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Citizenship Law

Original Language Title: Pilsonības likums

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The Saeima has adopted and the President promulgated the following laws: the law of citizenship the first chapter general terms used in the law — the foreign citizen Alien (alien).
Stateless person — a person without citizenship (citizenship).
Dual citizenship: a person's affiliation to the multiple nationality (citizenship).
Naturalization: the reception nationality.
Descendants-descendants ' relatives in a straight line.
1. article. Latvian citizenship (1) citizenship of Latvia's personal legal link with sustainable Latvian nation.
(2) the content of citizenship of Latvia consists of the citizens and the State are interconnected set of rights and obligations.
2. article. Membership of Latvian citizenship to citizens of Latvia are: 1) the persons who were citizens of Latvia on 17 June 1940, and the descendants of those persons enrolled in the procedure prescribed by law, except persons who after 4 May 1990 's got other nationality (citizenship);
2) people who naturalised or otherwise acquired Latvian citizenship law;
3) children found in the territory of Latvia and whose parents are not known;
4) children who have no parents and living in Latvia or in children's boarding school;
5) children who their birth parents are citizens of Latvia, irrespective of the place of birth of the child.
3. article. A child's citizenship if one of his parents is a citizen of Latvia (1), if the child's birth one of his parents is a citizen of Latvia, and the other for the alien, the child is a citizen of Latvia, if he: 1) was born in Latvia;
2) was born outside Latvia, but parents or from them, with whom the child lives, the habitual residence of the child's birth been in Latvia.
(2) in the cases mentioned above, parents may, by mutual agreement, choose another child (not Latvian) nationality (citizenship).
(3) if the child's birth one of his parents is a citizen of Latvia, and the other for the alien and the habitual residence of both parents is outside Latvia, the child's nationality (citizenship) determined by the parents by mutual agreement.
(4) if the child's birth one of his parents is a citizen of Latvia, and the other for a stateless person or unknown, the child is a citizen of Latvia, irrespective of the place of birth.
4. article. The equality of citizens of Latvia, Latvian citizens regardless of the type of citizenship rights and obligations are equal.
5. article. Latvia's citizenship rights by preserving marriage (1) citizens of Latvia into marriage with an alien or stateless person, as with such divorce Latvian nationals do not lead to citizenship.
(2) one spouse obtaining or losing citizenship of Latvia, the citizenship of the other spouse does not change.
6. article. Latvian citizenship retention outside the territory of Latvia persons residing in Latvia's citizens living outside the territory of Latvia, regardless of its duration does not cause loss of the citizenship of Latvia, except as provided in this law.
7. article. The protection of citizens of Latvia, Latvian citizens abroad in foreign countries is national defense.
8. article. Not permissible to issue abroad and expelled from the country the Latvian nationals (1) of the Republic of Latvia of its nationals does not succeed abroad.
(2) the Latvian citizen can be deported from Latvia.
9. article. Dual citizenship (1) a Person who is Latvian citizenship may not be up to dual citizenship.
(2) If a citizen of Latvia in accordance with foreign law may also be considered at the same time, a foreign citizen (nationality), the Republic of Latvia tiesībattiecīb he considered only for the Latvian citizen.
The second chapter the naturalization rules and agenda article 10. Right to acquire Latvian citizenship through naturalization procedure upon request of persons can be admitted in the Latvian citizenship naturalization procedure.
11. article. The naturalization restrictions (1) citizenship of Latvia is not admitted persons: 1) unconstitutional methods have turned against the independence of the Republic of Latvia, the parliamentary democratic country or existing State power in Latvia, where it is found in the judgment of the Court of Justice;
2) after 4 May 1990, expressed fascism, chauvinism, National Socialist, Communist or other totalitarian ideas or musinājuš to national or racial hatred or Concord if it found with the judgment of the Court of Justice;
3) is a foreign Government, regulatory or law enforcement officials;
day 4) foreign armed forces, the internal troops, the security services or the police (militia);
5) after 17 June 1940 the Republic of Latvia has chosen the place of residence shall immediately following the demobilizēšan of the USSR (Russian) armed forces or the USSR (Russia) and the internal troops servicemen conscription or enrolment day not permanently resident in Latvia. This limitation does not apply to article 13, first paragraph, 1, 6, and 7 and in the fifth subparagraph, such persons;
6) is a former Soviet (MINISTER) in the KGB or other security service, foreign intelligence services or other special services officers, informants, agents or the holders of conspiratorial apartment, if this fact is found in the procedure prescribed by law;
7) in Latvia or any other country has been sentenced to imprisonment for more than a year for a deliberate crime, which is a crime in Latvia this law into force;
8) after the 1991 13.janvāra acted against the CENTRAL COMMITTEE of the Republic of Latvia (LCA), the Latvian SSR darbaļaužu international front, corporate joint Council, and the work of war veterans organization, all-Latvia salvation Committee or its regional committees.
