Changing your surname when you get married is one of life's big decisions – keep your own or change it? More it becomes a bit more complicated if is married to a foreigner - then the question arises - how will look/sound like my last name when using it in Latvia. And where to turn when arranging surname changes question .

What must be done?

When submitting an application for marriage registration, the chosen marital surname must be indicated. A question may arise - how to do it at the correct rendering of the surname in Latvian , and who deals with it. There are various options - to find out by the registry office itself by contacting the Latvian language agency, or the couple by contacting this in the agency. Then it is necessary to receive a written confirmation from the Latvian language agency about the reproduction of the surname in Latvian. There are cases when a foreigner has already been connected with the Latvian state in some other aspect and surname has been rendered according to the norms of the Latvian language before.

Surname change after marriage with a foreigner

If the bride has decided that after marriage she will change her surname and choose her husband's surname, in the marriage certificate both her surname and husband's first and last name will be rendered in Latvian in accordance with the rendering of personal names in other languages principles. On the other hand, in the original form, the husband's name and surname will be put in brackets. Exactly the same with passport data - yes the groom's last name, which the bride takes at marriage, is Johnson , then she will be Johnson in her passport. But there is no need to be afraid that you will not be able to be identified as husband and wife abroad, because an additional entry about the surname the original form, if it is indicated in the marriage certificate, is on page 3 of the passport - in the same opening as the data page of the passport.

Information on rendering of first and last name

If you need a certificate for the correct representation of the surname in Latvian, you should contact the Latvian language agency for it, presenting a document with the original spelling of the surname. It should be noted that such information is free of charge. Apply for it and that can be received both on site at the agency and electronically by e-mail.

Surname change and rendering of personal names in Latvian

To understand how to write a foreigner's name or surname correctly in Latvian, the website www.personvarduatveide.lv will be useful. on the other hand, if the name is not found there, one should again seek help from the Latvian Language Agency. Rendering of personal names in Latvian - it is the expression of these words with the sounds and letters of the Latvian language, according to the proper nouns of other languages rendering rules. For example, the French surname Dumont in Latvian will be Dimons for a man, and Dimona for a woman; Italian Basilio - Bazilio, Finnish Aaltonen - Åltonen for a man, Åltonen for a woman.

*It should be said that the fact that foreign language names and surnames must be written in Latvian is determined by Article 19 of the State Language Law part and the third part of Article 23 and is regulated by the Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 114. "Rules on the spelling of personal names and usage in Latvian, as well as their identification."

Author of the article: IEVA KRASTIņA

Photo: ELINA UPMANE

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