Return Certificate - document for returning to Latvia

Requirements for receiving Return Certificate (atgriešanās apliecība) – a single time travel document, issued for returning to Latvia

The Return Certificate is a temporary travel document, which assures the identity of a person under jurisdiction of the Republic of Latvia and replaces travel document (passport) issued by the Republic of Latvia.

The Return Certificate gives its holder the right to cross the border of the Republic of Latvia one time only, when returning from abroad.

The Return Certificate can be received if the person requesting it, while abroad, has lost his/her travel document issued by the Republic of Latvia (passport) or if the document has been stolen or has become invalid for further use.

In extreme situations, the Return Certificate can be issued within 24 hours time.

The validity of the Return Certificate is 30 days.

In order to receive a Return Certificate, the following documents must be submitted to the Embassy of Latvia:

1. Application form (in Latvian) for receiving Return Certificate (translation of the form can be found below);

2. the invalid Latvian passport or Former USSR inland and outland passport, personal identification document;

3. if the passport has been stolen – police report (if possible to get one) and explanation for loss of the passport;

4. if the passport has been lost – explanation for loss of the passport;

5. three passport size photos

6. money order (to the “Embassy of Latvia”) for $ 45.00 ( $25.00 – the fee for issuing the Return certificate; $20.00 – the cost of mailing the document to your specified address in USA. For children under 16 the fee for receiving the Return Certificate is $30.00)

After crossing the border of the Republic of Latvia, the person holding the Return Certificate must submit it to the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs regional department, based on the last registered permanent residence place and must apply for a new passport of the Republic of Latvia.

English translation of the application form for receiving Return Certificate

1. Name, Last name;
2. Date and place of birth;
3. Height (in cm) / eye color;
4. The permanent residence place (also can be USA address);
5. Personal identification number;
6. Legal status in Latvia (citizen, alien);
7. Document with which you traveled out of the Republic of Latvia;
8. * The number of previously mentioned document / issue date / issue place
9. When and under what circumstances the document became invalid;
10. * The permanent residence place abroad;
11. Information about persons under 18 with whom you are travelling (last name, name, date of birth);
12. Expected date of return to Latvia;
13. Countries planned to visit in transit, while returning to Latvia

Signature of applicant / Date

Notes:
1. * To be completed if the person has the necessary information.
2. You do not have to fill in fields “Signature” and “Date” if the electronic document has been prepared according to laws and regulations of electronic document execution.