In brief
The legal assistance treaty between Latvia and Russia was denounced in 2024, so Russian documents for Latvian authorities now need an apostille. Latvia has no sworn translators: the translator certifies a Latvian translation personally with the note “TULKOJUMS PAREIZS”. Certificates for a residence permit are valid for 6 months; civil registry certificates have no time limit. We obtain the documents in Russia without you travelling, apostille them, translate them and send the originals to Latvia.
Which Russian documents are most often needed in Latvia
- Criminal record certificate — for visas and residence permits: from your country of citizenship or any country where you have lived for more than 12 months (for applicants over 14).
- Civil registry (ZAGS) certificates — birth, marriage, divorce; duplicate certificates to replace old Soviet forms.
- Education documents — for work and study.
Apostille
Since 2024, Russian documents for Latvia need an apostille. Only the Russian authority that issued the document or is responsible for it can apostille it: the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) for a criminal record certificate, the regional civil registry office (ZAGS) for certificates, the education authority for diplomas. We arrange this without you having to travel.
Translation into Latvian
Latvia has no sworn translators. The translator certifies a Latvian translation personally: the last page bears the note “TULKOJUMS PAREIZS”, the translator’s first name and surname, personal identity code, signature, place and date. We translate in this form. Translation from Russian into Latvian: €15 per translation page (1,800 characters).
How long documents remain valid
| Document | Validity for a residence permit |
|---|---|
| Certificates and letters, including the criminal record certificate | 6 months from the date of issue |
| Civil registry certificates, court decisions, education documents | no time limit |
Prices
- Criminal record certificate with apostille: from €115 — turnaround times and prices.
- Duplicate ZAGS certificate: from €65; apostille from the Moscow ZAGS: €60.
- Apostille on a diploma or school-leaving certificate: €95.
The state fee for the apostille is included in the price. Delivery to Latvia is charged at the courier’s rate. Euro prices are based on the Bank of Russia exchange rate on 22.10.2026.
Frequently asked questions
Russian documents used to be accepted without an apostille. What has changed?
The exemption applied under the 1993 legal assistance treaty between Latvia and Russia. The law denouncing it came into force on 3 February 2024, and the treaty remained in effect for another 6 months. Latvian authorities now require an apostille, including on documents issued earlier.
Does a criminal record certificate for a residence permit need to be translated?
According to the European Migration Network, for visas and residence permits the certificate is accepted in Latvian, English, French, German or Russian. Other authorities may need a translation into Latvian — check in advance or ask us.
Who can translate a document for Latvia?
Latvia has no sworn translators. The translator certifies the translation: the last page bears the note “TULKOJUMS PAREIZS”, the translator’s name, personal identity code, signature, place and date. New rules for certifying translations are being prepared in 2026 — we are following them.
Sources
- LV portāls — denunciation of the Latvia–Russia legal assistance treaty (30.01.2024) — checked 22.10.2026
- Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Foreign public documents intended for use in Latvia — checked 22.10.2026
- e-Justice — Public documents: Latvia (certification of translations) — checked 22.10.2026
- PMLP — Validity period of documents — checked 22.10.2026
- EMN Ad-Hoc Query 2025.68 — Criminal record certificates (January 2026) — checked 22.10.2026
This is general information, not legal advice. Requirements may differ between authorities: please confirm them before you submit your documents. Legal notice