(2) if the person who submitted the application for naturalization, is called a criminally, its application is not considered until the final judgment of the Court of Justice.
12. article. Naturalization General provisions (1) in the Latvian citizenship through naturalization procedure can take only persons who are registered in the population register and: 1) which the naturalization application submission permanent residence for not less than five years has been in Latvia as of 4 May 1990 (who arrived in Latvia after 1 July 1992, the five-year period is counted from the permanent residence permit);
2) which able to Latvian language;
3) that know Latvia's constitutional and constitutional law «human and citizen rights and obligations» basic rules;
4) that knows the text of the national anthem and Latvian history;
5) which have a legal source of livelihood;
6) which is given a promise of fidelity to the Republic of Latvia;
7) which has submitted a notification of the waiver from your previous nationality (citizenship) and have received previous nationality (citizenship) expatriation permit, if the law of this State, or to citizenship (citizenship) proof of loss;
8) not covered by this law, referred to in article 11 of the naturalization restrictions.
(2) the order in Latvian citizenship through naturalization may admit only individuals who meet all of the first paragraph of this article.
(3) the first subparagraph of paragraph 7 of the terms do not apply to citizens of the former USSR, which 4 May 1990 constantly lived in Latvia and who have no other nationality (citizenship). Notice of abandonment of your previous nationality (citizenship), the expatriation permit or citizenship (citizenship) losing identity document must be submitted after the person has been officially notified that another obstacle to its admission to citizenship of Latvia does not.
(4) the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia and the constitutional law «human and citizens ' rights and obligations ", the national anthem of the framework text and knowledge of Latvian history test procedures shall be governed by the provisions of the Cabinet of Ministers.
(5) Submit a naturalisation application, the person must pay the State fee within the Cabinet.
(6) a Person whose application for citizenship matters rejected may re-submit a year after the previous decision.
13. article. Naturalization outside row (1) with the entry into force of this law the citizenship of Latvia individual persons may take: 1) which one of the parents is a Latvian or Livonian and permanently residing in Latvia or repatriated to Latvia, and their spouses, if they have at least ten years;
2) which had been citizens of the former USSR, as well as the descendants of these people that this law into force permanently residing in Latvia, and in accordance with the 23 august 1919, of the Act on citizenship of the «» article 1 could be eligible to apply for Latvian citizenship, but did not use this right, and their spouses, if they have at least ten years;
3) which had illegally entered in Latvia and lived there for 17 June 1940, and the descendants of those persons that this law into force permanently residing in Latvia (the conditions of this paragraph does not apply to persons who arrived in Latvia in accordance with the 1939 October 5, the mutual assistance pact between Latvia and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics);

4) which the German occupation regime from 1941 to 1945 to forcibly brought to Latvia and Latvia remained after the termination of the occupation regime and the descendants that this law into force permanently residing in Latvia;
5) which have gained general education school in which Latvian mācībvalod and up to the date of submission of the application for naturalization, not less than five years of permanent residence in Latvia;
6) 17 June 1940 were citizens of Lithuania or Estonia and their descendants, if these persons or their descendants up to the date of submission of the application for naturalization, not less than five years of permanent residence in Latvia;
7) which is at least ten years of marriage with a citizen of Latvia and to the date of submission of the application for naturalization, not less than five years of permanent residence in Latvia;
8) which under the Cabinet of Ministers approved the regulations of Latvian language very pr.
(2) outside the round can nationalize the persons who satisfy at least one of the conditions referred to in the first subparagraph.
(3) Take the citizenship of Latvia in the first paragraph of this article, they do not apply this law article 11, first paragraph, point 7 and limit article 12, first paragraph, point 1.
(4) in the first part of the persons referred to in the application are considered the naturalization in each category individually in order of their submission.
(5) a Person who has particular merit, Latvia can take the citizenship of Latvia Saeima decision, which is published in the Official Gazette.
14. article. Naturalization in General (1) applications for the admission of persons to the Latvian citizenship under this law, article 11 and 12 of the rules begins to examine in the following order: 1) from 1 January 1996, of the persons whose applications were born in Latvia and by submitting the application, is from 16 to 20 years old;
2) 1 January 1997 — people whose applications were born in Latvia and by submitting the application, up to 25 years old;
3) from 1 January 1998, the persons whose applications were born in Latvia and by submitting the application, up to 30 years old;
4) from 1 January 1999 — people whose applications were born in Latvia and by submitting the application, up to 40 years old;
5) from 1 January 2000 — the rest of the persons born in Latvia;
6) from 1 January 2001 — people whose applications were born outside Latvia and Latvia, arrived as minors;
7) from January 1, 2002, persons who were born in applications outside of Latvia and Latvia come to 30 years of age;
8) from 1 January 2003 — the other party submissions.
