Process description
Submission of an application for changing the name, surname or nationality record
A person who wishes to change the given name, surname or nationality record shall submit the submission to Civil Registry Department of Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Latvia:
1) by post, sending to the address of Freedom Boulevard 36, Riga, LV-1536;
2) electronically, by sending to an e-mail dzimts.dep@tm.gov.lv, if the application has been signed with a secure electronic signature;
3) by sending from the official electronic address (e-address) to the addressee “Ministry of Justice”.
A person who wishes to change the given name, surname or nationality record may also submit the application in person to any local government family list department or diplomatic and consular representation in foreign states. When submitting the application, the person must present a valid personal identification document.
The sample of the application form shall be determined by Cabinet Regulation No. 183 of 22 March 2022, Regulations Regarding the Sample Submission Form for the Change of the Given Name, Surname and Nationality Record.
The approximate time of completion of the application from 7 to 10 minutes.Necessary documents for changing the name, surname or nationality record
The following documents shall be attached to the application for changing the given name or surname (given name and surname):
1) if the given name or surname (given name and surname) is changed by the minor person - the written consent of the parents. The written consent of the parent convicted of committing an intentional serious or particularly serious crime is not necessary;
2) if the given name or surname is changed by a minor person who is in custody - the written consent of the guardian and the decision of the Orphan's Court regarding the conformity of the name or surname change with the interests of the child;
3) if one of the documents for registration of civil status states has been drawn up in a foreign state, a person, when submitting a submission for the change of name or surname (given name and surname), shall present documents issued in a foreign state (i.e. a document regarding birth, entering into a marriage, regarding the birth of a minor child), which have been drawn up in conformity with the Cabinet Regulation of 22 August 2000 N ° 291 “Procedures for attesting the translation of documents into the official language” according to the procedures specified or with a notarially certified translation in accordance with Section 10, Paragraph three of the Law on the Language of the State;
4) if the reason for changing the given name or surname is difficult to participate in the company - a reasoned explanation as to why the existing given name or surname makes it difficult to participate in the company, and how the given name or surname chosen will facilitate inclusion in society;
5) if the reason for changing the given name or surname is a change in the sex of a person, a medical document issued by a medical treatment institution or a medical practitioner shall be presented, which shall certify a partial or total change of sex.
The following documents shall be attached to the application for change of nationality:
1) if the nationality record is changed by a minor - the written consent of the parents;
2) if the nationality record is changed by a minor person who is in custody - the written consent of the guardian and the decision of the Orphan's Court regarding the conformity of the change of nationality record with the interests of the child;
3) if the nationality record is intended to be changed against the nationality entry “Latvian” - an educational document or other document which certifies the proficiency of the official language of a person corresponding to the highest (third) degree, but in cases where the person is a disabled group 1, to whom the disability has been granted without a time limit, the vision, hearing or speech of Group 2 or person with disabilities or parent for a period of 75 years - an educational document or other document which certifies the proficiency of the official language of a person corresponding to the average (second) degree;
4) if one of the registration documents of civil status states has been drawn up in a foreign state, the person shall, when submitting an application for the change of nationality record, present the documents issued in a foreign state, namely the birth certificate, the birth certificate of the father or mother, or an extract from the birth register, which proves the person's relationship with the immediate relatives, and the documents confirming such person. nationality. The document, which has been issued in foreign states, must be attached in accordance with the procedures specified by the Cabinet (Cabinet Regulation No. 291 of 22 August 2000, Procedures by which translations of documents into the official language shall be certified) or a notarially certified translation in accordance with Section 10, Paragraph three of the Law on the official language;
5) if the nationality record is intended to be changed against the nationality entry “Libian (Liv)” and it is not possible to prove the ethnic origin by other documents - the opinion of the Libavian Organisation regarding the ethnic origin of the person.
If the submission has been submitted to the family list department or the diplomatic and consular representation of the Republic of Latvia in foreign states, the documents necessary for changing the name, surname or nationality record shall be sent to the Ministry of Justice Department for the taking of a decision regarding the permit or refusal for changing the name, surname or nationality record.Adoption of a decision on the authorisation or refusal to change the name, surname or nationality re
The Department of Justice Dzimtsaraksts shall take a decision regarding the permit or refusal for the change of the name, surname or nationality record within one month from the date of receipt of the submission and the documents attached thereto in the Department of Justice Department of Dzimtsaraksts.
A decision regarding an authorisation to change the given name, surname or nationality record or regarding a refusal to change the given name, surname or nationality record shall be sent by mail to the person in a registered mail to the address indicated in the application or electronically, signed with a secure electronic signature. The decision shall take effect at the time when it is notified to the addressee (if the decision is sent by post on the seventh day following its transmission by post, if the decision is sent electronically, on the following working day).
The change of name shall be refused if:
1) a person has been punished for committing a criminal offence and the criminal record has not been deleted or removed;
2) the reason for changing the given name or surname of the person does not conform to any of the reasons listed in the Law for changing the name, surname and nationality record;
3) the person has not submitted all the necessary documents;
4) the person has not paid the State fee.
The change of nationality record shall be refused if:
1) a person has already changed the nationality record after reaching legal age;
2) documents do not prove the degree of relationship and kinship of a person with a person whose nationality he or she wishes to acquire;
3) the person has not submitted all the necessary documents;
4) the person has not paid the State fee.Change of identity documents
A personal identification document shall become invalid for use when a decision regarding the change in the name or surname of the person has entered into force. After changing the name or surname, in order to receive a new personal identification document, the decision must be presented in the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs or in the diplomatic or consular mission of the Republic of Latvia within 30 days after the entry into force of the decision.