Requesting Documents from Abroad

Requesting documents is a possibility, while staying in Latvia, to request the documents you need from foreign countries.
To request documents from authorities abroad, a person must hand in to the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia an application and the document requisition form in 3 (three) copies.

One form must be completed in Latvian and two other forms - in the language of the country from which the document is requested. Forms in Latvian, Russian, English, German and French are available here (in digital format). For persons who wish to request the document from the Russian Federation, a special requisition form is available here.

The number, type and language of the forms to be completed may vary depending on the requirements of a specific foreign authority. Besides, in some countries documents can be requested only in person, then the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not able to provide the service.

The forms can be completed electronically or in legible handwriting. All three forms must be filled out in the original, copies are not accepted. The applicant must provide complete and accurate information and the forms must be signed by the applicant (also those in digital format).

The document requisition form has been adapted to requesting different categories of documents and, therefore, only the column pertaining to the requested document must be completed.

When filling out the form, please, observe the following:

For documents on the registration of birth, marriage, death etc.

specify the exact date and place of registration of birth, marriage; if required, also the individual's religion, denomination and parish. If requesting a certificate of birth, please give the parents' names, surnames and patronymics.

For the document of education

specify the exact name and address of the educational institution as well as the date of enrolment and graduation.

For the employment document

specify the exact name and address of the employer, its accountability, the period of work and position. If the individual has worked for a private employer, specify the employer's surname, name, patronymic and address.

For documents on pension granted abroad

specify when, for what, and by which organisation the pension was granted, when and by which organisation the last disbursement was made.

For documents on military service

specify the type of forces, military unit number, full name, subordination, location (republic, region, district, city, town or inhabited area), period of service (month, year), military rank and position, when the person was drafted and by which military registration and enlistment office. Completed a separate request form for each military unit and submit a copy of the record of service (if preserved).

For documents on persecution

specify the place of residence before persecution, type of persecution (concentration or filtration camps etc.), as well as the place and length of persecution.

For documents about property and nationalization

specify the type of property (name), location, legal status and changes thereof.

Consular fee for requesting documents from abroad

Upon submitting document requisition forms to the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a fee is collected according to the consular services price list.

• For a natural person or a legal entity – 10.- LVL per each document requested;
• For retired or politically persecuted persons residing in Latvia – 3.- LVL per each document requested, upon producing a retirement certificate of a certificate of or persecuted person.

Consular fees can be paid to the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs only by means of non-cash payment.

Visitors can make payments by payment cards (VISA, VISA Electron, Maestro, Master, American Express). When making a bank transfer, please, indicate the purpose of payment - consular services of document requisition; and the beneficiary - the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

Registration No.: 90000069065

Account No.: LV49TREL2110036038000

Valsts kase, Rīgas norēķinu centrs

Bank code: TRELLV22

Be aware that a certain country has set an additional fee for issuing documents.

The Consular Department can neither guarantee that a foreign authority will provide a reply, nor speed up the procedures for requesting documents from archives abroad.

In case of a negative reply, consular fees are not reimbursed.

Electronic version of document requisition form in Latvian can be completed here

Electronic version of document requisition form in English can be completed here

Electronic version of document requisition form in French can be completed here

Electronic version of document requisition form in German can be completed here

Electronic version of document requisition form in Russian can be completed here

A special requisition form for persons who wish to request the document from the Russian Federation, is available here