Guide to Obtaining the Country’s Passport in Latvia

Published on April 27, 2026 and written by Cyril Jarnias

Obtaining the country’s passport in Latvia, whether directly on site or via an embassy, is not something to be improvised. The procedure is strictly regulated, forms are only in Latvian, deadlines are strict, and rules vary depending on whether you are a citizen, non-citizen, resident abroad, or candidate for naturalization. This guide brings together, in a structured manner, the essential information drawn from official texts and embassy practices to understand how to get a passport, step by step.

Understanding What the Country’s Passport in Latvia Is

The country’s passport in Latvia is an official biometric document, burgundy in color, bearing the national coat of arms on the cover. It contains an electronic chip with a digital photo and fingerprints, as well as the holder’s civil status data. It serves both as a travel document and as proof of Latvian citizenship both inside and outside the territory.

In recent years, the passport model has been modernized with enhanced security features, including an increased page count of 42 pages to provide more space for visas and entry stamps, especially for holders traveling with registered children.

The main value of this document extends far beyond the country’s borders. The passport provides visa-free or streamlined access to a very large number of states and, above all, grants all the rights of a European Union citizen: freedom of residence, work, and study throughout the EU, access to national and European social systems, and consular protection.

Who Can Apply for the Country’s Passport in Latvia

To apply for a passport, it is not enough to be born, reside, or have ties to the country. The fundamental prerequisite is registration as a citizen or non-citizen in the Population Register, combined with a Latvian personal identity code. Without this registration, no passport or electronic identity card (eID) application can be processed.

For children, the possibility of applying for a passport exists once their data is entered in the register. Between 0 and 15 years old, it is the parents or legal guardian who carry out the procedures, but the child’s presence is mandatory when submitting. From 15 years old, the individual can submit their own application and, from 14 years old, receive their identity document in person. The law also requires possession of a valid eID from age 15.

Where and How to Submit Your Application

Two main channels exist for obtaining the country’s passport in Latvia: at the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA/PMLP) on the national territory, or through diplomatic and consular missions abroad. The choice depends on the place of residence and the ability to travel.

Abroad, everything goes through embassies and consulates. Representations may have their own appointment booking tools, but the principle is uniform: no application without a prior appointment, mandatory personal appearance for biometric data capture, and no mail-in procedure. The Latvian Embassy in Washington, for example, only receives by appointment via an electronic pre-registration system that opens slots six weeks in advance, updated every Monday.

In any case, only the applicant’s name should be entered in the pre-registration system: accompanying persons (children, spouses) do not book a separate slot, even if they are physically present.

Forms and the Language Barrier

An often underestimated aspect concerns the language of the forms. Passport and eID applications are only available in Latvian. This also applies to electronic signature activation forms. The applicant is legally responsible for understanding what they sign, which means being able to read the text or being assisted.

Documents to Provide Depending on the Situation

The basic set of documents varies depending on whether it is a first application, a renewal, a name change, or the replacement of a lost document. In all cases, the core of the application includes the duly completed Latvian form and a request related to the e-signature, since the eID and electronic functionalities are now central to identity management.

First Application for a New Citizen

For a first issuance after acquiring citizenship, the key element is the official OCMA decision granting nationality. This document certifies that registration in the register can be or has been done, and paves the way for the creation of a passport or eID.

The basic application then includes:

– the decision of admission to citizenship,

– the passport and/or eID application form,

– a request for activation of the electronic signature,

– any previously issued identity document (Latvian passport or eID, if applicable).

Renewal of a Passport or eID

In the case of a standard renewal, the procedure is simplified. It is generally enough to provide:

– the passport and/or identity card that is expiring or already expired,

– the application form for new documents.

The holder’s presence is nevertheless mandatory, because biometric data (photo, fingerprints) are captured again. This explains the closure of any postal route, even for simple renewals.

Application After a Name Change

When a change of name or surname occurs – often due to a marriage or divorce – it is not enough to present a civil status document. The Latvian legal system first requires the update in the Population Register. Once this modification is registered, the individual can apply for new documents.

The application then includes:

– the current passport and eID,

– the application form for new documents,

– if applicable, the documents justifying the change already recorded in the register.

Replacement in Case of Loss, Theft, or Destruction

The loss, theft, or destruction of a document triggers a dual process. First, the incident must be reported without delay to the competent authorities: issuing service, police, border guards, or diplomatic mission, depending on where you are. Then, a period of 30 days is given to submit a replacement application if no other valid document is available.

The replacement application includes at minimum:

– a formal declaration of loss, theft, or destruction of the document,

– a new passport and/or eID application form.

