Polish citizenship – documents

If anybody is interested in Polish citizenship he/ she should know about requirements. And to get confirmation of Polish citizenship each person must confirm, that ancestors also hold Polish citizenship and didn’t looose it later. But only a few of them still have Polish documents – usually descendants (children, grandchildren) don’t know what had happened with them. In many times these documents just disappeared when Polish emigrants migrated to other countries. But it doesn’t mean, that way to get Polish citizenship is closed – it’s absolutely not true!.

In Poland, various documents that could confirm Polish citizenship of people who emigrated even before II World War remained in Polish archives and many other instututions that maintain some valuable records. So for most of these people (children and grandchildren of Polish emigrants) confirmation their Polish citizenship may be still possible. Searching for documents that would confirm Polish citizenship could last 1-2 months or even more – everything depends on many factors – such like place (city/ village) where we search for these proofs of Polish citizenship, details applicant know about history of Polish family and others.

It’s very important info – because usually descendants of Polish emigrants think – that they must have these documents or they won’t be eligible. All these people may be eligible – there could be only question of proofs for certain procedure (confirmation of Polish citizenship). Such documents like old Polish passport or Polish IDs don’t have to be really required if other evidences would be gathered.

If are interested in Polish citizenship and you want to know more about this procedure – just click link on right side of this page.

Polish citizenship, confirmation of Polish citizenship – for Polish emigrants

Polish citizenship for Polish emigrants

Polish emigrants who are interested in the Polish citizenship could read similar statements on websites of Polish diplomatic agencies:

“Citizens who do not have documents proving the Polish citizenship (a Polish passport or ID) or whose personal data and citizenship can not be ascertained, may apply for confirmation of Polish citizenship.

Citizens over 18 years old who were born outside Poland and/or have never possessed documents proving their Polish citizenship (a Polish passport or ID) prior to applying for the Polish passport at a consulate must obtain a certificate confirming their Polish citizenship.

The certificate of confirmation of Polish citizenship or its loss, or refusal of its confirmation, is issued by an appropriate provincial governor. Applicants residing abroad submit an application through a consulate according to their place of residence. After verification, the application is transferred by the consulate to the provincial governor’s office, in accordance with the applicant’s last place of residence in Poland (in case of applicants who have never resided in Poland – to the Provincial Governor Office in Warsaw). The decision of the governor is sent forward to the applicant through the consulate.”

Some people could understand that a Polish consulate / Polish embassy MUST participate in such a procedure. It is not true. The whole procedure is carried out in Poland, with no participation of diplomatic agencies. Polish embassies spend only very little time to cases of people interested in getting the certification of Polish citizenship, their function is limited to formal reception of applications and sending them later to the country.

Polish passport – Not only for Israelis

In last years, media and large newspapers wrote a lot about Israelis with Polish roots, who want to confirm their Polish citizenship and get a Polish passport. But – as we suppose – this interesting topic is still being forgotten in USA and both Americas, where thousands of Poles emigrated to in XX century. It is a great opportunity for Pol-Ams, who could refresh their connections with Poland, their old country and confirm their Polish citizenship.

“If at least two of your grandparents had the Polish citizenship and did not renounce it, the Pol-Am is required to apply for what is known as the “confirmation of citizenship”. None of Polish Americans who have asked me about becoming a Polish citizen intended to give up their American citizenship. Neither the US nor Poland expressly forbid a dual citizenship, but neither promotes it. In essence, they turn a blind eye and ignore any citizenship other than their own. That means that a holder of dual (or even triple, quadruple etc.) citizenship is regarded as a citizen of a country he is currently in and is bound by all its laws.” – Justyna Ball reported in “News of Polonia”. It’s a sign that the issue of Polish citizenship will be much more important for Pol – Ams in next years.

Polish passport

It is good to know that people who have Polish roots, who do not have documents which prove the Polish citizenship (a Polish passport or ID) or whose personal data and citizenship cannot be ascertained, may apply for an official document which confirm their Polish citizenship – the confirmation of Polish citizenship.

The principles of Polish citizenship are governed by the Constitution of the Republic of Poland and the Polish Citizenship Act of February 15 1962.

Polish law of citizenship is based upon the principles of ius sanguinis. Children born by Polish parents (even one parent) usually obtain the Polish citizenship regardless of the place of birth. Persons born in Poland by foreign parents do not normally acquire Polish citizenship.

Polish law does not deal with the problem of dual citizenship, therefore Poland consider a person with dual citizenship as if he or she was only a Pole. Thus, Poland does not recognize the foreign citizenship of people when they are on Polish soil.

People, who do not possess documents which provide evidence of their Polish citizenship, and who would like to know whether they still possess this citizenship or have lost it, may apply for the confirmation of possession of Polish citizenship. In case of persons belonging to the second or subsequent generation of Polish emigrants, to decide whether the person has retained Polish citizenship it is indispensable, inter alia, to present some documents, beginning with a birth certificate issued in Poland belonging to a family member in direct line with descent who once in the past settled outside the borders of Poland.

To confirm the Polish citizenship, such documents are usually needed:

- An application letter filled in Polish.
- Birth certificate.
- Marriage certificate (if applicable).

- A detailed autobiography in Polish (including the details of Polish ancestry).
- Certified (by notary or embassy) copy of foreign passport or another ID.
- Certified (by notary or embassy) copy of naturalization certificate of the applicant, his or her parents or grandparents (whichever applicable).

- Document which prove that person changed his/her name or surname.
- Declaration (in Polish) what other citizenship(s) applicant hold (or held).
- Declaration (in Polish) if applicant or his/her parents or grandparents ever renounced Polish citizenship (it can be written in the application).
- Certified copies of any documents confirming Polish ancestry (e.g. your parents’ or grandparents’ birth, baptism or marriage certificates etc.).

All forms need to be completed in Polish and all documents need to be prepared in Polish (translations).

Confirmation of Polish citizenship or its loss is granted by a provincial governor.

Documents must be original or certified (by notary) with an aposttile on the back.

Consular fee must be also paid.

To obtain Polish passport each person needs to have:

- Polish citizenship.

- Polish birth certificate.

- Polish marriage certificate (if got married outside Poland).

Polish birth certificate and marriage certificate can be acquired in a proper office of vital records – the authorities which carry out the procedure called the transcription.