D: Applying for Latvian Citizenship

My parents or grandparents were born in Latvia - if I am a U.S. citizen now can I also be a Latvian citizen and how do I apply for citizenship?

As of October 1, 2013, if you are eligible and hold a passport from a country with which Latvia recognizes dual citizenship (e.g. the U.S.), you may be able to apply for Latvian citizenship. You can read further about the rules and regulations and how to apply at the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PLMP)

There are 3 categories of eligibility that you may apply under:

Exiles (those who were forced to leave Latvia between June 17, 1940 and May 4, 1990 due to foreign occupation) and their descendants who were born (and will have been born) by October 1, 2014

Latvia citizenship can be requested by those who were citizens of Latvia on June 17, 1940 and who fled occupation and left Latvia between June 17, 1940 and May 4, 1990, and for this reason did not return to Latvia, as well as their descendants, who will be born by October 1, 2014.  Dual citizenship is allowed with any other country!

 At the time of your birth at least one of your parents was a citizen of Latvia

In this case dual citizenship is allowed for those who are citizens of the member states of the European Union, the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), NATO or if you are a citizen of Australia, Brazil or New Zealand (children are eligible for dual citizenship with any country, but at age 25 will have to make a choice).

You are an ethnic Latvian or Liv

In requesting citizenship based on your ethnic origin you will be required to pass a language exam in Latvia.  You are allowed to maintain dual citizenship with any other country!

Please see this section of the PMLP website that details how to register, under what category you might be eligible, and what documents need to be supplied and what forms need to be completed with your application.

Applications for dual citizenship can be made directly through the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP) in Riga. Applications may no longer be sent to Washington D.C..

Documents must be sent by post to the Persons Status Control Division of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs at: Čiekurkalna 1. līnija 1, k-3, Riga, LV-1026, Latvia.

Here in Vermont we are happy to assist with any questions regarding the dual citizenship application, but all the processing is done by the PMLP office in Riga.

Click here for our FAQ on the steps and forms that you will need when applying for dual citizenship under the category of a descendant of a Latvian exile.

Please note, that from October 1, 2024, all submitted documents must be submitted in Latvian.

The translation of documents may be carried out by any individual who is fluent in Latvian. The translated document shall bear the following information: written confirmation that the translation is correct, name, surname, personal identity number and signature of the person who carried out the translation, place and date.

You can also use the services of a certified interpreter to translate documents.

Note, if you do not wish to supply originals of your documents to the PMLP you can send notarized copies of them. If you are sending copies of any official U.S. documents (like a U.S. birth certificate), then these need to also have an Apostille stamp on them (supplied by your local US Dept. of State Offices) in addition to the notary stamp. No other copies will be accepted. Your application form and request documents do not have to be notarized - only legal documents like passports and birth certificates, etc..

Please note, that if you hold a non-citizen passport issued by the Latvian government and you have acquired a U.S. passport, you are then no longer permitted to hold a Latvian non-citizen's passport. Your non-citizen Latvian passport must be returned to the Embassy of Latvia in Washington D.C. with a letter explaining when you acquired U.S. citizenship.

You can read more about the application steps and documents needed on the Embassy's website here.

Mobile Passport Station visits

The mobile passport station visits selected major U.S. cities once a year, including New York and Boston.

More information on upcoming visits and cities can be found here.