U.S. Citizen Services
Marriage in Latvia
The Latvian Government requires the following documents before a foreign citizen can marry a Latvian. Please note that Latvia does not permit marriage of two foreigners. Latvia recognizes both civil and church weddings.
Documentary requirements
• A statement that the American citizen is single and free to marry executed at the U.S.Embassy in Riga. Please note that there is a fee for affidavits.
• Certified copies of prior divorce decrees (if applicable).
• A certified copy of the death certificate, if a previous spouse is deceased.
• If one of the parties is under age 18, permission of parents or guardians is required. Only one party to the marriage may be under age 18. Persons under age 16 are not allowed to marry.
• For foreigners - a valid Latvian visa. U.S. citizens staying less than 90 days are not required to present a visa.
All documents issued in the United States must be apostilled. Certified translations are normally required for all documents not written in Latvian. Please see page Notarials and Legal Assistance for more information on the authentication procedures.
Latvian government or church officials have the right to request a statement from the Latvia State Language Agency establishing the correct spelling of foreigners' names in the Latvian language.
◊ Latvia State Language Agency
Lācplēša street 35-5
Rīga, LV-1011
Telephone: +371 6720-1680
Marriage
All the above documents must be submitted to the appropriate civil registration office or to the church of your choice. There is a mandatory one month waiting period.
The civil registration offices in Riga
• 21 Rupniecibas Street, tel: +371 6702-6670
• 4b Aglonas Street, tel: +371 6725-1383
• 8 Slokas Street, tel: +371 6761-2673
• 1 Zemgalu Street, tel: +371 6755-3450
Recognizing a Latvian marriage certificate in the U.S.
A Latvian marriage certificate must be apostilled by the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia to be recognized as valid in the USA.
◊ Consular Department, MFA
Elizabetes street 57
Rīga, LV-1395
Latvia
Telephone: +371 6701-6364