Requirements for receiving a Return Certificate (atgriešanās apliecība) – a single time travel document, issued for returning to Latvia or your permanent place of residence.
The Return Certificate is a temporary travel document, which assures the identity of a person under the jurisdiction of the Republic of Latvia and temporarily replaces the 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 or country of residence one time only, when returning from abroad.
The Return Certificate can be received only in emergency cases if the person requesting it, while abroad in a short-term visit, has lost his/her travel document issued by the Republic of Latvia (passport) or if the document has been stolen.
The document is valid for a given jorney, but for a maximum of 30 days.
In order to receive the Return Certificate, the following documents should be submitted to the Embassy of Latvia:
- Application form for receiving the Return Certificate;
- the invalid Latvian citizen’s or non-citizens passport, personal identification document or copy of the document proving person’s identity;
- if the passport has been stolen or lost – police report (if possible to get one) and explanation form regarding the loss of the passport;
- two passport size photos (35x45 mm, in color);
-
fee – 40 EUR (15 EUR – the fee for issuing the Return Certificate; 25 EUR – the cost of sending the document to your specified address in the USA via FedEx). After receiving the documents at the Embassy, the payment link will be sent to your indicated e-mail. The consular service will be provided after the payment is received.
To apply for the Return Certificate, you have to be present in person at the Embassy. In case that this is impossible, please send documents by mail and enclose a motivated application explaining the emergency and reasoning for inability to come to the Embassy.
Address of the Embassy of Latvia:
2306 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20008
After crossing the border of the Republic of Latvia, the person holding the Return Certificate is required to submit it to any regional department of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs and apply for a new passport of the Republic of Latvia.
In case of questions please contact the Consular Division of the Embassy by e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by telephone for consultations : +1 (202) 328-2878 (from Monday until Friday from 10:00 AM until 12:00 noon and from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM Eastern time).
The Return Certificates are also issued by several Latvian Honorary Consuls to the United States. In order to receive a Return Certificate, you have to contact in advance the respective Latvian Honorary Consul and schedule an appointment.
Honorary Consuls authorised to issue Return Certificates:
- Honorary Consul in South California Juris Buņķis: e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., phone number: +1 (949) 888-9700;
- Honorary Consul in South Caroline Roberts Jānis Kukainis: e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., phone number: +1 (864) 434-1656;
- Honorary Consul in Indiana Andris Pēteris Bērziņš: e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., phone number: +1 (317) 595-4572;
- Honorary Consul in Utah Džefrijs Kents Skots: e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., phone number: +1 (801) 652-0535;
- Honorary Consul in Texas Pīters Aloizs Ragaušs: e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., phone number: +1 (713) 304-3831;
- Honorary Consul in Vermont Daris Dēliņš: e-mail:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., phone number: +1 (917) 402-2853;
- Honorary Consul in Louisiana Walter Francis Wolf: e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; phone number: +1 (504) 528-9500;
- Honorary Consul in North California Laura Irene Ramanis: e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., phone number: +1 (925) 818-2170.