Poland in New Zealand

Apostille is a certification that a document has been issued by a relevant authority. It certifies the authenticity of signature/s and stamp/s of a foreign official, which allows you to use a foreign official document in Poland.

Both Poland and New Zealand, are parties to the Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents signed in the Hague on 5 October 1961. This means that it is sufficient to obtain the apostille at a local authority to use a New Zealand document in Poland. Apostille on documents issued in New Zealand is issued by the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs (more information here).

The consul is not part of the process of obtaining an apostille.

If a foreign authority requires an apostille on a Polish document, please visit the Polish MFA's website.

On 16 February 2019 changes were introduced in the certification of certain public documents issued in one EU member state for the purpose of presentation in another EU member state. 
The changes result from entering into force on 16 February 2019 of Regulation (EU) 2016/1191 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 July 2016 on promoting the free movement of citizens by simplifying the requirements for presenting certain public documents in the European Union and amending Regulation (EU) No 1024/2012 (regulation 2016/1191) which renders the attachment of apostille to certain kinds of documents unnecessary.

The regulation applies to documents related to: birth, life certification, death, name and surname, marriage (also non-impediment to marriage and marital status), divorce, separation or annulment of marriage, parentage, adoption, place of residence or stay, citizenship, criminal record.

The authorities of EU member states cannot require the apostille if the presented document issued in another EU member state is covered by Regulation 2016/1191.