A return certificate is a temporary travel document which may be received by a citizen of Latvia, a non-citizen or a stateless person who has a valid residence permit in the Republic of Latvia, or a refugee who has been recognized as such in accordance with the Asylum Law. This document certifies the identity of the person under the jurisdiction of the Republic of Latvia and replaces the travel document (passport or identity card) issued by the authorities of the Republic of Latvia.
The return certificate shall entitle the recipient to cross the State border of the Republic of Latvia once, return to Latvia or the State of permanent residence. The purpose of return certificate is for direct journey home only, this document is not intended for travel to other countries.
After crossing the State border of the Republic of Latvia, you must hand over the return certificate to any department of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs of the Ministry of the Interior and apply for new passport of the Republic of Latvia there.
The return certificate shall be issued as an emergency document to a person who is temporarily staying abroad in order to return to his permanent residence. Latvian nationals, whose permanent place of residence is in a foreign state and who have lost their documents, shall apply for new passport and/or eID card at the respective representation of Latvia.
The document is valid for the duration of the respective journey and may not exceed 30 days.
In order to request a return certificate at the Embassy, the following documents shall be submitted:
- Application form. In case the return certificate is required for a minor under the age of 15, the parents must fill out the application;
- The invalid passport of a citizen or non-citizen of the Republic of Latvia, or an identity card or any document, or a copy of the document certifying the identity of the person (if any is at the disposal of the person);
- If the passport / eID card is stolen or lost: a written explanation of the person regarding the circumstances of the theft, loss or destruction of the personal document and a police statement (if it is possible to obtain one);
- Two passport size photos in the format of 35x45 mm;
- State fee for the issuance of a return certificate in amount of 15.00 EUR.
If you can't show up at the embassy in person, please send the documents to the embassy by post, accompanied by a motivated explanation about the emergency and the circumstances why you can't show up in person. The application must also indicate the exact address to which the return certificate drawn up is to be sent and, in addition, pay a consular fee of EUR 20 for sending documents by courier to MRW.
In Barcelona, return certificates for Latvian nationals are issued by the Latvian Honorary Consul in Barcelona.
Please contact the honorary consul prior submitting documents for return certificate:
Phone: +34 931226263; Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
