E: Requesting official documents from Latvia

Requesting a specific document issued in Latvia

You can request a birth or marriage certificate; information about your relatives in Latvia; information about the duration of your employment in Latvia, real estate in Latvia, etc. Please visit the Latvian Embassy website for more details.

F: Getting a document Notarized for use in Latvia

Using official U.S. documents in Latvia

Before you can submit official U.S. documents to Latvia's official institutions, they need to be legally authorized with a special “Apostille” certification. In Vermont, an Apostille may be secured from the Vermont Secretary of State. For more information - click here.

Where can I get a document Notarized for use in Latvia?

The Consulate in Vermont does not perform any Notary functions. But there are other ways you can get a document Notarized for it to be accepted in Latvia: a) remotely via a video conference with a registered Notary in Latvia; b) by the Consular sections of the Embassy in Washington D.C.; or c) using a registered Notary here in Vermont.

a) remotely using a Notary in Latvia:

As of July 1, 2018, notarial functions can be carried out remotely by working with sworn notaries in Latvia.  In order to receive a notarization remotely, an initial video consultation with a notary must be arranged. This is done through Latvia’s sworn notary client portal www.latvijasnotars.lv

It is possible to apply for a video consultation through the portal by going to the section “Meklēt notāru” (Search for a Notary), selecting any notary and selecting the kind of document required - for example, online power of attorney.

The following are required for a video consultation:

• a quiet and bright space;

• a reliable internet connection;

• a computer, webcam, microphone and earphones or speakers;

• e-signature, Latvia passport or eID card,  as well as internet banking.  If you have not arranged for e-signature (in Latvia), you can receive it by requesting an eID card through the Embassy of Latvia - information is available here.

b) with the assistance of the Consular section of the Embassy of Latvia in Washington D.C.:

The Embassy performs the following notarial functions:

• issues powers of attorney and consents in the form of a notarial act only in cases of emergency consular assistance or for the representation of a child or person with limited capacity;

• confirms the authenticity of a signature (including the signature of a translator);

• confirms that the person is alive;

• confirms the document’s derivation and translation;

• issues extracts and copies from the register of notarial deeds.

The Embassy performs notarial functions for citizens of Latvia, Latvia’s non-citizens and persons with stateless, refugee or alternative status in Latvia only if the following conditions apply:

• The individual permanently resides in the U.S. or another country outside the consular jurisdiction of all other Latvia diplomatic missions and

• The individual has officially notified the Latvia Population Register about his/her residence address outside of Latvia.

 If an individual is a holder of a Latvia passport and is residing temporarily in the U.S or in another country outside the consular jurisdiction of all other Latvia diplomatic missions, the Embassy can perform notarial functions only in the case of consular assistance, that is, only in emergency situations which have arisen due to situations beyond the person’s control or due to unforeseen circumstances.

 The Embassy is able to perform notarial services for citizens of other countries (foreigners) in only one case – if it is essential for representing the interests of a child or a person with limited capacity – a Latvian citizen or non-citizen - and then only if the individual permanently resides in the U.S. or another country outside the consular jurisdiction of all other Latvia diplomatic missions.

The Embassy does not perform notarial functions for individuals representing a legal person.

In order to receive a notarial service, the person must arrive at the Embassy in person, by previous appointment only, for a specific meeting time and must have with them an acceptable identification document issued in Latvia.  Additional information on the process of receiving notarial services is available at the Consular Section of the Embassy, telephone 202-328-2886 or email: consulate.usa@mfa.gov.lv

c) using the services of a registered Notary in Vermont:

If the individual is unable to come to the Embassy in person, the notarial service can also be performed by a public notary in the United States.  Before submitting official U.S. documents (issued by the U.S. authorities or notarized by U.S. public notaries) to Latvia's official institutions, they must be authorized with a special Apostille certification, obtained from the Office of the Secretary of State where the document was originally issued or notarized.  After the document has reached Latvia, it must be translated into Latvian (if it is in English) and the signature of the translator must be confirmed by a sworn notary.

Please note that a power of attorney prepared at the office of a U.S. notary can be used in Latvia only if it meets the following requirements, both in content and format:

• the power of attorney has been prepared by a professional lawyer, who based on his/her education and position is entitled to perform actions corresponding to the functions of a sworn notary (for example, a sworn notary or lawyer in Latvia or a public notary in the U.S.); cannot be used against them; requirements stated in Latvia’s normative acts regarding the presence of witnesses and interpreters have been properly followed; the notarial act is signed in the presence of the notary.

• the participants’ true will and terms of the transaction have been identified, their statements have been noted clearly and unequivocally, the participants have been informed about any possible legal consequences so that ignorance of the law and lack of experience cannot be used against them;

• requirements stated in Latvia’s normative acts regarding the presence of witnesses and interpreters have been properly followed;

•  the notarial act is signed in the presence of the notary.

Important: In order to avoid misunderstandings regarding the use of U.S.-issued powers of attorney in Latvia, prior to drafting the document we ask that you consult the appropriate Latvia authority where the power of attorney will be used, as well as a sworn notary in Latvia about its content and format.

Prior to use in Latvia, a power of attorney issued by a U.S. notary must be certified with an “Apostille” issued by the corresponding State’s Office of the Secretary of State. After the power of attorney has reached Latvia, it must be translated into Latvian (if it is in English) and the signature of the translator must be certified by a sworn notary.

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.