For minors under 15, only a parent or guardian holding Latvian citizenship can request this new document, always in the presence of the child.

Note that a passport declared lost and later found immediately ceases to be valid: it can no longer be used as proof of identity or as a travel document.

Special Rules for Minors

The rules concerning children are among the most detailed. Any minor, regardless of age, must appear in person for photo taking and fingerprint collection if required by law. Until age 15, the application is submitted by a parent or guardian who shows their own passport. This parent must themselves be a Latvian citizen for the child’s passport to be issued.

For very young children, accommodations are made for photo taking. Embassies generally take photos on site, but parents must judge whether their child is able to sit still. If not, they are asked to bring a compliant photo (35 x 45 mm, light background, no glasses), sometimes taken in a studio or at home.

Validity and Older Generations of Passports

Latvia has issued several series of passports over the years. The oldest ones, particularly the blue documents with glued photos and those without an expiration date, have long been invalid as travel documents. The authorities set two important milestones.

Another generation, including Latvian citizen passports issued between July 2002 and November 2007 with a validity of 50 years, as well as purple non-citizen passports issued between April 1997 and November 2007, lost all validity for international travel as of November 1, 2010, even though these documents may remain as proof of residence in Latvia until their expiration date.

More recent passports, with digitized signature and photo, remain valid until the date indicated, provided they are not damaged or officially canceled.

Cost of the Passport and eID

The fees to be paid depend on the place of application (in Latvia or abroad), the age of the applicant, possible use of an expedited procedure, and any privileged category (children, retirees, disabled persons, refugees, etc.). In addition, there are distinctions between state fees and consular fees.

Example of Fee Schedule at an Embassy

In the case of the embassy in Washington, as of a certain regulatory threshold, the following amounts are mentioned:

Other tables reflect slightly different rates for other periods or diplomatic posts, for example, a passport billed at €94, a passport + eID package at €119, or shipping fees of only €10. Some consulates also indicate a cost of €70 for a standard passport for ages 20-64 and €55 for under 20 and over 65, with a combined package at €75.

New State Fees and Expedited Deadlines

The Latvian authorities have adopted a gradual increase in state fees. The texts provide for example:

Reduced rates are nevertheless maintained for minors under 20, persons who have reached the legal retirement age, holders of an old-age pension, persons with recognized disabilities (groups I or II), refugees or persons under subsidiary protection, and certain categories fully dependent on the state or local authorities.

Payment and Practical Considerations

At OCMA offices as well as embassies, payment is mainly made by bank card (VISA, MasterCard, Maestro, etc.). In some cases, a bank transfer is accepted, but diplomatic representations prefer on-site payment by terminal. If using another person’s card, that person must be present with identification.

Processing Times and Emergencies

Most Latvian missions abroad announce an average processing time of 6 to 8 weeks for producing and shipping a passport or eID, which includes the time for data transmission to OCMA, document production in Latvia, and return to the embassy. Embassies frequently state that an application may take “up to six weeks” to complete.

In case of extreme urgency to return to Latvia when the passport is expired, lost, or stolen, embassies can issue a temporary travel document, often referred to as an Emergency Travel Document for single use. The embassy in Washington can process the request while the New York consulate handles physical delivery of the document.

Upon return to the country, this travel document must be immediately handed over to OCMA and cannot be used for other trips. It in no way replaces a real passport.

Managing Critical Situations: Loss, Theft, Illegitimate Documents

When a passport or eID is lost, stolen, or seized by an authority, the obligation is clear: notify without delay the OCMA, police, border guards, or, abroad, the nearest diplomatic post. This notification allows the document to be neutralized in the systems and reduces the risks of identity theft.

Note that Latvia refuses to recognize certain foreign emergency documents as a basis for visa-free travel. This is the case with the 12-page U.S. emergency passport, issued by U.S. embassies and consulates, which is not accepted for visa-free entry. Travelers then risk being denied boarding or admission at the border and may have to wait for the first available return flight.

The Special Case of the eID Card for Foreigners

Beyond the national passport, the Latvian system provides an electronic identity card specifically intended for foreigners, called the “foreigner’s eID“. This document is used for identification both in the digital environment and in person, with banks, notaries, and administrations.

To obtain it, the foreigner must first be registered in the Population Register and obtain a Latvian personal identity code. Embassies can carry out this registration for individuals contributing to the development of the country’s economic, scientific, educational, or cultural relations.

This system is not a direct stepping stone to citizenship but an identification tool that facilitates access to services and, de facto, the administrative integration of people called to interact durably with Latvia.

