If you want to know how to renounce Latvian citizenship, here is the short answer. You file a written application with the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA, known in Latvian as PMLP). With it you send proof that you already hold, or have been guaranteed, another country’s citizenship, a copy of your Latvian passport or ID card, and proof that you paid the state fee. OCMA usually decides within one month of receiving all the required documents.
The decision to renounce is voluntary, but it is permanent in practice. This guide covers who can renounce, when the law may require renunciation, how to submit the application from abroad, and what happens afterwards, including whether citizenship can be regained.
Who Can Renounce Latvian Citizenship?
Under the Latvian Citizenship Law, a person can lose Latvian citizenship in two ways: by renunciation, which the person chooses, and by revocation (deprivation), which the state decides. This article is mainly about renunciation.
Section 23(1) of the Citizenship Law gives the right to renounce to a Latvian citizen who holds another country’s citizenship or has been guaranteed it. In practice, the answer to “can you renounce Latvian citizenship” is yes, as long as you will not be left without any citizenship. If you have no other citizenship and no guarantee of receiving one, you cannot use this procedure.
Living abroad does not, on its own, cause a person to lose Latvian citizenship. Section 6 of the law makes this clear. A Latvian citizen who has lived in the United States for decades stays a citizen until citizenship is lost on a legal ground.
When Renunciation Is Mandatory: The 30-Day Rule and Unpermitted Countries
Latvian dual citizenship rules let citizens keep Latvian citizenship together with the citizenship of certain countries, but not with every country. The law sets out the countries and situations where dual citizenship is permitted. These include, among others, EU, EFTA and NATO member states, and countries that have a dual-citizenship agreement with Latvia. OCMA publishes the current list.
If a Latvian citizen acquires the citizenship of a country outside the permitted group, the law generally expects that person to apply to renounce Latvian citizenship within 30 days of acquiring the other citizenship. This requirement does not apply where Latvian citizenship can be kept under the dual citizenship provisions.
These rules can depend on when and how the other citizenship was acquired, and the official list should be checked against the person’s own facts. Not filing a required renunciation application can have serious consequences, as explained in the section on revocation below.
Dual Citizenship Acquired as a Child: The Age 18–25 Choice
There is a separate rule for people who acquired a citizenship that is not permitted for dual holding while they were minors, and who kept Latvian citizenship. Under Section 23(3), between the ages of 18 and 25 that person must do one of two things:
- provide proof that the other, non-permitted citizenship has been lost, or
- apply to renounce Latvian citizenship.
This choice is aimed at people whose dual status arose without their own decision, for example through birth or a parent’s naturalisation. Anyone in this age range who is unsure whether their other citizenship is on the permitted list should check the current OCMA list before acting.
Documents Required to Renounce Latvian Citizenship
OCMA lists the following documents for the renunciation of Latvian citizenship:
- an application form (there are separate forms for adults and for children)
- a Latvian passport or ID card
- a document confirming that the applicant holds another citizenship, or has been guaranteed it
- proof of payment of the state fee
Documents issued outside the EU, EEA, the United Kingdom and Switzerland must be translated into Latvian and legalised. For US-based applicants, this usually applies to the US naturalisation certificate or other proof of US citizenship. OCMA may ask to see the original documents at any stage.
When applications are sent in writing, copies generally must be certified. Copies of identity documents are the exception. Discrepancies, such as different spellings of names across Latvian and foreign records, may lead OCMA to ask for more information, so it helps to check the documents for consistency before filing.
How to Submit the Application: OCMA (PMLP), eAddress, Post or a Latvian Embassy
OCMA accepts renunciation applications through several channels:
- eAddress, Latvia’s official electronic mailbox for communicating with state institutions.
- Email to OCMA’s designated address. The documents must be signed with a secure electronic signature.
- Post to OCMA’s office in Riga, at Čiekurkalna 1. līnija 1, k-3, Rīga, LV-1026.
Electronic routes depend on having a secure electronic signature or eAddress access that Latvian institutions accept. Many applicants living outside Latvia may not have either, so they may find post more practical.
Some applicants prefer to go through a Latvian embassy or consulate. OCMA advises people who want to submit through a diplomatic mission to first check with the nearest Latvian mission or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Services and requirements can vary from one mission to another.
State Fee and Processing Time
The state fee for renouncing Latvian citizenship is EUR 21.34. A reduced fee of EUR 7.11 applies to certain categories of people:
- victims of political repression
- persons with a Group I disability
- orphans and children left without parental care
- persons officially recognised as poor
The fee is paid to the Latvian Treasury, and proof of payment goes in with the application. Applicants paying from a US bank should allow for international transfer charges and make sure the payment reference clearly identifies them.
OCMA decides on the application within one month of receiving all the required documents. If documents are missing or have to be corrected, the timeline may in practice run from the date the file is complete, not from the date of first submission.
