Latvian nationals who act as directors or people with significant control, known as PSCs, of UK companies must complete Companies House identity verification by the deadline that applies to each role.

After you verify your identity, Companies House gives you an 11-character personal code. The code belongs to you rather than to one company. You can use the same code for every UK company where you act as a director or PSC. However, you must connect it separately to each appointment and role.

Quick Answer for Latvian Directors and PSCs

For most Latvian nationals, a valid Latvian passport provides the clearest Group A identity document.

A current Latvian national identity card, usually called an eID card, personas apliecība or Latvijas personas apliecība, can also provide Group A evidence. A valid Latvian EU photocard driving licence may provide another Group A document.

For a person-led remote check through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider, or ACSP, you normally need either:

• two Group A photographic identity documents; or
• one Group A photographic identity document and one Group B supporting document.

PRADO’s current Latvia page lists Latvian passports, national identity cards and driving licences. Unlike nationals of some non-EU countries, Latvian applicants may therefore have several practical Group A combinations.

For many Latvian directors and PSCs, the most practical combinations are:

• Latvian passport and Latvian eID card;
• Latvian passport and Latvian EU photocard driving licence;
• Latvian eID card and Latvian EU photocard driving licence;
• Latvian passport and bank statement;
• Latvian passport and utility bill;
• Latvian passport and mortgage statement;
• Latvian passport and insurance policy;
• Latvian passport and birth certificate;
• Latvian passport and marriage certificate;
• Latvian passport and UK photocard driving licence; or
• Latvian passport and an eligible UK immigration document.

Direct answer: The strongest person-led route will usually use a Latvian passport together with a current Latvian eID card or EU photocard driving licence. If only one suitable photographic document is available, use it with an accepted Group B supporting document.

Important Point About the Latvian eID Card

Latvia issues a national identity card called the identity card, eID card, personas apliecība or Latvijas personas apliecība.

The Latvian Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs describes the eID card as a personal identification document that confirms the holder’s identity and legal status. PRADO lists Latvian national identity-card models, including the current LVA-BO-03001 model and the earlier LVA-BO-02001 model.

Companies House expressly allows an identity card with biometric information from an EU country under both the technology-led Option 1 route and the person-led Group A route. Companies House also includes another photographic identity document listed on PRADO within Group A for person-led checks.

The practical conclusion is:

A current physical Latvian eID card can normally provide Group A evidence for Companies House identity verification.

The card must still:

• remain valid;
• belong to the applicant;
• have a clear photograph;
• show no sign of alteration or damage;
• match the applicant’s current legal details; and
• pass the checks required by the ACSP or identity technology.

The eID card’s electronic functions, certificates and PIN codes do not remove the need to inspect the original physical card.

Why Can a Latvian eID Card Qualify Under Option 1?

Companies House permits an identity card with biometric information issued by:

• an EU country;
• Norway;
• Iceland; or
• Liechtenstein.

Latvia is an EU Member State. The current generation of EU identity cards includes a secure storage medium containing biometric information. A current Latvian eID card may therefore qualify as the one photographic document under Option 1 where suitable identity document validation technology can read and validate the required cryptographic and physical security features.

Do not assume that every identity-checking platform supports every Latvian card model. The ACSP must confirm that its technology can validate the exact card presented.

Can You Use a Latvian Personal Identity Number?

No. Latvia’s personal identity number, commonly called a personas kods, is a personal identifier rather than a photographic identity document.

Do not submit only:

• a personas kods;
• a written Latvian personal identity number;
• a screenshot showing the number;
• a tax or employment document containing the number;
• a Latvija.gov.lv account screen;
• an e-signature account page; or
• a Register of Natural Persons screen.

Latvian personal identity numbers contain 11 digits. Numbers allocated from 1 July 2017 generally begin with the digit 3 and do not encode the holder’s date of birth. The personas kods is not the same as the Companies House 11-character personal code.

What About Digital eID, eParaksts or Smart-ID?

Latvian applicants may use their eID card with electronic certificates, eParaksts or another digital identity service for Latvian online services.

However, a digital login, electronic-signature certificate, mobile application, QR code or screenshot does not replace the original photographic identity document for a Companies House document check.

An ACSP may use electronic information as additional evidence. For example, it may help confirm:

• the applicant’s current legal name;
• personal identity number;
• declared address;
• document status;
• electronic-signature identity; or
• information recorded in the Register of Natural Persons.

The formal document combination should still use an accepted passport, physical eID card, photocard driving licence or Group B document.

Latvian Biometric Passports and Identity Cards

Latvian nationals may hold different passport and identity-card models.

PRADO currently lists five Latvian ordinary passport models. The two models most likely to remain relevant for current applicants are:

• LVA-AO-01005, first issued on 12 February 2024; and
• LVA-AO-01004, first issued on 28 January 2015.

PRADO lists the earlier LVA-AO-01003 model as no longer valid after 26 January 2025.

PRADO also lists three Latvian national identity-card models:

• LVA-BO-03001, first issued on 18 October 2021 and currently valid;
• LVA-BO-02001, first issued on 2 September 2019 and currently listed as valid; and
• LVA-BO-01001, which PRADO records as no longer valid after 31 August 2024.

Current Latvian Biometric Passport

The current Latvian ordinary passport model LVA-AO-01005 normally provides the strongest passport route.

PRADO records this document as:

• an ordinary Latvian passport;
• first issued as a model on 12 February 2024;
• currently valid;
• issued to Latvian nationals;
• constructed as a passport booklet with an integrated biodata card; and
• issued for up to ten years, depending on the holder’s age.

Latvia introduced the current passport model in 2024 with updated security and anti-counterfeiting features.

A current Latvian biometric passport may work through the GOV.UK One Login app where:

• the passport contains a working biometric chip;
• the applicant has a compatible phone;
• the app can read the chip;
• the photograph remains clear; and
• the applicant completes the facial comparison successfully.

Latvian Passports and eID Cards Issued Abroad

Latvian citizens living in the United Kingdom can apply for a passport or eID card through the Consular Section of the Latvian Embassy in London, subject to the Embassy’s eligibility and appointment rules.

