Procurement of documents in Lithuania

The company Schmidt & Schmidt provides services for the reclamation of civil status documents, as well as obtaining duplicates, lost or damaged documents in Lithuania with their subsequent legalization and translation.

It often happens that civil status documents are lost or damaged, or it is necessary to obtain current copies of documents. In this case, it is necessary to reclaim duplicates of documents. Often, those who have left Lithuania face difficulties in this procedure. Our service allows you to reclaim documents in Lithuania remotely, and we can carry out courier delivery of the document to anywhere in the world.

Validity of civil status documents in Lithuania

Civil status documents issued in Lithuania do not have an expiration date. The receiving party may impose requirements regarding the validity period.

When to obtain duplicate documents in Lithuania

A duplicate birth certificate, marriage certificate, name change certificate, divorce certificate, criminal record certificate or death certificate may be required to register a marriage abroad, a newborn child, citizenship, inheritance, data verification for pension applications, opening bank accounts, employment and other bureaucratic issues.

What documents can be requested in Lithuania

  • Certificate of birth
  • Marriage certificate
  • Change of name certificate
  • Divorce certificate
  • Death certificate
  • Criminal record
  • Educational documents
  • Other documents

Birth certificate (Gimimo liudijimas)

A birth certificate is an official document provided by the Registrar or acting Registrar of the relevant Civil or Consular Register. It verifies details of an individual's birth, including the date, sex, and, if applicable, the time of birth and family relationships.

It is issued at the Civil Registry Office (Civilinės metrikacijos skyrius) of the municipality where the birth occurred. It is required for obtaining other official documents (e.g., passport, national ID). Parents must register the birth within 3 months at the Civil Registry Office. Copies or duplicates can be obtained later from the same office or via the Lithuanian Migration Department.

Required documents

  • Full birth name on the certificate
  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth
  • Gender
  • Mother's full birth name
  • Father's full name, if recorded

Marriage certificate (Santuokos liudijimas)

The marriage certificate is the legal record of marriage, used to verify marital status. It is usually required for procedures such as changing the last name, applying for spousal benefits, immigration applications and for inheritance matters.

A marriage certificate can be requested by either spouse involved in the marriage or their authorized representatives. In certain situations, individuals with a legitimate interest, such as for legal proceedings, can also request this document​.

The Issuing Authority is the Civil Registry Office where the marriage took place. After the civil marriage ceremony, the certificate is issued immediately. Copies can be requested later from the Civil Registry Office.

Required documents

  • Full names before marriage
  • Date of marriage
  • Name and full address of church, civil registration office or venue where the marriage took place

Divorce Certificate (Ištuokos liudijimas)

A divorce certificate (also known as decrees) serves the purpose to verify the legal dissolution of a marriage. It is required for procedures such as remarrying, updating marital status on legal records, immigration applications, and legal matters involving custody, support, or property division.

The issuing Authority is the Civil Registry Office if the divorce was uncontested and the district Court (Apylinkės teismas) if the divorce involved court proceedings.

After the divorce is finalized, one of the former spouses can request the certificate from the Civil Registry Office or the court.

Required documents

  • Name of both parties
  • Date and place of divorce
  • Case number
  • Identification and eligibility proof

Death Certificate (Mirties liudijimas)

A death certificate officially records the details of an individual’s death, such as the date, time, and location, and is issued by the municipal authority where the death occurred.

Close relatives, such as a spouse, child, or parent, may request the certificate. Authorized representatives, such as legal professionals, may also request it if they have a legitimate interest, such as settling an estate or conducting legal proceedings​.

The death certificate is important for several purposes such as state and inheritance matters. It is required to initiate, probate or distribute the deceased's estate. It is needed to terminate contracts, bank accounts, or subscriptions in the deceased’s name. Insurers and pension administrators require the certificate to process claims and benefits. In some cases, funeral homes may need the document to proceed with the burial or cremation.

Required documents

  • Full name of the deceased
  • Date and place of death
  • Relationship to the deceased
  • Identification and proof of eligibility to access the record

Police Clearance Certificate (Nesukaltumo pažyma)

A criminal record certificate, also known as a police certificate, is a document used to verify an individual's criminal record or confirm the absence of one. It is required for employment in sensitive fields, visa or immigration applications, volunteering and adoption proceedings.

The issuing authority is the Police Department under the Ministry of the Interior of Lithuania. It contains information such as full name of the individual and confirmation of no criminal record or details of any convictions.

It can be requested online by request through the Lithuanian e-government portal E-paslaugos. In person application is possible at a police station or the Migration Department.

For International Use

If you need a criminal record certificate for use abroad, it must be obtained from the General Prosecutor's Office or its regional branches. This version is issued on official letterhead and often requires an apostille for international validation.

Educational Documents

Foreign educational documents only carry the same legal value as Lithuanian documents if they are exempt from legalization or have undergone the necessary legalization process. Documents from countries with bilateral agreements with Lithuania are fully exempt from legalization. Documents from countries that are part of the Hague Convention of 1961 undergo a simplified procedure called apostille. If neither countries are part of the convention or have bilateral agreements they undergo consular legalization

Apostille of duplicate documents in Lithuania

Lithuania joined the Hague Convention on the Simplified Legalization of Documents on the 11th March 1973.
Thus, documents issued in Lithuania are subject to legalization under a simplified procedure - apostille, after notarized translation into any language, such documents acquire full legal force in the territory of the wished destination.
You can order an apostille for copies and duplicates of documents from Lithuania from us.