U.S. Embassy Riga

Samnera Velsa iela 1 
Riga LV-1510
Latvia
Telephone: +(371) 6710-7000
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(371) 6710-7000 or +(371) 2920-5708
Fax: +(371) 6710-7001
Email: askconsular-riga@state.gov

Latvia and the United States have been treaty partners under the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (Hague Abduction Convention) since May 1, 2007.

For information concerning travel to Latvia, including information about the location of the U.S. Embassy, the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, entry/exit requirements, safety and security, crime, medical facilities and health information, traffic safety, road conditions and aviation safety, please see country-specific information for Latvia.

The U.S. Department of State reports statistics and compliance information for individual countries in the Annual Report on International Child Abduction. The report is located here. 

The U.S. Department of State serves as the U.S. Central Authority (USCA) for the Hague Abduction Convention.  In this capacity, the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, Directorate for Overseas Citizens Services, Office of Children’s Issues facilitates the submission of applications under the Hague Abduction Convention for the return of, or access to, children located in countries that are U.S. treaty partners, including Latvia.  Parents are strongly encouraged to contact the Department of State for assistance prior to initiating the Hague process directly with the foreign Central Authority.

Contact information:

U.S. Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Office of Children's
CA/OCS/CI
SA-17, 9th Floor
Washington, DC 20522-1709
Website:  travel.state.gov
Email: AbductionQuestions@state.gov

The Latvian Central Authority for the Hague Abduction Convention is the Children Affairs Cooperation Division within the Ministry of Justice.  The Latvian Central Authority has an administrative role in processing the Hague Abduction Convention applications, which involves reviewing applications for completeness, exploring possible voluntary solutions if appropriate, and submitting applications to the appropriate court.  The Latvian Central Authority (LCA) can be reached at:

Ministry of Justice
Children Affairs Cooperation Division
Brivibas Blvd. 36
Riga, LV-1536
Latvia
Telephone: +371 6703 6801
Fax: +371 6721 0823
E-mail: tm.kanceleja@tm.gov.lv
Website:

To initiate a Hague case for return of, or access to, a child in Latvia, the USCA encourages a parent or legal guardian to review the eligibility criteria and instructions for completing the Hague application form located at the Department of State website and contact the Department of State for assistance prior to initiating the Hague process directly with the LCA.  The USCA is available to answer questions about the Hague application process, to forward a completed application to the LCA, and to subsequently monitor its progress through the foreign administrative and legal processes. 

There are no fees for filing Hague applications with either the United States or Latvian central authorities.  The LCA assigns a pro bono (no fee) attorney to represent parents making an application for return or access under the Hague Abduction Convention.  Additional costs may include airplane tickets for court appearances and for the return of the child, if so ordered.

A parent or legal guardian may file an application under the Hague Abduction Convention for return to the United States of a child abducted to, or wrongfully retained in Latvia.  The U.S. Department of State can assist parents living in the United States to understand whether the Convention is an available civil remedy and can provide information on the process for submitting a Hague application.

A person may file an application under the Hague Abduction Convention for access to a child living in Latvia.  The criteria for acceptance of a Hague access application vary from country to country.  The U.S. Department of State can assist parents living in the United States to understand country-specific criteria and provide information on the process for submitting a Hague application.

The LCA will arrange for a pro bono attorney to represent applicant parents who are seeking a child’s return (or access to a child) under the Hague Abduction Convention. While it is the LCA that actually files the Hague petition with the appropriate Latvian court, the LCA-appointed attorney will represent the applicant thereafter.  An applicant parent is not required to retain an attorney privately, and if he/she elects to do so, the applicant parent is responsible for all legal costs.  A private attorney should contact the LCA prior to filing a Hague return application directly with the court. 

The U.S. Embassy in Riga, Latvia, posts a list of attorneys, including those who specialize in family law.

This list is provided as a courtesy service only and does not constitute an endorsement of any individual attorney. The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the persons or firms included in this list. Professional credentials and areas of expertise are provided directly by the lawyers.

The LCA does not provide mediation services directly, although the LCA is available to provide referrals and information about the mediation process. Some of the child services offices in the larger municipalities have their own in-house mediators available to assist. Parents are responsible for mediation costs and mediation can occur at any stage of the Hague process.  The Latvian legal system allows for mediation on a variety of issues including access, custody, child support, and property issues.