Applicants must attend in person and return their previous identity documents. The identity documents are issued through the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs in Latvia, and the process through a diplomatic or consular mission can take up to six weeks.

A passport obtained through the Latvian Embassy is not automatically a special non-biometric or lower-status passport merely because the application took place abroad. The verifier should check:

• the exact PRADO model;
• the biometric-passport symbol;
• document number;
• issue and expiry dates;
• chip functionality where technology is used;
• document condition; and
• whether an earlier passport has been cancelled or replaced.

The same principle applies to a Latvian eID card issued following an overseas application.

Older Latvian Passport Models

The previous LVA-AO-01004 passport model remains listed by PRADO as valid. It was first issued in 2015 and may remain in circulation until the individual passport expires or becomes invalid for another reason.

An older passport may still provide Group A evidence where the individual document:

• remains current or falls within a Companies House passport expiry exception;
• has not been cancelled;
• has not been replaced;
• remains in good condition;
• contains a clear photograph; and
• matches the applicant’s current legal details.

PRADO records LVA-AO-01003 as no longer valid after 26 January 2025. Applicants should therefore not treat that model as a current passport merely because they still possess the booklet.

The relevant issue is the status of the individual passport and document model rather than simply its appearance or the date on which the holder originally received it.

Current and Older Latvian eID Models

The current LVA-BO-03001 card normally provides the clearest eID route. PRADO records it as a valid national identity card issued to Latvian nationals. Depending on the holder’s age, it may be issued for two, five or ten years.

The earlier LVA-BO-02001 model also remains listed as valid. A current card may provide Group A evidence under the person-led route, although an ACSP using Option 1 technology must confirm that its system can validate the exact card and its security features.

The LVA-BO-01001 model is no longer valid. It should not be used as current identity evidence. Companies House does not provide a general expiry exception for identity cards equivalent to the limited passport exceptions.

Who Must Complete Companies House Identity Verification?

The requirement applies to Latvian nationals who are:

• directors of UK limited companies;
• becoming directors of UK companies;
• directors of overseas companies registered in the UK;
• registered as PSCs;
• becoming PSCs of existing companies;
• forming UK companies in which they will act as directors or PSCs; or
• applying to register as Companies House authorised agents.

Identity verification became a legal requirement on 18 November 2025. Companies House introduced it through a transition process rather than one universal deadline for every existing director and PSC.

Existing directors normally provide their personal codes through their companies’ next confirmation statements.

A new company must provide a personal code for each proposed director during incorporation. Someone appointed as a new director must also provide the code as part of the appointment filing.

PSCs follow separate 14-day compliance periods. The relevant period depends on whether the PSC also acts as a director and when Companies House first recorded the PSC.

How Can Latvian Nationals Verify Their Identity?

Latvian nationals can use one of two main routes.

1. Verify Through GOV.UK One Login

Companies House offers a free direct identity-verification service through GOV.UK One Login.

Depending on your documents and circumstances, the service may ask you to:

• use the GOV.UK One Login app;
• answer security questions online; or
• attend a participating UK Post Office.

The available method depends on your documents, device and access to relevant UK records.

Using a Latvian Biometric Passport

A Latvian national can normally try the app route with a current biometric passport.

The app accepts a non-UK passport with a biometric chip. You must:

1. photograph the passport’s personal-details page;
2. scan the electronic chip;
3. scan your face; and
4. complete the remaining identity questions.

You must use the original passport. The app does not accept a photocopy, digital copy or expired passport.

Can You Use a Latvian eID Card in the App?

Not under the currently published app document list.

The GOV.UK One Login app accepts:

• a UK passport;
• a non-UK passport with a biometric chip;
• a UK photocard driving licence;
• certain UK biometric immigration documents; or
• a UK Frontier Worker permit.

Although a Latvian eID card may provide strong Companies House evidence through an ACSP and may be accepted at a Post Office where that route is offered, the app does not currently list a non-UK EU identity card as an app document.

Can You Use a Latvian Driving Licence in the App?

Not as the app’s driving-licence document.

The app accepts a UK photocard driving licence rather than a Latvian licence. A qualifying Latvian EU photocard driving licence may still work:

• through a technology-led ACSP check under Option 1;
• as Group A evidence under person-led Option 2; or
• at a participating Post Office if GOV.UK One Login offers that route.

Answering Security Questions

Some Latvian nationals who live in the UK may receive the option to answer security questions online.

This method can use information connected with UK financial records, such as a mobile phone contract, bank accounts, credit cards, loans or mortgages. It may also require specified UK evidence, such as a UK passport, UK photocard driving licence or current account with a UK bank or building society.

A Latvian director who lives overseas or has little UK financial history may find this route less practical.

Verification at a UK Post Office

GOV.UK One Login may direct some applicants to a participating Post Office.

You must first:

1. start the Companies House identity-verification service online;
2. enter the requested photographic ID details;
3. receive confirmation that the Post Office route is available;
4. obtain the customer instructions or QR code;
5. attend a participating Post Office; and
6. present the original identity document.

The Post Office route currently lists the following relevant Latvian documents:

• a non-UK passport;
• an EU photocard driving licence; or
• a national identity photocard from an EU country.

Staff scan the original identity document and take the applicant’s photograph. The result will usually arrive within one day.

This route may suit a Latvian national living in the UK. It usually offers less convenience to someone living in Latvia or another country.

2. Verify Through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider

An Authorised Corporate Service Provider can verify a person’s identity for Companies House.

ACSPs commonly include regulated solicitors, accountants and company service providers. Companies House allows an ACSP to complete the checks remotely or in person. The ACSP must register with Companies House and remain supervised by a UK anti-money laundering supervisory body.

The ACSP route may suit a Latvian director or PSC who:

• lives in Latvia or another country outside the UK;
• cannot complete GOV.UK One Login verification;
• cannot scan the Latvian passport chip;
• wants to use a Latvian eID card or EU driving licence;
• needs help choosing a Group B document;
• has Latvian diacritics that do not appear on the Companies House record;
• has a Latvian and foreign-language version of the same name;
• has changed their surname following marriage or divorce;
• has replaced a personal identity number;
• has an incorrect date of birth at Companies House; or
• wants remote verification by video call.

