The Latvian Government requires the following documents before a foreign citizen can marry a Latvian. Please note that Latvia does not permit marriage between two same-sex individuals. Latvia recognizes both civil and church weddings.

Documentary requirements

• A statement that the U.S. 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 or residency permit. U.S. citizens staying less than 90 days are not required to present a visa.
• All documents issued in the United States must have an Apostille attached.
• Certified translations are normally required for all documents not written in Latvian. Please see the page Notary Services for more information on the authentication procedures.
• Latvian government or church officials have the right to request a statement from the Latvia`s State Language Agency establishing the correct spelling of foreigners’ names in the Latvian language.

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.Recognizing a Latvian marriage certificate in the United States. 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 United States.

Consular Department, MFA
Address:  57 Elizabetes street, Riga, LV-1395, Latvia
Telephone: +371 6701 6364