Persons who are descendants of Latvians often ask a typical question: “My ancestor lived in Latvia and emigrated. Can I apply for Latvian citizenship? Do I have to renounce my existing citizenship?” The answer to this question depends on several factors: is the applicant a Latvian; does he/she have evidence confirming that his/her ancestor was an ethnic Latvian; are there documents issued by Latvian institutions confirming the existence, residence and ethnicity of the ancestor, etc.
The applicant has the right to apply for Latvian citizenship if the following conditions are met:
- The applicant is a Latvian;
- One of his/her parents or grandparents is a Latvian;
- His/her direct ancestor lived in Latvia between 1891 and 1940;
- The applicant speaks Latvian.
Let’s look at these conditions in more detail.
Condition No. 1: “The applicant is a Latvian”.
The applicant can claim to be a Latvian if their documents indicate their nationality as “Latvian” or do not indicate any nationality. Nationality is usually not indicated in modern passports, but relevant information can be found in the applicant’s marriage certificate (which often indicates the nationality of the spouses) and in the birth certificates of their children (which often indicate the nationality of the parents).
Condition No. 2: “One of the applicant’s parents or grandparents is Latvian.”
Compliance with this condition is also confirmed by documents issued by the civil registry office: the nationality of the parents can be seen in the applicant’s birth certificate, as well as in their marriage certificate. The nationality of grandparents is checked in the same way.
Condition No. 3: “A direct ancestor of the applicant lived in Latvia between 1891 and 1940.”
The following documents can be used as evidence:
- civil status acts (birth, marriage, etc.) issued by the Latvian civil registry office or the Historical Archives of Latvia;
- extracts from the population censuses conducted in Latvia in 1896-1897 and in 1935; documents on payment of taxes in Latvia, conscription into the army, etc. These documents are under the jurisdiction of the Historical Archives of Latvia;
- a passport of a citizen of Latvia issued before the Second World War, or information from the archive that such a passport was actually issued.
Please note that all documents confirming the fact of the ancestor’s residence in Latvia must be issued by competent Latvian municipalities.
Condition No. 4: “The applicant speaks Latvian.”
This fact can only be confirmed in person by passing an exam organized by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs of Latvia. The required language level is A2. In case of failure, the exam can be retaken. The main thing is to pass it within a year from the date of filing the application for citizenship.
Law office Inlatplus, with extensive experience and knowledge in the field of migration law, can provide services for the execution of all necessary legal procedures for obtaining Latvian citizenship.
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