Searching for and Ordering a Birth Certificate in Lithuania

Obtaining a birth certificate in Lithuania is an essential step for many official processes, including Lithuanian citizenship restoration, inheritance claims, and migration matters. If you are searching for and ordering a birth certificate in Lithuania, it’s important to know the official procedures and requirements to avoid delays. Whether you are searching for and ordering a birth certificate in Lithuania for yourself or your relatives, understanding the procedures and available options can save you time and effort.. This guide explains how to search for and order birth certificates in Lithuania, highlighting recent changes in the civil registry system, archive locations, and legal requirements to help you navigate the process smoothly.

What Changed After 2017? – Birth Certificate Extracts in Lithuania

Since 01 January 2017, civil registry offices of the Republic of Lithuania have started to issue extracts confirming the record of civil status in a form set by the Minister of Justice of the Republic of Lithuania instead of registration certificates of the record of civil status. Extracts may be issued upon a receipt of the petitioner’s application immediately after registration of the civil status act (right away after birth of a child) or anytime later at the civil registry office, consular post, or the Centre of Registers.

Where Are Lithuanian Birth Records Stored?

When searching for and ordering a birth certificate in Lithuania, knowing the storage locations of birth records is crucial.

Extracts confirming the record of birth of the persons born after 1940 are stored in the Archives of the civil registry division. The extract may be issued to a person who has reached the age of 16, as well as to his parents or foster parents, regardless of age of a person.

Who Can Request a Birth Certificate Extract?

When searching for and ordering a birth certificate in Lithuania, the following details shall be specified: person’s name (names), surname (surnames), date of birth (or year of birth) and place of birth.

How to Request a Relative’s Birth Certificate

Special rules apply when searching for and ordering a birth certificate in Lithuania for relatives, which require additional documents.

Extracts confirming the record of birth of the relatives (spouse, parents, grandparents, great-grandparents) are issued only with their consent or upon their death. In such a case the hereunder mentioned documents shall be additionally submitted to an application:

• Person’s consent or death certificate;

• Documents evidencing kinship (birth certificate (certificates), marriage certificate).

Birth Records Before 1940 – State Historical Archives

Searches for extracts confirming the record of birth of the persons born before 1940 are carried out in the Lithuanian State Historical Archives, located at Mindaugo St. 8, Vilnius. Metrics books of all religious communities and churches are stored here. It has to be mentioned that, depending on the territory and the church, although the books stored in this Archives date back even to the 16th century, not all of them are still extant. Since the Catholic belief prevailed in Lithuania, the RKB metrics books are the most preserved, and the Jewish metrics funds are also quite abundant. Only few of metrics books of Orthodox, Old Believers, Evangelical Lutheran, Evangelical Reformers, Muslim, or Karaite have survived.

Religious Records in the Lithuanian Archives

When searching for and ordering a birth certificate in Lithuania, the following information should be indicated: person’s name (names), surname (surnames), date of birth (or year of birth), place of birth, father’s name and surname, mother’s name, and maiden name, religious community, or faith (if known).

How Long Does the Archive Search Take?

Processing an application in the Lithuanian State Historical Archives is optionally available in order of precedence (approximately per month), within 10 working days, or within 5 working days.

Why Legal Assistance Can Help with Document Retrieval

Navigating the process of searching for and ordering a birth certificate in Lithuania can be complex, especially when dealing with older records, unclear documentation, or strict procedural requirements. Legal professionals specializing in civil registry and archival research have in-depth knowledge of the archives’ structure, document standards, and administrative procedures. Their expertise helps to minimize errors, avoid unnecessary delays, and ensure that your application is correctly prepared and submitted.

By engaging legal assistance, you also gain support in cases where additional documents are required—such as proof of kinship or consent from relatives—and help with document legalization, translation, or apostille services. This comprehensive support not only saves you valuable time but also provides peace of mind that your important documents will be retrieved properly and promptly.

Need Professional Help? Contact Migration Law Center

If you need professional help with searching for and ordering a birth certificate in Lithuania or any other civil registry matters, Migration Law Center is here to assist you. Our experienced legal team can handle the entire process on your behalf, ensuring accurate and timely delivery of your documents.

Contact us today:
📧 Email: info@migration.lt
📞 Phone: +370 685 63053

Don’t hesitate to reach out — let us simplify your document retrieval and support your legal needs with expertise and care.