100 years since Lithuanian passports have been universally issued to the citizens of the Republic of Lithuania
On the 1st of April, 100th anniversary since Lithuanian passports have been issued to all Lithuanian citizens is celebrated. After the restoration of the independent state of Lithuania on 16 February 1918, the first internal Lithuanian passports of set example were launched in 1919. Existing personal documents were changed into internal passports of independent Lithuania up to 31 March 1922, when the validity date of the passports issued by the tsarist power and German occupation authorities expired.
The first Lithuanian passports were of cardboard and without watermarks. The covers were ordinary, of sandy colour and with the only inscribed word Pasas. On the first page of the cover there was the emblem of Vytis. The passport included the name, date of birth, marital status, work position or occupation. Also, hair colour, face shape, colour of eyes and special features were indicated. The latter could be of different types, such as physical disabilities, skin diseases, moles, scars or tattoos which were then called simply pictures. Such religion and nationality were inscribed as indicated by the citizen. Passports were exclusively Lithuanian, not in Yiddish, Polish or other languages. Separate foreign passports were issued for travelling abroad.
Last updated: 10-10-2023
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