How Many Documents Do You Need?

The number of documents depends on how the ACSP completes the identity check.

Option 1: Technology-Led Verification

One eligible photographic document may be enough where the ACSP uses suitable identity document validation technology, known as IDVT.

The technology must validate the relevant cryptographic and physical security features.

Companies House permits:

• a biometric or machine-readable passport;
• a UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or EU photocard driving licence;
• a biometric identity card from the EU, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein;
• certain UK biometric immigration documents;
• a UK Frontier Worker permit; or
• an eVisa.

A biometric or machine-readable passport may be up to six months expired where the technology can still validate its security features.

For a Latvian national, the most relevant Option 1 documents will normally be:

• a Latvian biometric passport;
• a current Latvian biometric eID card;
• a current Latvian EU photocard driving licence; or
• an eligible UK immigration document or eVisa.

The ACSP must confirm that its technology supports and successfully validates the exact Latvian document. A document’s general eligibility does not guarantee that every platform can process it.

Option 2: Person-Led Remote or In-Person Verification

A trained person may inspect the documents remotely by video call or examine them in person.

Under this route, the applicant must provide either:

• two Group A photographic identity documents; or
• one Group A photographic identity document and one Group B supporting document.

Anyone who lives outside the UK must provide at least one government-issued document.

A passport may be up to 18 months expired under Option 2. However, the issuing authority must not have cancelled or replaced it.

Other documents normally need to remain current unless Companies House provides a specific exception.

Group A Photographic ID for Latvian Nationals

1. Latvian Biometric Passport

A current Latvian biometric passport normally provides the strongest Group A identity document.

The current model LVA-AO-01005 is listed by PRADO as a valid ordinary passport issued to Latvian nationals. The previous LVA-AO-01004 model also remains listed as valid.

For a person-led Option 2 check, Companies House may accept a passport that expired within the previous 18 months.

However, you cannot use a passport that:

• has been cancelled;
• has been replaced by a newer passport;
• contains cancellation marks;
• has a cut or clipped corner;
• has serious damage around the personal-details page; or
• cannot be validated satisfactorily.

A current passport will normally make the process easier.

2. Latvian National Identity Card or eID Card

A current physical Latvian eID card may provide Group A evidence.

The strongest model route will usually involve LVA-BO-03001, which PRADO lists as a valid national identity card first issued in 2021. A current LVA-BO-02001 card may also provide Group A evidence, subject to inspection and validation.

The ACSP should review:

• the exact card model;
• document number;
• issue and expiry dates;
• nationality and legal status shown on the card;
• photograph;
• visible security features;
• condition of the card; and
• consistency with the passport, driving licence and Companies House record.

Send clear images of both sides before the video appointment. You must also show the original physical card during the call.

Does Every Latvian eID Card Qualify?

Not automatically.

A card may fail where it:

• has expired;
• belongs to an invalid PRADO model;
• has been replaced;
• has been reported lost or stolen;
• contains damaged security features;
• shows details that no longer match the holder’s legal identity; or
• cannot be validated by the chosen technology or person-led process.

PRADO records LVA-BO-01001 as no longer valid after 31 August 2024. Do not rely on that model as current evidence.

Can You Use a Digital Latvian eID?

Do not rely on:

• a digital identity screen;
• an eParaksts account;
• a mobile identity application;
• a QR code;
• a screenshot;
• a scanned PDF of the card; or
• an electronic certificate alone

as a replacement for the original physical eID card.

A person-led check may require the applicant to move or tilt the physical card so the verifier can inspect visible security features.

3. Latvian EU Photocard Driving Licence

A valid physical Latvian EU photocard driving licence may provide Group A evidence under person-led Option 2. It is also one of the document categories permitted under Option 1 where suitable technology validates the document.

PRADO lists the current Latvian driving-licence model under reference LVA-FO-01003.

The document:

• uses card format;
• was first issued as a model on 2 January 2013;
• remains listed as valid;
• normally has a maximum validity of ten years, with shorter validity for specified vehicle categories;
• contains a laser-engraved black-and-white facial image; and
• includes visible and ultraviolet security features.

Send clear images of both sides before the video appointment. You must also show the original physical card during the call.

Does Every Latvian Driving Licence Qualify?

Not automatically.

A temporary permit, application receipt, digital record or invalid card should not be treated as automatically qualifying.

The ACSP should review:

• the exact card design;
• driving-licence number;
• issue and expiry dates;
• photograph;
• physical security features;
• condition of the card; and
• consistency with the passport, eID card and other evidence.

Can You Use a Digital Latvian Driving Licence?

Do not rely on:

• a digital licence screen;
• mobile-wallet record;
• QR code;
• screenshot;
• electronic extract; or
• photograph of the licence

as a replacement for the original physical card.

4. Older, Temporary and Non-Citizen Travel Documents

Latvia issues several document types in addition to the ordinary citizen passport.

A person may hold:

• an older ordinary passport model;
• an emergency or return travel document;
• an alien’s or Latvian non-citizen passport;
• a refugee travel document; or
• another travel document issued to a person who is not a Latvian national.

These documents require individual review.

A Latvian non-citizen passport should not be described as proof that the holder is a Latvian citizen. The Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs treats an alien’s or non-citizen’s passport as a separate document category, and PRADO lists travel documents issued by Latvia to non-nationals separately from ordinary passports issued to Latvian nationals.

A current physical document may still provide Group A evidence where it falls within a Companies House category, appears on PRADO and passes the required checks. However, the ACSP must confirm:

• the holder’s nationality or legal status;
• the exact document category and model;
• current validity;
• whether another document replaced it;
• any restricted or single-use purpose; and
• whether its security features can be validated.

A standard current Latvian citizen passport or eID card will normally provide a clearer route.

5. Eligible UK-Issued Photographic Documents

A Latvian national living in the UK may also hold another Group A document.