(2) the first subparagraph of this article 1. — a person referred to in section 7 of the naturalization applications in the order of their submission the appearance.
(3) the first subparagraph of paragraph 8 of the persons referred to in the order of consideration of application for naturalisation is determined, giving priority to individuals who lived in Latvia for a long time.
(4) the amendments to this article, to speed up naturalization, or amended in the fourth paragraph of this article shall enter into force not earlier than one year after their adoption.
15. article. Naturalization of children (1) naturalizēt persons at the citizenship of Latvia also get that person's minor children who are residing in Latvia. This also applies to the adopted and illegitimate children. The minor children receiving citizenship of Latvia, is not subject to this law, the provisions of article 12.
(2) If one of the parents, but the other naturalizēj in Latvia will remain alien, their minor child acquires the citizenship of Latvia, if: 1) the parents so agree;
2) parents have not reached an agreement, but the child is habitually resident in Latvia.
(3) If a juvenile alien (stateless person) is adopted by spouses one of whom is a citizen of Latvia, and the other for the alien, the child acquires the citizenship of Latvia, if: 1) agree about it; the adoptive
2) the child's habitual residence is in Latvia.
(4) in the event of cancellation of Adoption the child's citizenship may be changed.
16. article. The need to obtain the consent of the minor's change of nationality (1) for minors aged between 14 and 18 years citizenship (citizenship) can be changed according to the parental (adoptive) citizenship (nationality) only with the written consent of minors.
(2) If the minor's citizenship (nationality) changed according to the parents (adoptive) citizenship (nationality) without the written consent of the minor, his year of adulthood are to restore the citizenship of Latvia Latvia regardless of residence.
(3) If a marriage is concluded between a Latvian citizen and aliens and children acquired the foreign nationality (citizenship), then, for the age when she applied for naturalization this law, article 12, first paragraph, point 1.
Article 17. Naturalization application and examination procedures (1) naturalization applications adopt and review the Ministry of internal affairs.
(2) acceptance of the application and the naturalization examination procedure is regulated by the Cabinet of Ministers regulations. In the matter of the application and the reply to the applicant shall be given no later than one year from all Cabinet documents provided for in the submission.
(3) the Ministry of the Interior decision for naturalization denial can be appealed in court.
18. article. A promise of loyalty to the Republic of Latvia, the citizenship of Latvia by winning everyone who takes the citizenship of Latvia, have to sign such a promise of fidelity to the Republic of Latvia: «I, (name), born (birth date), I promise to be faithful to (true) only in the Republic of Latvia.
Undertake in good faith to fulfill the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia and the laws, to protect them.
I undertake, complain their lives to defend the independence of the Republic of Latvia, to live and work, to raise the Latvian State and people's well-being. "
The third chapter English skills examination procedure article 19. Latvian language skills test Naturalizējam persons of the Commission, Latvian language proficiency checks the cabinet created a Commission, whose activities are governed by regulations approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
20. article. Latvian language skills level Latvian language a Person, if so: 1) fully understand municipal and official information;
2) can tell, free to speak and answer questions about the domestic nature of the topic;
3) can read fluently and understand any municipal character texts, laws and other normative acts, municipal character instructions and manuals;
4) could write a retelling of a domestic nature of the topic.
21. article. Of the Latvian language proficiency examination exempted persons when considering naturalisation applications from Latvian language skills test released: 1) to the persons who acquired a general education school of Latvian mācībvalod;
2) 1. disability, which disability is granted without a time limit.
The fourth chapter of the loss of the CITIZENSHIP of Latvia and IT updated the article 22. The loss of the citizenship of Latvia, Latvian citizenship loss may be due to: 1) abandonment of citizenship;
2 deprivation of citizenship).
23. article. Abandonment of the Latvian citizenship (1) every person who has the citizenship of another country (nationality) or other nationality (citizenship) is guaranteed to have the right to refuse from the Latvian citizenship.
(2) a waiver application may be rejected if: 1) has not fulfilled obligations to the country;
2) person has not complied with mandatory public service obligations.
(3) the decision on refusal of the application, the rejection of the appeal court.
24. article. Deprivation of citizenship of Latvia (1), Latvian citizenship may be withdrawn by the decision of the Supreme Court, if the person: 1) acquired another nationality (citizenship), do not submit an application for renunciation of citizenship of Latvia;
2) without the permission of the Cabinet of Ministers the day foreign forces, internal forces, security services, police (militia) or is the justice institutions;
3) confirming their affiliation to the Latvian citizenship or naturalisation, provided about yourself knowingly false statements and thereby wrongfully obtained the citizenship of Latvia, — if it emerges within five years of admission to citizenship.
