<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-01-21</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>1</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000350847</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>RIGGS NATIONAL CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>RIGS</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001231921</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CRAIG WILLIAM A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O RIGGS NATIONAL CORP</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>800 17TH STREET N.W. (B-7001)</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WASHINGTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>DC</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>20008</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <remarks>The reporting person if no longer subject to Section 16 reporting.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: Mary B. LeMont Attorney-in-Fact for W. Craig</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-02-06</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

