Personal identification documents

What is a personal identity document?

There are two types of official personal identity documents:

• passport;
• personal identity card;

Personal identity card is also being called as eID card or eID.

A passport and eID card is issued to the citizen of the Republic of Latvia.

Important!

As of 1 January 2023 a personal identity card will be a mandatory document for everyone.

For some groups of persons the transition period for a personal identity card will be longer - by 31 December 2030.

Few of these groups of people are:

Disabled persons of group I;

Politically repressed persons;

Pensioners.

Full list of these groups is HERE.

A person may arrange both documents at the same  time - a passport as well as a personal identity card.

A person may arrange only a passport or only a personal identity card. 

A personal identity card is valid for travel in the countries of the European Union, European Economic Area and Switzerland.

You may need a passport for travel in many countries. For example, to England.

You should always check, what type of document is required for travel.

From what age a personal identity document is required?

The personal identity document is mandatory from 15 years.

A personal identity document should be received within 30 days after attaining the age of 15 years.

Do children need a personal identity document?

Children up to the age of 14 years do not need a personal identity document.

Children up to the age of 14 years may arrange a personal identity document as per need. For example, for travel abroad.

Where the personal identity document can be received?

Personal identity documents are issued by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs.

A passport and/or personal identity document shall be submitted to all territorial units of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs.

Documents may be arranged at any territorial unit of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs. Chose the most convenient place for you!

Documents are issued ONLY when applying in advance.

Please, use the mouth and nose covers in the premises of the office.

Documents abroad can be arranged at the consular or diplomatic representative office of the Republic of Latvia. Contact information HERE.

If a person cannot appear at the territorial unit of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs?

There are persons, who cannot appear in presence for the document due to health reasons. In such cases you should contact with the closest territorial unit of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs.

Employees of the unit will service the person at his or her place of location.

For how long the personal identity documents are valid?

A passport and personal identity card has a validity period.

A new document should be produced after expiry of the validity period.

A fine may be imposed for living without a valid personal identity document.

Important!

You should store your passport and personal identity card with care.

How to apply for personal identity documents?

What documents should be submitted in order to receive a personal identity document?

When submitting the personal identity document for the first time, the following should be presented:

• Birth certificate;
• Personal identity document of one parent.

When receiving a personal identity document repeatedly:

• a previous passport or personal identity card (eID card), if it is not valid for use.

When making changes in the personal identity document, the following should be submitted:

• a previous passport or personal identity card (eID card);
• a document confirming the changes in the personal data.

Who can submit the documents to the territorial unit of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs?

For children up to the age of 14 years the documents are submitted by one of the parents of the child. The child also has to be present.

As of the age of 15 years the documents are submitted by the person himself or herself.

Where to take photos for documents?

Photographs for documents are taken on site at the territorial unit of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs.

You do not need to pay extra for making photos. 

It may be difficult for small children to take photos on site at the unit.

It is possible to submit photographs produced by photographer’s studio.

Pictures should be made only by professional photographer’s studios.

Photograph cannot be older than 3 months.

Photographs taken in instant photo cabins are not valid.

How fast the personal identity documents are produced? And how much does it cost?

Discount for production of documents is:

• for children/youth up to 20 years of age;
• pensioners;
• persons reaching the age of pension;
• disabled persons of group I or II.

If a personal identity document is lost or stolen

A personal identity document can be lost or damaged. It can also be stolen.

You should immediately inform about that the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs or State Police.

You should inform the territorial unit of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs that issued the passport or personal identity card.

You should immediately inform the diplomatic or consular representative office of Latvia abroad. 

In case, when being abroad, the person does not have the second type of a personal identity card, the return card should be arranged.

Information about the return card can be received at the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: +371 26 33 77 11. The phone is available 24/7.

If a personal identity card with e-signature certificates therein is lost, call to the phone +371 6710 8787. This is the support service phone of SJSC Latvijas Valsts radio un televīzijas centrs (LVRTC).

You should ask to suspend the activity of the certificates without delay.