Regulations regarding Usage of Foreign Languages in Seals, Stamps and Printed Forms

Issued pursuant to Section 20, Paragraph four
of the Official Language Law

1. These Regulations prescribe cases where:

1.1. State and local government authorities, courts and institutions belonging to the court system, as well as State and local government undertakings in which the largest capital share is owned by the State or a local government may also use foreign languages concurrently with the official language in creating and using seals, stamps and printed forms; and

1.2. private institutions, organisations, undertakings (companies) and those self-employed persons who in accordance with laws or other regulatory enactments perform specific public functions may also use foreign languages concurrently with the official language in creating and using seals, stamps and printed forms.

2. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and institutions subordinated thereto, in performing functions involving foreign affairs, may also use foreign languages concurrently with the official language in seals, stamps and printed forms.

3. Usage of foreign languages concurrently with the official language shall also be allowed in correspondence with international institutions, which operate in Latvia.

4. In correspondence with foreign addressees, foreign languages may be used concurrently with the official language in seals, stamps and printed forms.

5. If a foreign language is being used concurrently with the official language, the text in the official language shall be placed in a primary position, and it may not, in either its form or content, be smaller or narrower than the text in the foreign language.

6. The State Language Centre shall monitor compliance with these Regulations.

7. These Regulations shall come into force on 1 September 2000.

Prime Minister A. Bērziņš

Minister for Justice I. Labucka

Translation © 2005 Tulkošanas un terminoloģijas centrs (Translation and Terminology Centre)