Examples include:

• a UK photocard driving licence;
• a UK biometric residence card;
• a qualifying UK biometric residence permit;
• a UK Frontier Worker permit;
• a photographic government-issued work permit;
• a photographic immigration document;
• a photographic visa; or
• an eVisa under the relevant technology-led route.

The ACSP must review the exact document and apply the current Companies House expiry rules.

A Latvian passport combined with a valid UK photocard driving licence can provide two strong Group A documents.

Latvian Documents You Should Not Rely On as Required Evidence

Personal Identity Number or Personas Kods

A Latvian personal identity number does not provide photographic identity evidence by itself.

It may appear on a passport, eID card, driving licence, bank statement or civil-status document, but the number alone does not replace an accepted document.

Digital eID, eParaksts and Online Government Screens

Do not rely on a digital identity profile, eParaksts login, Smart-ID screen, Latvija.gov.lv page, electronic certificate or Register of Natural Persons account screen as one of the required documents.

These records may support additional checks, but Companies House requires the ACSP to use evidence that falls within the published Option 1 or Option 2 categories.

Expired or Replaced eID Cards and Driving Licences

Companies House provides limited expiry exceptions for passports and certain UK biometric residence permits. It does not provide a general expiry allowance for a Latvian eID card or Latvian driving licence.

Do not rely on a card that:

• has expired;
• has been cancelled;
• has been replaced with a newer document;
• was reported lost or stolen;
• contains invalidated electronic certificates where that affects validation;
• has materially damaged security features; or
• shows a former name that has not been connected to the current identity.

Latvian authorities normally require previous identity documents to be returned when a replacement document is issued.

Invalid Older Latvian Document Models

PRADO records:

• passport model LVA-AO-01003 as no longer valid after 26 January 2025; and
• eID model LVA-BO-01001 as no longer valid after 31 August 2024.

Possession of an old booklet or card does not make it acceptable current evidence.

Register of Natural Persons Statement

A Latvian applicant can obtain information or statements from the Register of Natural Persons.

Such a statement may provide useful evidence of:

• current registered name;
• former name;
• personal identity number;
• date or place of birth;
• declared address;
• nationality or legal status; or
• links between earlier and current records.

However, Companies House does not expressly include a foreign population-register statement in Group B. Use it as additional evidence rather than as the formal second document unless the ACSP confirms another valid basis for accepting it.

Latvian Non-Citizen Status Documents

Do not assume that a Latvian non-citizen passport proves Latvian citizenship.

A holder may still complete Companies House identity verification using an eligible passport or another PRADO-listed photographic document, but the ACSP must record and describe the holder’s status accurately.

Latvian Student, Health, Employment or Membership Cards

Do not rely on:

• a student card;
• health or insurance membership card that is not an insurance policy;
• employee card;
• professional membership card;
• library card;
• public-transport card; or
• bank payment card

as one of the required documents. These cards do not appear in the current Companies House Group A or Group B lists.

Group B Supporting Documents

Where you have only one suitable Group A photographic document, you can provide one Group B document.

Companies House Group B documents include:

• birth or adoption certificate;
• marriage or civil partnership certificate;
• non-photographic immigration document;
• non-photographic visa;
• non-photographic work permit;
• bank or building society statement;
• mortgage statement showing the current address;
• utility bill showing the current address;
• insurance policy showing the current address;
• UK council tax statement; or
• a qualifying UK local-authority or social-housing rental agreement.

A Latvian bank statement, utility bill, mortgage statement, insurance policy, birth certificate or marriage certificate may work where the ACSP can confirm that it:

• belongs to the applicant;
• comes from a genuine issuer;
• clearly shows the relevant personal details;
• contains no sign of alteration;
• supports the claimed identity or current address; and
• provides credible evidence of genuine activity.

Latvian Bank Statements

A Latvian bank statement may provide Group B evidence.

The statement should:

• show the applicant’s full name;
• identify the bank clearly;
• display a recent statement date;
• show genuine account activity;
• remain complete and legible;
• contain no sign of editing; and
• show the current address where the applicant relies on it for address evidence.

A complete PDF downloaded directly from online banking will normally provide stronger evidence than a cropped mobile-banking screenshot.

Companies House also encourages ACSPs to check evidence of genuine activity, such as recent banking or credit-card transactions.

Where the statement uses a shortened name without Latvian diacritics, provide the passport or eID card and any other evidence needed to connect the account to the same person.

Latvian Utility Bills

A Latvian utility bill may provide Group B evidence where it clearly shows the applicant’s current residential address.

Examples may include:

• electricity bill;
• water bill;
• gas or heating bill;
• fixed-line telephone bill;
• internet service bill where treated as a household utility; or
• another genuine household utility account.

The verifier must be able to identify the provider and connect the account to the applicant.

A bill in another household member’s name will not normally establish the applicant’s address without further evidence.

Mortgage Statements and Insurance Policies

A Latvian mortgage statement may provide Group B evidence where it clearly shows the applicant’s current home address.

An insurance policy may also qualify where it identifies the applicant and shows the current address.

The document should come from an identifiable lender or insurer and remain capable of validation.

A premium notice, marketing email or insurance quotation will not necessarily amount to the insurance policy itself.

Latvian Birth Certificates

A Latvian birth certificate may provide Group B evidence.

Latvian birth certificates can be requested online through the Latvian State Portal. Civil-status documents, multilingual standard forms and reference statements may also be requested through the relevant Latvian civil-registration authority.

For Companies House verification, provide the complete official certificate rather than:

• hospital birth notification;
• baptism or religious record;
• cropped photograph;
• application receipt;
• Register of Natural Persons screenshot;
• translation without the original; or
• informal family document.

The ACSP should be able to identify:

• the applicant’s complete registered name;
• date and place of birth;
• issuing authority;
• document date;
• parents’ details where shown; and
• any correction or later amendment.

A birth certificate can be especially useful where the passport, eID card and Companies House record show different forms of the applicant’s name.

Latvian Marriage Certificates

An official Latvian marriage certificate may provide Group B evidence.

It can also help connect:

• a birth surname;
• spouse’s surname;
• double or combined surname;
• former married surname; or
• another name used in UK records.

Latvian civil-status certificates can be requested through the Latvian State Portal or the responsible civil-registration authority.