When an Application Can Be Refused
Renunciation is a right, but it has limits. Under Section 23(4) of the Citizenship Law, an application may be refused if the applicant has not met tax or other payment obligations to the State of Latvia.
An application may also fail to go ahead if the applicant cannot prove that they hold, or are guaranteed, another citizenship, since that is a basic condition of the procedure. Incomplete or untranslated documents usually lead to requests for more information rather than an outright refusal. Even so, they can delay the process considerably.
Renunciation vs. Revocation (Deprivation) of Latvian Citizenship
People asking how to lose Latvian citizenship, or whether you can lose Latvian citizenship involuntarily, are often mixing up two different legal mechanisms. Renunciation is started by the citizen. Revocation, under Section 24 of the Citizenship Law, is a state decision.
According to OCMA, the grounds for revocation include:
- acquiring another citizenship without filing a renunciation application when one was required
- serving in a foreign country’s armed forces without permission
- giving false information when proving entitlement to Latvian citizenship
- acting against the state order of Latvia
- supporting serious international crimes
Some of these grounds cannot be used in a way that would leave the person stateless. Whether revocation applies in an individual case depends on the facts, the evidence and the decision of the competent authorities. Revocation is not automatic in every situation where a ground might seem to exist.
Consequences of Renouncing Latvian Citizenship
Once OCMA approves the application and citizenship is lost, the person is no longer a Latvian citizen. The rights tied to Latvian citizenship generally end with it. These include the right to hold a Latvian passport, the political rights of a citizen, and the EU citizenship that comes from Latvian nationality. Practical matters such as residence rights in Latvia or the EU, property arrangements and pending administrative matters may need separate review.
Because renunciation requires another citizenship to exist or be guaranteed, the person should not become stateless as a result. Still, the latvian citizenship renunciation consequences can reach further than many people expect, especially for those who may want to live or work in Europe later. Renunciation should be treated as a long-term decision, not a formality.
Can You Get Latvian Citizenship Back After Renouncing?
Under the Citizenship Law, a person who renounced and lost Latvian citizenship can be readmitted only through naturalisation. People who want to reacquire Latvian citizenship after renunciation should therefore not expect a simple reinstatement.
Some readers come across the phrase “latvian citizenship restoration after loss” and assume the descent-based or restoration routes apply to them. For a person who personally renounced, the law points to naturalisation. Naturalisation has its own requirements and outcome, and the result depends on the individual’s circumstances and the authorities’ assessment.
Renouncing Latvian Citizenship From the United States
Most US-based Latvian citizens are not required to renounce. US citizenship is generally understood to fall within the permitted group, because the United States is a NATO member state. Readers should still confirm this against the current OCMA list, because the rules and lists can change.
For people who choose to renounce, the main practical points are these:
- arrange translation into Latvian and legalisation of US documents
- certify copies where required
- pay the fee by international transfer
- choose a submission route, usually post or a Latvian diplomatic mission after checking with it first
Before filing, it is sensible to check for any outstanding tax or payment obligations in Latvia, since unpaid obligations can be a ground for refusal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to renounce Latvian citizenship if I become a US citizen?
Not necessarily. Latvian law allows dual citizenship with a defined group of countries, including NATO member states, and the United States is a NATO member. Many Latvian citizens who naturalise in the US can therefore keep both citizenships. Because the rules depend on the official list and on when and how the other citizenship was acquired, it is advisable to check the current OCMA list against your own circumstances before relying on this.
Can I renounce Latvian citizenship if I have no other citizenship yet?
You can apply only if you already hold another citizenship or have been guaranteed one. A guarantee usually means an official confirmation from the other country that it will grant citizenship once Latvian citizenship is given up. Without that proof, OCMA is unlikely to process the application, because the procedure is designed to prevent statelessness.
Does my Latvian passport stay valid after renunciation?
Once citizenship is lost, the person is no longer entitled to the rights linked to Latvian citizenship, including holding a Latvian passport as a citizen. Former citizens should not plan to use a Latvian passport for travel after the decision takes effect. How the document itself is handled in practice, for example whether it must be returned, may depend on OCMA’s instructions in the individual case.
Can parents renounce Latvian citizenship on behalf of a child?
OCMA provides a separate application form for children, which means renunciation for a minor is handled through its own procedure. The specific requirements, such as consent and supporting documents, can depend on the family’s situation and the child’s other citizenship. A child who keeps dual citizenship that is not permitted may later face the age 18–25 choice described above.
How long does the renunciation of Latvian citizenship take?
OCMA decides within one month of receiving all the required documents. The total time from start to finish is often longer, because preparing translations, legalising documents, certifying copies and sending papers internationally takes time. Missing or inconsistent documents may lead to requests for more information, which can extend the overall timeline.
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