Factsheet

Disclaimer: The following is intended as a very general guide to assist U.S. citizens who plan to adopt a child in Latvia and apply for an immigrant visa for the child to come to the United States. Two sets of laws are particularly relevant: 1) the laws of Latvia govern all activity in Latvia including the adoptability of individual children as well as the adoption of children in country. 2) U.S. Federal immigration law governs the immigration of the child to the United States. The information in this flier relating to the legal requirements of specific foreign countries is based on public sources and our current understanding. It does not necessarily reflect the actual state of the laws of Latvia and is provided for general information only. Moreover, U.S. immigration law, including regulations and interpretation, changes from time to time. This flyer reflects our current understanding of the law as of this date and is not legally authoritative. Questions involving foreign and U.S. immigration laws and legal interpretation should be addressed respectively to qualified foreign or U.S. legal counsel.

PLEASE NOTE: From time to time, Latvia revises its laws pertaining to adoption process, including international adoption. Please check with the U.S. Embassy in Latvia for the most current information. Their email address is: contact the Consular Section: AskConsular@USRiga.lv

On March 11, 2003, the Cabinet of Ministers of Latvia revised the Adoption Law delegating the adoption supervision function to the Ministry for Family and Children’s Rights and requiring that a parent-child relationship be established before the final adoption court decision can be made. Although local courts are authorized to demand that adoptive parents share a household with the adoptive child for up to six months to establish the relationship, in most cases thus far, the courts have decided that the required relationship can be established within several weeks. See also information below about residential requirements.

There is some popular opposition in Latvia to the adoption of Latvian children by foreigners. This has contributed to a reluctance to reform international adoption procedures, which entail several extended trips by adoptive parents to Latvia to complete all requirements.

The American Embassy in Riga is responsible for preparing the I-604, Report of Orphan Investigation. However, the American Embassy in Warsaw, Poland is responsible for the issuance of all immigrant visas for applicants from Latvia, including adopted children.

Credits: U.S. Department of State