Citizenship is an enduring legal link between an individual and Latvia that ensures political involvement of full value in all processes taking place in the country. Statistical data for 2011 indicate that more than 82% of Latvia's population are Latvian citizens; Latvia has adopted all the necessary legislation related to naturalisation and the rights of citizens, and ensures an equitable and objective implementation of this legislation.
Citizenship Law
Citizenship Law was adopted on 21 July 1994. In elaborating its citizenship legislation, Latvia took into account the recommendations of international human rights organisations such as the UN, the Council of Europe, and the OSCE. These organisations have acknowledged that Latvia's citizenship legislation corresponds to the general norms of democracy and human rights.
Naturalisation
The naturalisation process has always had an important role in social integration in Latvia. Since the start of the naturalisation process on 1 February 1995 and until 30 September 2011, by order of the Cabinet of Ministers 135,840 persons have been granted Latvian citizenship, including 14,012 under-age children. In that way, the representatives of more than 70 nationalities have become the citizens of Latvia.
Citizenship to children
Children born to non-citizen families after the restoration of Latvia's independence in 1991 are able to obtain citizenship through the procedure of recognition, if their parents wish so. The parents are able to submit the application to the registry office when registering the birth of their child; thereby, the procedure is made easier and administrative obstacles are reduced for non-citizen or stateless persons’ children to obtain the citizenship of Latvia.
Facilitation measures
Latvia has adopted a number of facilitation measures to sustain the testing process for naturalisation. For example, the naturalisation examinations in the Latvian language and history have been simplified several times. Applicants who have reached the age of 65 need to take only the oral part of the language examination. The disabled of Group I, II and III have various facilitation measures according to their disability. Graduates of national minority schools who have passed the centralised exams in the Latvian language and literature at the required level do not have to take the language examination for naturalisation.
Outreach activities
The Naturalisation Board operates an information hotline and an internet website; open door days are held on regular basis in the regional offices, where the applicants for citizenship have the opportunity to do the simulation test of naturalisation examinations. Seeking to facilitate a dialogue even further, the Board holds information days in companies employing large numbers of non-citizens, meets with national minority cultural associations, organises various events for students, etc. Since its establishment, the Naturalisation Board with support from international organisations and foreign institutions has organised also awareness raising and informative campaigns.
