Poland in Canada

To renounce Polish citizenship, you should apply to the President of the Republic of Poland through a consul at a Polish consular office of your local competence (please visit the section "Embassy & Consulates" for contact information and opening hours of the consular offices of Poland in Canada).

Please note: Applications sent directly to the Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland will be returned.

You can submit the documents personally or send them by mail. Please note! If you send your application by mail, you need to have the signature on it officially confirmed.

The approval for the renunciation of Polish citizenship by either of the parents also extends to a minor in their custody if: the other parent is deprived of parental custody or made a statement 1) personally for the record before a consul or 2) by mail with the officially confirmed signature that they consent  to the minor's losing Polish citizenship.

Children aged 16 to 18 must consent to submitting the application to renounce citizenship. They can do it personally at a consulate by making a statement to the protocol or by mail with the officially confirmed signature.

You can book your appointment via the e-konsulat system / by phone / by e-mail - see the section "Embassy & Consulates" for contact information and opening hours. 

The appointmant at the Consulate General of Poland in Toronto can only be booked by email: toronto.info@msz.gov.pl

Required documents:

1. application for consent to renounce Polish citizenship,
2. passport photo,
3. documents to confirm:

• your particulars,
• particulars of your spouse (if applicable),
• particulars of a child if covered by this application (if applicable),
• document to confirm your foreign citizenship or a promise to be granted one,
• any documents you possess to confirm your Polish citizenship.

Data and information provided in the application can be supported by documents:

• stating the identity and citizenship,
• copies of Polish birth certificates,
• copies of Polish marriage certificates or other documents confirming marital status,
• stating the spouse's identity and citizenship,
• stating the child's/children's identity,

If the application to renounce Polish citizenship also covers a minor, additional documents are required:

1. copy of the child's birth certificate,
2. the other parent's statement of consent for the child to lose Polish citizenship - the statement is made personally for the record before a consul or by mail with the officially confirmed signature,
3. the child's written consent to lose Polish citizenship if the minor covered by the application is older than 16 - the consent is made personally for the record before the consul or by mail with the officially confirmed signature.

Please note:

• the application must be filled in Polish only,
• copies of Polish and foreign documents must be certified by a consul to be true copies of the originals,
• all documents made in a foreign language must be translated into Polish by a sworn translator or consul. In case of some documents made in an EU country, a multilingual standard form issued by a foreign authority under the regulation 2016/1191 can be attached instead of a translation, 
• documents made in EU countries and not covered by the regulation 2016/1191 should have the apostille attached,
• documents made outside the EU should have the apostille attached for countries parties to the Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents, signed in the Hague on 5 October 1961, (Journal of Laws of 2005, no. 112 item 938) or be legalised by a Polish consul for other countries (including Canada).

The fee is 528 CAD (please note that additional fees for translations may apply - please refer to the section "Translations").

The fees must be paid at the office counter when submitting the application. Accepted forms of payment: cash, money order, certified bank check (credit cards, debit cards or personal checks are not accepted).  Consulate General in Toronto accepts debit and credit cards except American Express.

A Polish citizen loses Polish citizenship upon his request after a consent to renounce Polish citizen from the President of the Republic of Poland. The President is not obliged to consider the application for renunciation of Polish citizenship within any specific time limit.

Renunciation of Polish citizenship becomes effective after 30 days from the issue date of the relevant presidential order, or sooner if so decided by the President.

You can collect the documents personally. Consul can also send the documents to the address of your choice - discuss this possibility when you submit your application.

Please note that once you receive the consent to renounce Polish citizenship, you must return the Polish passport to the consulate.

You cannot appeal. Presidential orders are not subject to appeal.