proof of the termination of any previous marriages (original documents and one notary-certified
copy), i.e., spouse's death certificate, final divorce decree, marriage annulment, or alike.
OTHER DOCUMENTS REFLECTING NAME CHANGE: You must present additional
evidence from archives or courts, if the above listed ones do not reflect all name changes you
have had in the past. For example, you changed your birth name to married name, and back to
your birth name after a divorce - you must present records from archives confirming the name
change at the time of marriage if the divorce documents do not contain that information.
PHOTOGRAPH: One (1) color full-face photograph for each applicant, regardless of age.
Dimensions - 5 x 5 cm. The photograph must be current (i.e. taken within the last six months).
The image must be sharp and correctly exposed. See samples here: travel.state.gov.
EVIDENCE OF REQUIRED EDUCATION OR WORK EXPERIENCE: The principal
applicant must submit a certified copy of a school diploma confirming successful completion of
secondary or higher education; OR documentary evidence of two years of work experience within
the past five years in an occupation requiring at least two years of training or experience to
perform. Only the principal applicant is subject to this requirement. The U.S. Department of
Labor’s O*Net OnLine database will be used to determine qualifying work experience. Please
check DV Lottery instructions for more information
POLICE CERTIFICATES: Each visa applicant at least 16 years of age, must submit an
original police certificate:
o from the police authorities of the applicant's country of current residence if the applicant
has resided there for at least six months after attaining the age of sixteen;
o from the police authorities of all other countries, except the United States, where the
applicant has resided for at least one year after attaining the age of sixteen;
o from the police authorities of any country where the applicant had been arrested for any
reason, regardless of how long he or she lived there.
Information about obtaining police certificates from specific countries can be found on the U.S.
State Department website: travel.state.gov. You don't need to submit a police certificate only if
the Department of State website states that the document is unobtainable from a specific country.
Please click on the link for instructions for obtaining a police certificate in Latvia (PDF - 284 kb).
Police clearance letters are valid for 12 months from the date of issuance. You are not required to
renew a police clearance letter from your previous country of residence if you have not travelled
to that country after the date of the issuance of such letter.
COURT AND PRISON RECORDS: Persons who have been convicted of a crime must submit
all court records and any prison record, regardless of whether they may have subsequently
benefited from an amnesty, pardon, or other act of clemency. Please note that all court and prison
records must be submitted with notary-certified English translations.
MILITARY RECORDS: A certified copy of any military service record, if applicable and
obtainable, is required. Information about obtaining military records from specific countries can
be found on the U.S. State Department website: travel.state.gov
DEPORTATION PAPERS: Visa applicants who have requested an extension of stay or a
change of status while in the U.S, or who have been deported from the United States, must
present the applicable documentary evidence.
ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS: Additionally, visa applicants must be prepared to present the
originals of all civil documents. They will be returned to you after the visa interview.
TRANSLATIONS: All documents prepared for submission, which are not in English or Latvian,
must be accompanied by notary-certified English translations. Translations of all court decisions
into English are mandatory if the originals are in any other language (even Latvian).