Poland in the UK

• To confirm the possession or loss of Polish citizenship, you shall apply to the provincial governor through a Polish consular office responsible for your place of residence.
• If you reside in the UK, you can apply through the consulates in Belfast, Edinburgh, London or Manchester.
• Foreigners residing in Poland should apply directly to the province governor (voivode).

• You can submit the documents in person (by appointment) or send them by postal mail.
• Applications sent via email will not be accepted.

1. Application Form: a completed application for confirmation of possession or loss of Polish citizenship (must be completed in Polish).
2. Proof of Polish Citizenship: any documents that may help establish Polish citizenship, including:
   1. registry office records,
   2. documents confirming the Polish origin of your parents or grandparents (e.g., birth or marriage certificates, baptism certificates, copies of Polish documents belonging to your parents or grandparents, etc.).
3. Name Change Documents (if applicable): copies of documents confirming a change of name, such as:
   1. marriage certificate
   2. certificate of name change,
   3. other relevant legal documents.
4. Identification Document: the original of a valid identification document (for verification purposes only).
5. Marital Status Confirmation: a registry office record confirming your marital status, such as:
   1. marriage certificate,
   2. divorce decree,
   3. spouse's death certificate.
6. Birth Certificate: if you were born outside Poland, you must present your full birth certificate that includes your parents' names.

Important Notes

• Language Requirement: the application must be completed in Polish only.
• Original Documents: both original Polish and foreign documents must be submitted with the application; copies of these documents must be certified by a consul as true copies of the originals.
• Translations: all documents issued in a foreign language must be translated into Polish (i.e. by a sworn translator or a consul).
• EU Documents: some documents issued in the EU country may be accompanied by a multilingual standard form issued under Regulation 2016/1191, instead of a translation.
• Apostille for EU Documents: some documents issued in EU countries that are not covered by Regulation 2016/1191 may have an apostille attached.
• Apostille or Legalization for Non-EU Documents: documents issued outside the EU:
  • If from a country that is a party to the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961, an apostille may be attached.
  • If from a non-signatory country, the document may be legalized by a Polish consul.
• Additional Documents: if there are doubts or gaps in evidence, the provincial governor may issue a summons requesting additional documents to accurately establish the factual circumstances of the case.

• The fee is 67 GBP.
• An unpaid application will not be processed. Make sure to submit the required payment along with your application for it to be considered.

• The consul will immediately forward your application to the appropriate provincial governor.
• The processing time depends on how quickly the provincial governor can collect all the necessary information and documents for your case.
• There is no fixed timeframe, as the duration varies depending on individual circumstances.

• You can collect the documents in person.
• The consul can also send the documents to an address of your choice – please discuss this option when submitting your application.

• You have the right to appeal the decision to the Minister of the Interior and Administration.
• The appeal must be submitted through the provincial governor who issued the decision.
• You must file the appeal within 14 days from the date you received the decision.

How can I confirm my Polish citizenship?

• A valid Polish passport or personal ID card serves as proof of Polish citizenship.
• If you do not have these documents but believe you possess Polish citizenship, or if your citizenship status cannot be determined, you may apply for confirmation of Polish citizenship through administrative proceedings.

What a consul cannot help you with in the procedure of confirming the possession or loss of my Polish citizenship?

• The consul does not assist in obtaining historical documents that confirm the Polish citizenship of your ancestors.
• The consul does not help with searching for documents in archives, registry offices, or other institutions.
• The consul does not provide assistance in filling out the application or offering advisory services.

For these tasks, you may need to explore other resources, such as genealogical research services or legal advisors specializing in Polish citizenship matters.