Becoming a Citizen Before Applying for the Passport

For candidates who are not yet citizens, access to the passport necessarily requires a prior step: obtaining citizenship. Several paths exist, including by descent (“by origin”), standard naturalization, repatriation, or, more marginally, marriage. There is, however, no direct “passport for investment” program.

The naturalization application includes notably an application form, an identity document, proof of residence, proof of income, a 3 x 4 cm photo, a certificate of no criminal record, and proof of payment of the state fee, set at €28.46 (with a reduced fee of €4.27 for low-income individuals). Foreign documents must be translated into Latvian and authenticated.

If the answer is positive, the future citizen is summoned to take an oath of loyalty to the Republic of Latvia. They must then, depending on the case, attest to the renunciation of their previous nationality, unless dual citizenship is permitted in their situation. Only after their registration in the Population Register as a citizen can the passport application procedure begin.

Dual Citizenship and Non-Citizens: A Delicate Balance

Latvian legislation strictly regulates dual citizenship. The general principle is non-tolerance of two nationalities, but many exceptions exist. Notably allowed to retain or acquire another citizenship while remaining Latvian are: citizens of EU member states, NATO or the European Economic Area, nationals of certain countries like Australia, Brazil, or New Zealand, or persons of Latvian origin with a historical connection to the country.

The situation of non-citizens remains, for its part, more rigid. As soon as a non-citizen obtains the nationality of another state, they must renounce their status within 30 days. This withdrawal entails the impossibility of renewing the non-citizen passport and the obligation to inform OCMA. The transition to Latvian citizenship is not automatic: it requires passing the naturalization or repatriation procedure.

Why the Country’s Passport in Latvia Is So Sought After

Beyond the symbolic dimension, the country’s passport in Latvia provides a series of very concrete advantages. In terms of international mobility, it allows visa-free or streamlined travel to a large number of countries, with estimates ranging around 169 to over 170 destinations according to rankings. In practice, it opens without special formalities the entire Schengen area, the United Kingdom, a majority of European countries, and many destinations in the Americas, Asia, and Oceania.

Political rights also expand: voting in local and European elections in the country of residence, participation in Latvian democratic life, consular protection by any EU member state embassy when Latvia is not represented.

To this are added economic and social benefits: access to social security systems, European health coverage, the ability to invest and purchase real estate throughout the EU without additional procedures, facilitated use of European banking services and international payment networks.

Practical Tips for a Successful Application

To maximize your chances of quickly obtaining the country’s passport in Latvia, several reflexes should be adopted. The first is to check and, if necessary, update your data in the Population Register before booking an appointment. An unregistered change of address or name can block the processing of the application.

The second is to anticipate deadlines, especially if you depend on an embassy. Given the 6 to 8 weeks average processing time, it is wise to start the procedure well before the current document expires or before a planned trip. Expedited options are more limited abroad than in the country.

Finally, for naturalization candidates, long-term planning is essential. Between the ten years of legal residence, language preparation, civic knowledge exams, and processing times, the path to the passport can extend over more than a decade. Specialized citizenship law firms in Riga, with extensive experience in successful cases and even litigation before the Supreme Court, regularly accompany these complex journeys.

Conclusion

Obtaining the country’s passport in Latvia requires respecting a very precise legal and administrative framework. Whether it is renewing an expired document, replacing a lost passport, providing a child with a first document, or realizing a long-prepared naturalization, the same principles apply: accurate registration in the national register, in-person application, forms in Latvian, payment of fees, biometric data collection, and, in the background, a citizenship policy that prioritizes stability, language, and real roots in Latvian society.

This level of requirement may seem high, especially for candidates coming from far away, but it is explained by the stakes: issuing a passport that opens not only the doors of Latvia, but those of the entire European Union and a vast network of partner countries. For those who meet the conditions, this document becomes a true passport of mobility, security, and opportunities.

Latvian authorities

Cyril Jarnias

Cyril Jarnias is an independent expert in international wealth management with over 20 years of experience. As an expatriate himself, he is dedicated to helping individuals and business leaders build, protect, and pass on their wealth with complete peace of mind.

On his website, cyriljarnias.com, he shares his expertise on international real estate, offshore company formation, and expatriation.

Thanks to his expertise, he offers sound advice to optimize his clients' wealth management. Cyril Jarnias is also recognized for his appearances in many prestigious media outlets such as BFM Business, les Français de l’étranger, Le Figaro, Les Echos, and Mieux vivre votre argent, where he shares his knowledge and know-how in wealth management.

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