Poland in Ethiopia

You can apply for a child’s temporary passport at any Polish consular post. Please remember that you will apply for and collect the child's new temporary passport at the same consular post.

 The temporary passport application for a child can be submitted in person by:

• the child's mother and father or legal guardian or attorney ad litem

or

• one of the parents if they present: 

- a written consent of the other parent to issue a temporary passport to the child with the signature authenticated by a notary;

- a final and non-appealable court ruling terminating, restricting or suspending parental rights under which the other parent (guardian) has no right to make decisions about issuing a passport to the child, or
- a final and non-appealable family court ruling in which the court consents to the issue of a passport for a child without the other parent's consent.

Furthermore, the consent is not required if: 

- the full copy of a Polish birth certificate states that the father of the child is unknown (there was no recognition of fatherhood or judicial establishment of paternity);  

- the other parent is deceased.

It the other parent’s death was registered in Poland, you do not need to submit a copy of the death certificate (a consular officer will confirm the details contained in the certificate in a Polish register of births, marriages and deaths). 

It the other parent’s death was not registered in Poland, you must submit a copy of the foreign death certificate.

PLEASE NOTE: The other parent who cannot be present when submitting the application can give their consent to issue a temporary passport for a child by:

- sending a letter with their consent to the consular post, signed with a qualified electronic signature, trusted signature, or personal signature;

-using the e-service:  Consent to the issue of a passport for a child;

- registering their consent with any passport authority in or outside Poland (consul).

A child under 5 does not need to be present when you submit the application.

You can book your appointment to apply for a temporary passport via e-mail:  addisabeba.konsul@msz.gov.pl

PLEASE NOTE: In an emergency (for example, in case of a death of a family member, sudden illness, lost or stolen documents and the need to urgently return to the place of permanent residence), call a consular post or send an e-mail describing your situation and attach the supporting documents. Please remember to specify your given name, surname, place of residence outside Poland and a phone in the e-mail.  

During your appointment at the consular post, you will make an electronic application for a child’s temporary passport to be issued by a Polish consul. A consular employee will fill in the electronic form, while the parents confirm the child’s details and consent to issue the passport by signing on the designated device (Signature Pad).

• The child’s biometric colour photo—read what the photo should look like.

PLEASE NOTE: You must attach a photo to the application. If you do not attach the photo or if it does not meet the requirements, the consul will not accept your application.

• A valid passport or ID card (if issued) confirming the child’s identity and Polish nationality.
• The parents’ valid passports or ID cards.

If the child does not have the PESEL number, before applying for a passport you must transcribe (register) their foreign birth certificate. 

NOTE: In case of reasonable doubts as to the identity or the nationality of the child or other details necessary to file the passport application, the consul may request that you submit additional documents.  

REMEMBER! If you are planning to travel abroad with the temporary passport, check the current rules of entry and stay of foreigners in the country of destination. Make sure that the child can cross the border with the temporary passport and check the required validity period (at entry and departure).

The fee for issuing a temporary passport while you wait for the biometric passport is: 24 USD

The fee for a temporary passport issued for other purpose than to cover the biometric passport delivery time is:  

59 – in office hours,

118 – outside office hours,

235 – on a non-business day.

NOTE: Reduced fees do not apply in the case of issuing a temporary passport (reduced fees only apply to biometric passports).

The fees must be paid at the consular post when submitting the application. Accepted forms of payment: cash. 

You will receive the child's temporary passport as soon as possible. 

The child's temporary passport can be collected by either of the parents (guardians) in person. Arrange the collection date of temporary passport with the consul.

When collecting the new document, bring the child's previous passport (or valid temporary passport) to the consulate. 

PLEASE NOTE: The consul may agree that you do not have to collect the passport personally. Discuss this as you submit the application. You will have to cover the delivery costs.

The consul will send the temporary passport to the indicated address by mail or courier, ensuring the security of the document. The consul will annul the current valid passport before the new document is sent.

REMEMBER! If you have received a new temporary passport for a child by mail, you must activate it yourself via a dedicated electronic service. To activate the passport, you will need:

• Internet access,
• the child’s passport series and number,
• the 16-digit passport application number (you will find it in the proof of receipt of your passport application).

PLEASE NOTE: The consul does not send passports to persons staying outside the consular district in which the application was filed.

Can a child get a temporary passport?

A temporary passport may be issued, for instance:

- if you are staying outside Poland and are waiting to collect your passport (if this is your wish and you apply for the temporary passport);

- in the event of an emergency (for example, to enable you to return to the place of your permanent residence, due to illness, funeral of a family member, or work-related matters) if you submit documents confirming the occurrence of the above circumstances, which require you to obtain the document urgently.