(2) deprivation of citizenship of Latvia does not affect the person's spouse, child or other family member's nationality.
25. article. Citizenship of Latvia (1), the Person who lost the citizenship of Latvia or adoptive parents choice, legal errors or unlawful deprivation of citizenship, the Latvian citizenship may be restored upon request with a Cabinet decision.
(2) a Person who has been deprived of the citizenship of Latvia in accordance with article 24 of this law, you can capture only the Latvian citizenship through naturalization in order and not earlier than after the five permanent residence in Latvia for years from the withdrawal of citizenship of Latvia.
26. article. The loss of the citizenship of Latvia and the renewal procedures for documenting the loss of citizenship of Latvia and its renewal documentation procedures regulated by the Cabinet of Ministers regulations.
The fifth chapter final provisions article 27. Latvian national identity documents for citizens of Latvia identity document passport of the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Latvia as well as diplomatic and consular representation issued a statement.
28. article. The application of international treaties

If an international agreement that has been approved by the Parliament, other rules are provided for in this Act apply than international treaty provisions.
29. article. Citizenship law enforcement control parliamentary control over the implementation of the nationality law made a special parliamentary Commission.
Transitional provisions 1. Latvian citizens and their descendants, who in the period from 17 June 1940 until 4 May 1990, saving those from the Soviet Union and the German occupation regime of terror, have left Latvia as refugees have been deported or for these reasons is not able to return this time naturalised in Latvia and abroad, retain the right to register in the population register as Latvian citizens and, after registration, in full enjoyment of civil rights and fulfil the obligations of the citizens If registration takes place before 1 July 1995. If that person register after July 1, 1995, must renounce the citizenship of another country (citizenship).
2. This law, article 24, paragraph 2, the terms do not apply to those citizens of Latvia who have dual citizenship, if their domicile is outside the territory of Latvia.
3. Persons who up to this law, entry into force were recorded or was logged on as citizens of Latvia, in accordance with the Republic of Latvia Supreme Council of 15 October 1991 decision «on the Republic of Latvia citizens ' rights and naturalization rules» (the Republic of Latvia Supreme Council and Government Informant, 1991, nr. 43) 3.2 and 28 October 1992 decision «on the Republic of Latvia citizens ' rights the conditions of recognition persons before 1 august 1914, lived in Latvia and their descendants» (the Republic of Latvia Supreme Council and Government Informant, 1992, 46./47./48.nr.) are citizens of Latvia and their registration is to be cancelled, except as provided in this law.
4. With the entry into force of this law shall lapse at the Republic of Latvia Supreme Council on 15 October 1991, the decision of the Latvian Republic «on civil rights restoration and naturalization rules» (the Republic of Latvia Supreme Council and Government Informant, 1991, no. 43), the Republic of Latvia Supreme Council 27 November 1991 decision «on the Republic of Latvia Supreme Council of 15 October 1991 decision «on the Republic of Latvia citizens ' rights and naturalization rules» application resident abroad nationals of the Republic of Latvia "(the Republic of Latvia Supreme Council and the Government of the rapporteur , 1991, 49./50.nr.), the Republic of Latvia Supreme Council of 28 October 1992, the decision of the Latvian Republic «on civil rights conditions for the recognition of persons who prior to 1 august 1914, lived in Latvia and their descendants» (the Republic of Latvia Supreme Council and Government Informant, 1992, 46./47./48.nr.), the Republic of Latvia Supreme Council of 28 October 1992 decision «on amendments and supplements to the Republic of Latvia Supreme Council of 15 October 1991 the decision «on the Republic of Latvia citizens ' rights and naturalization rules»» (the Republic of Latvia Supreme Council and the Government's rapporteur, 1992, 46./47./48.nr.), the Republic of Latvia Supreme Council of 2 February 1993 decision on the temporary Statute of ««, arrangements for the citizenship of the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Latvia citizens lose that withdraws from the citizenship of the Republic of Latvia»» (the Republic of Latvia Supreme Council and Government Informant, 1993,7. no), the law «amendments to the Republic of Latvia Supreme Council of 2 February, approved the provisional rules of procedure» in which the Republic of Latvia Citizenship of the Republic of Latvia citizens cease to that leaves the Republic of Latvia Citizenship»» (the Republic of Latvia Saeima and the Cabinet of Ministers rapporteur, 1993, no. 34).
The Parliament adopted the law of 22 July 1994.
The President g. Ulmanis in Riga on 11 august 1994, in