Residence Permit in Latvia on the Basis of Marriage

A foreign national who has married a person holding a permanent residence permit in Latvia (a resident) is entitled to follow the same procedure for obtaining a temporary and then permanent residence permit.

Marriage to a citizen or non-citizen of Latvia does not create any issues regarding citizenship in the applicant’s country of origin.

Who Is Eligible for a Latvia Residence Permit Based on Marriage

This permit is an option for foreign nationals who:

Documents for Marriage Registration and Residence Permit Application

To register a marriage in Latvia, it is necessary to provide a certificate of civil status / certificate of eligibility to marry, issued at the applicant’s place of actual residence or by the consular office of the applicant’s country of origin.

To obtain a Latvia residence permit for a spouse, it is necessary to legalise the marriage certificate, birth certificates, certificates of no criminal record, and other official documents. Depending on the stage of the process, PMLP (Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs) may also require proof of a declaration of residence Latvia and a valid ID card Latvia.

Legal Considerations Worth Knowing

The Latvian migration authorities are entitled to verify the genuineness of the marital relationship — through cohabitation checks, interviews, and supporting documents. In practice, PMLP pays close attention to whether the couple is actually living together, so be prepared to demonstrate this from the start.

If the marriage is dissolved, the right to renew the latvia residence permit marriage may be lost.

Rights Under a Marriage-Based Residence Permit