Provide the complete official certificate rather than only:

• wedding photograph;
• ceremonial document;
• partial scan;
• informal translation;
• church document without the relevant official registration details; or
• online screenshot.

Divorce, Name-Change and Civil-Status Evidence

A divorce judgment, civil registry record or official name-change decision may help connect a former surname to the current identity.

Latvian authorities direct formal name-change applications to municipal registry offices. A person who changes their name or surname must also replace affected identity documents and ensure that the Register of Natural Persons reflects the current information.

A divorce document or name-change decision does not automatically replace the required Group A or Group B combination. It usually acts as linking evidence where the name shown at Companies House differs from the current passport or eID card.

English Translations

Latvian passports, eID cards and driving licences contain information that a trained verifier can usually identify using Latin script and standard document fields.

Birth certificates, marriage records, bank statements, utility bills and civil-status decisions may contain important wording only in Latvian.

The ACSP may therefore request an English translation where it cannot clearly understand:

• the document type;
• issuing authority;
• applicant’s name;
• current address;
• date of issue;
• name-change information; or
• another material entry.

Latvian authorities can issue multilingual standard forms for certain civil-status documents. However, a multilingual form does not prevent an ACSP from requesting a translation where the relevant information remains unclear or where the form does not cover all material entries.

The translation supports the original document. It does not replace it.

Recommended Document Combinations

Latvian Passport and Latvian eID Card

This combination normally provides two Group A photographic documents under person-led Option 2.

The passport confirms identity and Latvian nationality. The eID card provides a second government-issued photographic identity document.

Both documents should show consistent:

• names;
• dates of birth;
• photographs;
• nationality;
• personal identity number where displayed;
• document status; and
• other personal information.

This will often be the strongest and most straightforward remote combination for a Latvian citizen.

Latvian Passport and Latvian Driving Licence

This combination may also provide two Group A photographic documents.

The passport provides the primary identity and nationality evidence. A current Latvian EU photocard driving licence provides a second photographic document.

It may be particularly useful where:

• the applicant’s eID card has expired;
• the applicant does not have the eID card available;
• the card’s electronic functions cannot be validated by the chosen platform; or
• the driving licence also supports the current residential address.

Latvian eID Card and Latvian Driving Licence

A current Latvian eID card and current Latvian EU photocard driving licence may provide two Group A documents without using a passport.

This can be a practical person-led route where the applicant:

• does not currently possess the passport;
• has submitted the passport for renewal;
• wants to avoid using an expired passport; or
• prefers two card-format documents.

The ACSP must still confirm that both physical cards remain valid and have not been replaced.

Latvian Passport and Bank Statement

This combination provides one Group A document and one Group B document.

It often offers a clear route where the applicant:

• does not drive;
• has an expired or unavailable eID card;
• wants to provide evidence of genuine financial activity;
• needs to establish a Latvian or UK home address; or
• has a name-format difference across identity records.

Latvian Passport and Utility Bill

A utility bill may provide the required Group B document where it clearly shows the applicant’s current residential address.

The provider and account information must remain capable of validation.

Latvian Passport and Mortgage Statement

This combination may work where the mortgage statement clearly shows the applicant’s current home address.

Latvian Passport and Insurance Policy

An insurance policy may provide Group B evidence where it identifies the applicant and shows the current address.

Latvian Passport and Birth Certificate

An official Latvian birth certificate may provide Group B evidence.

This combination can help where:

• the Latvian and non-Latvian versions of a name differ;
• Companies House omits one of several forenames;
• the passport and company record use different spelling conventions;
• the applicant changed their name;
• the place or date of birth needs clarification; or
• the verifier needs stronger civil-registration evidence.

Latvian Passport and Marriage Certificate

An official marriage certificate may provide Group B evidence.

It can also help connect:

• birth and married surnames;
• single and double surnames;
• a surname resumed after divorce;
• a former surname shown at Companies House; or
• another name recorded in Latvian civil-status records.

Latvian Passport and UK Photocard Driving Licence

A Latvian national living in the UK may use a valid UK photocard driving licence as the second Group A document.

This combination can provide two strong photographic identity documents.

Latvian Passport and UK Immigration Document

An eligible UK photographic immigration document may provide another Group A document.

An eVisa may qualify under the technology-led route. The ACSP must review the exact status and available evidence.

Latvian Names, Diacritics and Foreign-Language Forms

They require careful name checks.

Latvian Diacritics and Companies House Records

Latvian names may contain letters with diacritical marks, including:

• ā;
• č;
• ē;
• ģ;
• ī;
• ķ;
• ļ;
• ņ;
• š;
• ū; and
• ž.

A UK company record, bank system, email address or legacy database may omit the diacritic and use the nearest basic Latin letter.

For example, a document set may show:

• Bērziņš and Berzins;
• Kalniņa and Kalnina;
• Šmits and Smits; or
• Žukovs and Zukovs.

The absence of diacritics does not automatically mean that the records belong to different people. However, the ACSP must determine whether the complete evidence supports one consistent identity.

The current passport or eID card will normally provide the clearest starting point.

Latvian Form and Original Foreign Form of a Name

Latvian official records may adapt a foreign-origin personal name to Latvian spelling and grammatical rules. Official Latvian language regulations also provide for identification of the original or historical form of a name in appropriate circumstances.

As a result, separate records may show:

• a Latvian grammatical ending;
• the original foreign-language form;
• a transliterated form;
• a form without diacritics;
• a different gendered ending;
• a historical form; or
• a form used in another country’s passport.

For example, a person may use one form in a Latvian passport and another closely related form in a UK bank or corporate record.

Provide evidence that connects the forms, such as:

• current Latvian passport;
• current eID card;
• foreign passport where the person has dual nationality;
• birth certificate;
• marriage certificate;
• Register of Natural Persons statement;
• official name-form confirmation; or
• formal name-change evidence.

Several Forenames and Everyday Names

A Latvian passport or eID card may show more than one forename, while a bank statement or company record may show only the name used in everyday life.

