Poland in Israel

To obtain the confirmation of possession or loss of Polish citizenship, you should apply to the provincial governor through a consul at a Polish consular office competent for your place of residence.

You can submit the documents personally. 

You can book your appointment via the e-konsulat system (legal matters).

1. application for confirmation of possession or loss of Polish citizenship,
2. any documents facilitating the establishment of Polish citizenship, in particular Registry Office records and documents to confirm Polish origin of your parents/grandparents (birth or marriage certificate, baptism certificate, copies of parents' or grandparents' Polish documents etc.). In the case of change of name, copies of documents confirming this fact (marriage certificate, certificate of change in name, and the like),
3. original of a valid identification document including pages with official annotations (for revision only),
4. if you were born outside the Republic of Poland, you must present a full birth certificate containing your parents' names,
5. Registry Office record confirming your marital status (marriage certificate, divorce decree or the spouse's death certificate).

Please note:

• the application must be filled in Polish only,
• copies of 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 the 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 2016/1191should 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, or be legalised by a Polish consul for other countries.

1. INORMATION FOR A PERSON WHO WAS BORN IN POLAND OR WAS RESIDING IN POLAND

In order to apply for the confirmation of Polish citizenship, the following documents are required:

1. The application form for the confirmation of Polish citizenship to be completed legibly in Polish

2. Original of the Polish passport, or any other documents allowing to leave Poland, that was in possession on departure. In case of a lack of the Polish passport or any other Polish travel document, a written statement is required. If a person left Poland on a passport of one of the parents – this passport is required as well. Please note that the original documents will be returned to the applicants.

3. Birth and marriage certificate, and any other Polish documents of the applicant as well as those of the applicant's parents who lived in Poland.

4. Original of the parents' marriage certificate and other documents stating cessation of the marriage (for example death, divorce certificate).

5.  While submitting the documents, the applicant should show his/her valid Israeli passport or another foreign passport.

6. Certificate attesting Israeli citizenship issued by the Israeli Ministry of Interior (תעודה המעידה על אזרחות ישראלית) with apostille.

7. Extract from the populations register issued by the Israeli Ministry of Interior (tamtzit rishum memirsham ohlusin) with apostille.

8. If needed: certificate stating change of the first and/or last name(s) issued by the Israeli Ministry of Interior (teudat hameida al shinui shem) with apostille.

9. If the applicant applies for confirmation of Polish citizenship and his father emigrated as an adult to Palestine or Israel, before January 19th 1951, the applicant should submit the original of the document proving the applicant's father's service in the Israeli Army, and information about the father's job, career and positions held during his years of work.

10. If the applicant applies for the confirmation of Polish citizenship and his/her mother emigrated as an adult to Palestine or Israel before January 19th 1951, the applicant should not only submit the document proving the applicant's mother's service in the Israeli Army and information about the mother's job, career and positions held during her years of work, but also the same document and information concerning the applicant's father are required. The document proving the applicant's parents' service in the Israeli Army has to be issued by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), and the original document should be presented with apostille.

11. An applicant whose parents emigrated as minors to Palestine or Israel before January 19th 1951, besides the documents mentioned in the points 1 to 10 should additionally submit:

• The original of the documents certifying grandparents' military service in the Israeli Army, issued by the IDF, and grandparents' marriage certificate;
• A statement about the applicant's grandfather's service in the Polish Army;
• Information about the grandparents' job, career, and positions held during his/her years of work as well as death certificates of grandparents if applicable.

12. If the applicant emigrated from Poland to Palestine/Israel before January 19th 1951, the applicant should submit the original of the document proving his/her service in the Israeli Army, and information abouthis/her job, career, and positions held during his/her years of work.

13. Name and address of a representative in Poland for the purpose of receiving and transmitting official correspondence to the applicants (otherwise all the correspondence will be delivered through the consulate).

