The language rule
Lithuanian courts work in Lithuanian. Every document you file, and every attachment, must be in Lithuanian or come with a Lithuanian translation certified in the way the law requires.
This applies to everything: certificates, court decisions from abroad, contracts, bank statements, even key messages you rely on as evidence. If the other parent does not speak Lithuanian, the court can also require translations into a language they understand.
Tip. Translate only what you actually rely on. For long documents, the relevant pages or extracts are often enough.
Apostille: when you need one and when you do not
An apostille is a certificate confirming that a public document, such as a birth certificate or court decision, is genuine. Lithuania is part of the Hague Apostille Convention.
Documents from EU countries
For many public documents issued in another EU Member State, no apostille is needed. This covers documents about birth, marriage, divorce, parenthood, name, residence and similar matters. For some of them you can also request a multilingual standard form from the issuing authority, which can reduce the need for translation.
Documents from outside the EU
Public documents from non-EU countries usually need an apostille, if the country is part of the Apostille Convention, or consular legalisation if it is not. Some countries have bilateral treaties with Lithuania that remove this requirement, so it is worth checking for your country.
Special cases
- Child abduction cases. Documents used under the Hague Child Abduction Convention do not need legalisation or similar formalities.
- Property in Lithuania. Foreign documents about transferring ownership of real estate in Lithuania must be certified at a Lithuanian embassy or consulate. The same applies to any document whose authenticity the court doubts.
Copies instead of originals
You do not always have to send original documents across borders. Copies can be certified by:
- a notary;
- the authority that issued the document;
- a lawyer taking part in the case.
The court can still ask for an original if it has a reason to.
If you live abroad: receiving court papers
This is the point people most often miss. If you are a party to a case in Lithuania and live abroad, you must either have a representative in the case or name a person in Lithuania to receive court documents for you.
If you do neither, court documents meant for you can be left in the case file and treated as delivered. You might not learn about a hearing or a deadline until it has passed. The court must explain this when it first sends you documents, but it is far safer to arrange representation from the start.
In some cases, such as child return applications, an email address can be given instead.
Being represented without travelling
You can handle most family cases in Lithuania without coming here:
- A Lithuanian lawyer can represent you in court on the basis of a legal services agreement.
- Divorce by mutual consent is often decided in written proceedings, without a hearing.
- Hearings can sometimes be attended remotely, depending on the court and the case.
Some steps need more formality. Where a notarised power of attorney is required, for example for some property transactions, you can sign it before a notary in your country, or at a Lithuanian embassy or consulate, and add an apostille if needed.
A checklist for most family cases
Depending on your situation, gather:
- your passport or ID card;
- your marriage certificate, and the divorce decision if you are already divorced elsewhere;
- your children’s birth certificates;
- any court decisions or agreements about the children, maintenance or property;
- proof of where you and the children live: tenancy, school, registration;
- income documents: payslips, tax returns, employment contract;
- your marriage contract, if you have one.
Ask your lawyer which of these need translations and which need an apostille before you start ordering them. It saves time and money, and avoids documents being returned.