Separate records may:

• include or omit a second forename;
• use an initial;
• shorten a forename;
• use a familiar form;
• join two names with a hyphen;
• separate a compound name; or
• reverse the order of two name elements.

A shorter name does not automatically mean that the documents belong to different people. However, the complete evidence must support one identity.

Surname Endings, Spaces and Hyphens

Latvian surnames may appear with grammatical endings or may be adapted differently depending on the language and document system.

A UK record may remove or alter:

• a Latvian diacritic;
• a masculine or feminine ending;
• a hyphen;
• a space;
• punctuation;
• a double surname; or
• an original foreign spelling.

The ACSP should compare the passport, machine-readable information, eID card, driving licence, supporting documents and Companies House record.

Married and Former Surnames

Marriage, divorce or another civil-status event can create differences between Latvian and UK records.

A person may:

• take a spouse’s surname;
• retain their birth surname;
• choose a double surname;
• resume an earlier surname after divorce;
• use the new surname in Latvia before updating UK records; or
• use the UK version of a surname without Latvian diacritics or grammatical adaptation.

Provide the marriage certificate, divorce evidence or other civil-status record together with the current and former identity documents.

Where the current passport or eID card still shows the former surname, the ACSP must consider whether the Latvian identity document should already have been replaced and whether the person’s current legal details have been updated in the Register of Natural Persons.

Formal Changes of Name

Latvian citizens can apply to change a first name or surname through the relevant municipal registry office, subject to Latvian law.

After a formal change, the person may need to replace:

• passport;
• eID card;
• driving licence;
• bank records;
• electronic-signature credentials; and
• other Latvian documents linked to the former details.

Latvian guidance requires documents supporting a name change or changed register information when applying for a replacement identity document.

Where Companies House records the former name, useful evidence may include:

• current passport;
• former passport or eID card;
• official name-change decision;
• birth certificate;
• marriage or divorce certificate;
• Register of Natural Persons statement; or
• another document that connects the former and current names.

Check Your Date of Birth Before Verification

The date of birth linked to your personal code must match the date held by Companies House.

Problems can arise where:

• Companies House holds the wrong date;
• someone made an error during incorporation;
• the passport and civil-status record show different information;
• the Register of Natural Persons contains an error;
• the ACSP submits incorrect information; or
• someone enters the personal code incorrectly.

A Latvian personal identity number allocated before 1 July 2017 may contain the date of birth, while a newer number beginning with 3 generally does not. Do not infer the applicant’s current date of birth from the personal identity number without checking the identity document and civil-status evidence.

Companies House may prevent the personal code from connecting to a director or PSC role where the details do not match. Correct any inaccurate date of birth before the compliance deadline.

Is a Personas Kods the Companies House Personal Code?

No.

A personas kods belongs to Latvia’s national identity and Register of Natural Persons system.

The Companies House personal code is a separate 11-character code created after successful Companies House identity verification.

Do not enter any of the following when Companies House asks for your personal code:

• Latvian personas kods;
• eID card number;
• Latvian passport number;
• driving-licence number;
• UK National Insurance number;
• company authentication code;
• tax number; or
• immigration application reference.

Same-Day Remote Verification by Video Call

Our Legal Consultant is registered with Companies House as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider.

Through our partner solicitor, we can arrange remote Companies House identity verification by video call for Latvian directors and PSCs.

Same-day identity checks and ACSP submission may be available where:

• we review and approve the documents in advance;
• the applicant provides all required personal information;
• the document combination meets the Companies House standard;
• the applicant has the original documents during the call;
• the verifier can validate the documents;
• the applicant appears clearly on camera;
• the Companies House information matches; and
• no unresolved identity, document or compliance concern arises.

For many person-led Latvian cases, the applicant should prepare one of the following:

• Latvian passport and Latvian eID card;
• Latvian passport and Latvian EU photocard driving licence;
• Latvian eID card and Latvian EU photocard driving licence; or
• one Latvian passport or eID card and a suitable Group B supporting document.

Same-day service covers the identity check and ACSP submission. Companies House controls the later processing and delivery of the personal code.

After an ACSP completes the verification, Companies House sends the personal code to the applicant’s individual email address. The email should normally arrive within a few hours, although that timing is not guaranteed.

How the Remote Verification Process Works

Step 1: Send Your Documents

Send clear images of the documents you want to use.

For a passport, provide:

• the complete personal-details page;
• any observation page;
• any page showing a name amendment; and
• any relevant endorsement.

For a Latvian eID card or driving licence, send both the front and reverse.

Regarding a bank statement, utility bill, mortgage statement, insurance policy, birth certificate or marriage certificate, send the complete document rather than a cropped screenshot.

You must also provide:

• your full name;
• all former names;
• your date of birth;
• your current home address;
• your address history for the previous 12 months; and
• your individual email address.

Companies House requires ACSPs to collect this information and retain the required verification evidence for seven years.

Step 2: Confirm the Document Combination

We check whether each document falls within Group A or Group B.

The review may cover:

• whether the Latvian passport is biometric and machine-readable;
• whether the passport chip works;
• whether the passport matches LVA-AO-01005 or another valid model;
• whether the eID card matches LVA-BO-03001 or another valid model;
• whether the driving licence matches a current Latvian EU photocard model;
• whether any document has expired, been cancelled or been replaced;
• the physical condition of each document;
• Latvian diacritics and name endings;
• the Latvian and original foreign-language forms of the name;
• former and married surnames;
• the current residential address; and
• the previous 12 months of address history.

Where the proposed evidence does not meet the standard, we identify a stronger document combination before arranging the video call.

Step 3: Attend the Video Call

During the call, you must:

• appear clearly on camera;
• show the original documents;
• move or tilt them when requested;
• display their security features from different angles;
• confirm your personal information;
• complete a live facial comparison; and
• answer any necessary identity questions.

The verifier must confirm that you are a real person, the documents appear genuine and the identity belongs to you.

Step 4: Complete the ACSP Submission

After completing the required checks, the ACSP submits the verification information to Companies House.

The ACSP does not normally send the document copies to Companies House. However, it must keep:

• copies of the documents;
• supporting evidence;
• records of the checks;
• details of failed verification attempts; and
• other required verification information.