NOTES

• The documents should be filed in originals and copies.
• The applicant should fill in the documents personally and submit (for identification purpose) a valid Israeli passport. If unable to do, so please enclose confirmation letter of power of attorney. The applicant, as well as person representing the applicant, should submit their valid passports.
• All filed statements and certificates should include the date and the place, and be signed by the applicant.
• Spelling of first and last names as well as dates of birth in all Israeli documents should be standardized and identical with details in the Israeli passport before filing at the Consular Section.
• All FORMS and declarations should be completed legibly in Polish.
• All documents (if written in a language other than Polish, for example Hebrew) should be translated into Polish by an official translator registered in the Ministry of Justice.  
• All documents issued by Israeli authorities (f. e. certificates) should have apostille from the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Only apostilles from Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem are valid.
• Please note that all enclosed documents filed at the Consular Section will not be returned.
• Consular fees need to be paid on initiation of the procedure and will not be refunded irrespective of the final result of the case.

2. INFORMATION FOR A PERSON WHO WAS BORN OUTSIDE POLAND AND NEVER LIVED IN POLAND

In order to apply for the reaffirmation of Polish citizenship of the applicant, the following documents are required:

1. The application form for the confirmation of Polish citizenship to be completed legibly in Polish.

2. Original birth certificate with apostille.

3. Marriage/divorce certificate (original) with apostille.

4. Valid Israeli or other foreign passport.

5. Certificate of first name and/or last name changes issued by Israeli Ministry of Interior if applicable, (teudat hameida al shinui shem) with apostille.

6. Certificate attesting Israeli citizenship issued by the Israeli Ministry of Interior (תעודה המעידה על אזרחות ישראלית) with apostille.

7. Extract from populations register (tamtzit rishum memirsham ohlusin) with apostille.

8. Polish birth and marriage certificate, and any other Polish documents of at least one parent or grandparent of the applicant who lived in Poland.

If applicant's parents were born and got married outside of Poland he/she must include with application his/her parents' marriage certificate with apostille, and at least one birth certificate of father or mother with apostille (depending on who is a Polish citizen).

9. Original of the Polish passport, or any other documents allowing the applicant's parents or grandparents to leave Poland (depending on who left Poland), that was in possession on departure. In case of a lack of the Polish passport or any other Polish travel document, a written statement is required. Please note that the original documents will be returned to the applicants.

10. If the applicant applies for confirmation of Polish citizenship and his parents/grandparents emigrated as adults to Palestine or Israel, before January 19th 1951, the applicant should submit the original of the document proving the applicant's parents'/grandparents' service in the Israeli Army, and information about their jobs, careers, and positions held during their years of work.

11. An applicant whose parents emigrated as minors to Palestine or Israel before January 19th 1951, besides the documents mentioned in the points 1 to 10, should additionally submit:

• The original of the documents certifying grandparents' military service in the Israeli Army, issued by the IDF, and grandparents' marriage certificate;
• A statement about the applicant's grandfather's service in the Polish Army;
• Information about the grandparents' job, career, and positions held during his/her years of work as well as death certificates of grandparents if applicable;

12. Name and address of a representative in Poland for the purpose of receiving and transmitting official correspondence to the applicants (otherwise all the correspondence will be delivered through the consulate).

NOTES

• The documents should be filed in originals and copies.
• The applicant should fill in the documents personally and submit (for identification purpose) a valid Israeli passport. If unable to do, so please enclose confirmation letter of power of attorney. The applicant, as well as person representing the applicant, should submit their valid passports.
• All filed statements and certificates should include the date and the place, and be signed by the applicant.
• Spelling of first and last names as well as dates of birth in all Israeli documents should be standardized and identical with details in the Israeli passport before filing at the Consular Section.
• All FORMS and declarations should be completed legibly in Polish.
• All documents (if written in a language other than Polish, for example Hebrew) should be translated into Polish by an official translator registered in the Ministry of Justice.  
• All documents issued by Israeli authorities (f. e. certificates) should have apostille from the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Only apostilles from Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem are valid.
• Please note that all enclosed documents filed at the Consular Section will not be returned.
• Consular fees need to be paid on initiation of the procedure and will not be refunded irrespective of the final result of the case.

