that at least one parent is of Latvian origin, you can apply for citizenship by descent in Latvia.
- Foreign citizens who prove that they had an ancestor of Latvian origin in 1940 or who escaped the German and Russian occupation in the years 1940-1990 can apply for Latvian citizenship by descent.
- People who prove that they have or had grandparents of Latvian origin can apply for citizenship in Latvia by descent.
- Birth certificates are required to prove that you have or had relatives in Latvia. Birth Register extracts are also accepted.
- Copies and the original of the ID card or passport are required, as the case may be.
- The Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs in Latvia (OCMA) is the institution that accepts and verifies the documents of those interested in Latvian citizenship by descent.
We invite you to learn more about citizenship through heritage in Latvia from our specialists. With the help of our lawyers in Latvia, you can apply and obtain the desired status, without complexity and in a fairly quick time. Here is an infographic with details on this subject:
Some details about the processing time of Latvian citizenship by descent
Citizenship through origin in Latvia involves two phases as follows:
- The preparation of the documents and the collaboration with the relevant local authorities can take around 2 months. During this time, our Latvian lawyers can deal with forms and applications, maintaining constant communication with interested clients.
- The application processing phase refers to the verification of the application and documents by the authorities, a procedure that can take around 4-12 months. If everything is in order in terms of documents, the decision on citizenship through ancestry in Latvia can be issued more quickly.
To benefit from a simple and fast process of obtaining Latvian citizenship by descent, we advise you to collaborate with our specialists. Our attorneys in Latvia can explain all the procedures and guide you throughout the process.
Can it also apply to minor children interested in citizenship through origin in Latvia?
Yes, those interested in Latvian citizenship by descent can apply for minor children, either as parents or as legal representatives or guardians. In this case, birth certificates are required to certify the connection and origins with Latvian ancestors, and in certain cases, legalized documents. Below is a video presentation on this topic:
The right to acquire Latvian citizenship by descent and specific confirmations
Getting citizenship by descent in Latvia can be a rather complex process in terms of documents and requirements. For example, there are special cases where persons in question must complete a confirmation form if they or their ancestors left Latvia from the 17th of June 1940 to 4th of May 1990, the period when the country was occupied by the USSR and then the German regimes. The same condition, implying a special confirmation, is also imposed for citizens deported during that period and who were unable to return to the country as permanent residents with Latvian origins. We specify in this case that minors under 15 years of age who want to obtain citizenship by descent in Latvia must have a legal representative, a situation in which one of our immigration lawyers can help. A confirmation can be signed on behalf of minors by the chosen legal representative.
On the other hand, the civil registration documents, namely the extract of birth certificate from the Birth Register in Latvia, as well as the marriage certificate, are required for persons who had descendants of Latvian origin on 17th of June 1940. If the situation requires it, it is possible that the immigration authorities may solicit documents attesting to military services or the 1935 census, which can complicate or prolong the process of obtaining Latvian citizenship by ancestry.
What else do you need to know about the documents required for Latvian citizenship through ancestry?
The immigration authorities in Latvia carefully analyze each citizenship application to ensure that all conditions are met. In this regard, you should know that when submitting copies of the required documents, they must be certified and legalized by a notary. Moreover, if the original documents are sent by post these will be returned to the indicated correspondence address, after verification and analysis. A decision regarding the granting of Latvian citizenship by descent can be issued in about 4 months from the date of receipt of the documents by OCMA. However, it depends on this institution and the needs in terms of additional documents, plus the complexity of the case/applicant, and family roots.
However, in order to achieve the desired results without the risk that the file is incomplete, we advise you to work with our Latvian immigration lawyers. Our specialists will constantly communicate with clients regarding the status of the application.
Is dual citizenship allowed in Latvia?
The subject of dual citizenship in Latvia is quite delicate, in the sense that this status is not yet accepted. However, there are special cases, such as those involving Latvian citizens with relatives. In this sense, if you obtain Latvian citizenship by descent, you can also keep your original citizenship. Each situation has particularities, which is why we invite you to discuss it with our immigration lawyers in Latvia.
Statistical facts about Latvian immigration
Here are some statistical data about immigration to Latvia, provided by the UN Refugee Agency:
- Over 5,300 citizens received residency in Latvia in 2021, for a validity exceeding 12 months.
- Around 500 asylum applications were registered in Latvia in 2022 and approximately 753 in 2023.
We invite you to find out more about citizenship in Latvia by descent with our immigration specialists. Our law firm in Latvia will be at your disposal with specialized legal advice, so do not hesitate to contact us.