On Thursday, 7 September, the Saeima adopted in the third reading amendments to the Civil Law as well as related amendments providing that the bride and the bridegroom may invite one or two persons at the age of majority as witnesses, but their non-appearance will not preclude entering into marriage.

The amendments will enter into force on 1 July 2024 and will apply in cases when the application and other documents necessary for entering into marriage will have been submitted to the General Registry Office or a diplomatic or consular mission of the Republic of Latvia abroad after that date.

In addition, the amendments stipulate that ministers belonging to the Dievturi denomination may also solemnise marriage. The amendments will enter into effect simultaneously with a separate law governing the relationship between the state and the Dievturi religious organisation.

In addition, the amendments provide for a deadline for contesting a paternity presumption in court. Before, the law established that a child may contest the paternity presumption within two years after reaching the age of majority. According to the amendments, a child who has reached the age of majority may contest the paternity presumption in court within two years of the day of discovering the circumstances that preclude paternity. If the child has found out about the circumstances that preclude paternity prior to reaching the age of majority, they may contest the paternity presumption within two years after reaching the age of majority.

Saeima Press Service