The ACSP must retain these records for seven years from the date it completes the identity verification.

Step 5: Receive Your Personal Code

Companies House sends the 11-character personal code to the individual email address supplied during the ACSP submission.

Make sure that the email address is correct and that you can access it.

Keep the code secure. You may share it with a trusted solicitor, accountant or company administrator who needs to file on your behalf.

How Latvian Directors Use the Personal Code

An existing director normally provides the personal code through the company’s next confirmation statement.

A new director provides the code as part of the appointment filing.

When forming a new company, the incorporation application must include a personal code for each proposed director.

You only need to verify your identity once. However, you must connect the same code to every separate director appointment that you hold.

How Latvian PSCs Use the Personal Code

A PSC must connect the personal code separately to the PSC role.

This applies even where the same person has already provided the code as a director.

The deadline depends on the circumstances:

• A person who acts as both director and PSC of the same company normally provides the PSC code during the 14 days beginning on the day after the company’s confirmation statement date.
• A PSC who does not act as a director of the same company normally provides the code during the first 14 days of their birth month.
• A new PSC may provide the code when Companies House first records the PSC or within 14 days of being added.

The same personal code can cover several companies and roles. You must still connect it separately to every relevant director and PSC position.

How Our Legal Consultant Can Help

Our Legal Consultant and partner solicitor can help Latvian nationals by:

• reviewing current Latvian biometric passports;
• checking older Latvian passport models;
• assessing whether a passport should work through GOV.UK One Login;
• reviewing Latvian eID cards;
• checking whether an eID card matches LVA-BO-03001 or another valid model;
• reviewing Latvian EU photocard driving licences;
• checking whether a driving licence matches LVA-FO-01003 or another relevant model;
• distinguishing a Latvian citizen passport from a Latvian non-citizen passport;
• explaining why a personas kods or digital eID screen does not replace an accepted document;
• reviewing a Register of Natural Persons statement as additional evidence;
• confirming the correct Group A and Group B combination;
• reviewing Latvian bank statements and address documents;
• checking Latvian birth and marriage certificates;
• comparing names with and without Latvian diacritics;
• comparing Latvian and original foreign-language name forms;
• checking surname changes following marriage or divorce;
• connecting birth, married and former names;
• identifying date-of-birth and address differences;
• arranging a remote video call;
• completing the required ACSP checks;
• submitting the verification to Companies House; and
• helping the applicant progress towards receiving the personal code.

Ginkgo Advisory’s Role

Our Legal Consultant and partner solicitor provide the identity-verification service.

Ginkgo Advisory supports the process through:

• preliminary document review;
• client communication;
• document coordination;
• appointment arrangements; and
• practical case handling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Use My Latvian Passport?

Yes.

A Latvian passport provides Group A photographic identity evidence. The current LVA-AO-01005 model may also work through the GOV.UK One Login app where its biometric chip can be read successfully.

Can I Use an Expired Latvian Passport?

Potentially, depending on the route.

The GOV.UK One Login app does not accept an expired passport.

Under ACSP Option 1, suitable technology may accept a biometric or machine-readable passport that expired within the previous six months.

A person-led Option 2 check may accept a passport that expired within the previous 18 months.

The passport must not have been cancelled or replaced.

Can I Use an Older Latvian Passport Model?

Potentially.

PRADO lists LVA-AO-01004 as a valid passport model. The exact passport must remain current or fall within the relevant Companies House expiry exception.

PRADO records LVA-AO-01003 as no longer valid after 26 January 2025. Do not rely on that model as a current passport.

How Do I Know Whether My Latvian Passport Is Biometric?

Check the front cover for the international biometric-passport symbol.

A biometric passport should contain a chip that a compatible phone can read. The current LVA-AO-01005 passport is designed as a modern biometric travel document.

Can I Use a Latvian Passport Issued Through the London Embassy?

Yes, subject to the normal document checks.

Passport and eID applications are made in person and the documents are issued through the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs in Latvia. An overseas application does not by itself make the passport non-biometric.

Can I Use My Latvian eID Card?

Yes, potentially as Group A evidence.

A current Latvian eID card is an EU national identity card. The current LVA-BO-03001 model provides the clearest route. A current LVA-BO-02001 card may also work, subject to validation.

Can I Use My Latvian eID Card Under Option 1?

Potentially.

Companies House accepts an EU identity card with biometric information under Option 1. The ACSP’s technology must support the exact Latvian card and validate its cryptographic and physical security features.

Can I Use an Expired Latvian eID Card?

Normally no.

Companies House does not provide a general expiry exception for EU identity cards. Use a current card or select another document combination.

Can I Use the Old LVA-BO-01001 eID Card?

No, not as a current document.

PRADO records that model as no longer valid after 31 August 2024.

Can I Use My Personas Kods?

No.

The number is a personal identifier rather than a photographic identity document. It is also different from the Companies House personal code.

Can I Use eParaksts, Smart-ID or a Latvija.gov.lv Screen?

Do not rely on a digital screen or login alone.

It may provide useful additional information, but it does not replace the original passport, eID card, driving licence or accepted Group B document.

Can I Use a Register of Natural Persons Statement?

It may provide helpful additional evidence of information held in Latvia’s Register of Natural Persons.

However, Companies House does not expressly list a foreign population-register statement in Group B. Use it alongside an accepted document combination.

Can I Use My Latvian Driving Licence?

Yes, potentially.

A current Latvian EU photocard driving licence falls within the Companies House driving-licence category. PRADO lists the current LVA-FO-01003 model.

Does Every Latvian Driving Licence Qualify?

No.

The physical card must remain valid, belong to the applicant, contain a clear photograph and pass the required checks. Send clear images of both sides for review before relying on it.

Can I Use a Digital Latvian Driving Licence?

Do not rely on the digital version alone.

Prepare the original physical card so the verifier can inspect its photograph and visible security features.

Can I Use My Latvian Driving Licence Through GOV.UK One Login?

Not in the GOV.UK One Login app.

The app accepts a UK photocard driving licence. However, a Latvian EU photocard driving licence may be accepted at a participating Post Office where that route is offered, and it can qualify through an ACSP.

Can I Use My Latvian eID Card at a Post Office?

Potentially.

The Post Office route lists a national identity photocard from an EU country as an accepted document type. You must first start the online process and be offered the Post Office route.

Can I Use a Latvian Non-Citizen Passport?

Potentially, but it requires individual review.

A Latvian non-citizen passport is not the same as a citizen passport and does not prove Latvian nationality. The ACSP must review the exact PRADO category, document model, holder status and present validity.

Can I Use a Latvian Emergency or Return Travel Document?

Potentially only after individual review.

Temporary or single-use travel documents may have a restricted purpose and may not provide the clearest Companies House route. Use a current ordinary passport or eID card where available.

Can I Use a Latvian Bank Statement?

Potentially.

A bank statement falls within Group B. The document must be genuine, complete, clear and capable of validation.

Can I Use a Latvian Utility Bill?

Potentially.

A utility bill falls within Group B where it clearly shows the applicant’s current residential address.

Can I Use a Latvian Mortgage Statement?

Potentially.

A mortgage statement may provide Group B evidence where it clearly shows the applicant’s current home address.

Can I Use a Latvian Insurance Policy?

Potentially.

An insurance policy may provide Group B evidence where it clearly shows the applicant’s current address.

Can I Use a Latvian Birth Certificate?

Potentially.

A birth certificate falls within Group B. Latvian birth certificates can be requested through the Latvian State Portal or the responsible civil-registration authority.

Can I Use a Latvian Marriage Certificate?

Potentially.

A marriage certificate falls within Group B and may help connect birth, married and former surnames.

Do Latvian Documents Need an English Translation?

Some documents may need a translation.

Latvian passports, eID cards and driving licences use standard identity-document fields and Latin script. Birth certificates, marriage records, bank statements and utility bills may contain material information only in Latvian.

Provide both the original and an English translation where requested.

What If My Name Contains Latvian Diacritics?

Send the complete document set for review.

Companies House or UK commercial records may omit Latvian diacritics. The ACSP should compare the current passport, eID card, supporting documents and Companies House record to confirm that the versions relate to the same person.

What If My Latvian and Foreign-Language Names Differ?

Provide documents showing both forms.

Latvian official records may adapt a foreign-origin name to Latvian spelling and grammatical rules. A foreign passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate or official name-form evidence may help connect the versions.

What If Companies House Omits One of My Forenames?

Provide the passport or eID card and supporting documents.

A shortened company record may still relate to the same person. The verifier must confirm that the complete evidence supports one identity.

What If My Name Contains a Hyphen, Double Surname or Different Ending?

Send all relevant documents.

The ACSP should compare the exact punctuation, spaces, diacritics, grammatical endings and word order shown on the passport, eID card, driving licence and Companies House register.

What If I Changed My Surname After Marriage?

Provide:

• the current passport;
• current eID card;
• marriage certificate;
• former passport or eID card where available;
• Register of Natural Persons evidence where relevant; and
• documents showing the surname used at Companies House.

The evidence should connect the birth, married and current surname.

What If I Changed My Name Formally?

Provide the official name-change evidence and current passport or eID card.

Latvian guidance requires supporting evidence where an identity document is replaced following a name change or change to registered information.

What If I Changed My Latvian Personal Identity Number?

Provide evidence connecting the former and current personas kods.

Latvia allows certain people with an older personal identity number containing the date of birth to change it once to a number that does not contain the date of birth. The change invalidates affected Latvian identity documents and requires replacement of documents that display the number.

Can I Verify My Identity While Living in Latvia?

Yes.

An ACSP can complete the check remotely from any country where the documents meet the Companies House standard and the video process allows the verifier to confirm the applicant’s identity.

Do I Always Need Two Documents?

You need two documents for a person-led remote or in-person Option 2 check.

One eligible document may be enough under Option 1 where suitable technology validates all required security features.

Must I Post My Original Latvian Passport or eID Card?

Usually not for an approved remote video process.

You send clear images for preliminary review and show the original documents during the video call.

Can I Use One Personal Code as Both a Director and PSC?

Yes.

The personal code belongs to you. However, you must connect it separately to your director role and PSC role.

Can You Complete the Verification on the Same Day?

Same-day identity checks and ACSP submission may be available where:

• we approve the document set in advance;
• the applicant provides all required information;
• the documents pass the necessary checks;
• the Companies House record matches;
• the applicant completes the video call; and
• no unresolved identity or compliance concern remains.

Companies House controls when it issues and delivers the personal code.

Need Companies House Identity Verification for a Latvian Director or PSC?

Latvian nationals will usually have one of these practical document routes:

• a Latvian biometric passport plus a current Latvian eID card;
• a Latvian passport plus a current Latvian EU photocard driving licence;
• a current Latvian eID card plus a current Latvian EU photocard driving licence;
• a Latvian passport or eID card plus an accepted Group B supporting document;
• a Latvian passport plus a valid UK photocard driving licence;
• a Latvian passport plus an eligible UK immigration document; or
• one eligible Latvian passport, eID card or EU driving licence under a suitable technology-led Option 1 process.

Latvian applicants have a comparatively strong document position because Latvia issues an EU national identity card and EU photocard driving licence in addition to a biometric passport.

Some cases need extra care, especially where the applicant has:

• an expired or replaced eID card;
• an invalid older eID model;
• an older passport model;
• a passport or card that the chosen technology cannot read;
• only a digital eID or eParaksts screen;
• only a personas kods or Register of Natural Persons screen;
• a temporary or emergency travel document;
• a Latvian non-citizen passport;
• different versions of a name with and without Latvian diacritics;
• a Latvian and original foreign-language name form;
• several forenames;
• a double or hyphenated surname;
• a married or former surname;
• a formal Latvian name change;
• a changed personal identity number;
• an incorrect date of birth; or
• information that does not match the Companies House register.

Our Legal Consultant and partner solicitor can review your documents, confirm the most suitable route and arrange remote Companies House identity verification by video call.

Same-day identity checks and ACSP submission may be available where the applicant provides a complete and suitable document set.