3. INFORMATION FOR A PERSON WHO WAS BORN OUTSIDE POLAND AND NEVER LIVED IN POLAND AND HIS FATHER/MOTHER ALREADY HAS THE CERTIFICATE OF CONFIRMATION OF POLISH CITIZENSHIP

In order to apply for the confirmation of Polish citizenship of the applicant, the following documents are required:

1. The application form for the confirmation of Polish citizenship to be completed legibly in Polish.

2. Original birth certificate with apostille.

3. Marriage/divorce certificate (original) with apostille.

4. Valid Israeli or other foreign passport.

5. Certificate of first name and/or last name changes issued by Israeli Ministry of Interior if applicable, (teudat hameida al shinui shem) with apostille.

6. Certificate attesting Israeli citizenship issued by the Israeli Ministry of Interior (תעודה המעידה על אזרחות ישראלית) with apostille.

7. Extract from populations register (tamtzit rishum memirsham ohlusin) with apostille.

8. Certificate attesting Polish citizenship of at least one parent issued by relevant Voivodship.

9. Name and address of a representative in Poland for the purpose of receiving and transmitting official correspondence to the applicants (otherwise all the correspondence will be delivered through the consulate).

NOTES

• The documents should be filed in originals and copies.
• The applicant should fill in the documents personally and submit (for identification purpose) a valid Israeli passport. If unable to do, so please enclose confirmation letter of power of attorney. The applicant, as well as person representing the applicant, should submit their valid passports.
• All filed statements and certificates should include the date and the place, and be signed by the applicant.
• Spelling of first and last names as well as dates of birth in all Israeli documents should be standardized and identical with details in the Israeli passport before filing at the Consular Section.
• All FORMS and declarations should be completed legibly in Polish.
• All documents (if written in a language other than Polish, for example Hebrew) should be translated into Polish by an official translator registered in the Ministry of Justice.  
• All documents issued by Israeli authorities (f. e. certificates) should have apostille from the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Only apostilles from Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem are valid.
• Please note that all enclosed documents filed at the Consular Section will not be returned.
• Consular fees need to be paid on initiation of the procedure and will not be refunded irrespective of the final result of the case.

The fee is - as mentioned in the current table of consular fees. ​​​​​

The fees must be paid at the office counter when submitting the application.

Accepted forms of payment: only cash (paid in Israeli shekels).

Consul will immediately send your application to the proper provincial governor.

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.

You can appeal to the Minister of the Interior and Administration through the provincial governor who issued the decision. You can do it within 14 days of the decision delivery date.

How can I confirm my Polish citizenship?

A valid Polish passport or personal ID card are documents that confirm your Polish citizenship. If you do not have any documents to confirm your Polish citizenship or your personal data and citizenship cannot be determined, you can obtain confirmation of possession or loss of Polish citizenship. 

My grandfather/grandmother was born in Poland and came to live in Israel. Can I receive a Polish passport?

In order to receive Polish passport it is necessary first to confirm the Polish citizenship of the applicant. According to the Polish Citizenship Act - 2012, a child acquires Polish citizenship on the date of his/her birth if at least one of his/her parents was a Polish citizen on the date of the child's birth. Should the applicant wish to confirm his/her Polish citizenship, the Polish citizenship of one of his/her parents on the date of applicant's birth has to be confirmed first. Sometimes it may be necessary to confirm the citizenship of a deceased parent to ascertain that the applicant's parent was a Polish citizen on the date of the applicant's birth.

Proper procedure for grandchildren of people whose grandparents came to Israel is the procedure of Confirmation of Polish Citizenship.

Please take note that confirmation of Polish citizenship it is a necessary first, but not the last step in order to apply for a Polish passport as civil status certificates (birth and – if relevant – marriage certificates) registered by Polish Registry Offices are required as well.

In order to apply for birth, marriage, or death certificates of people who were born, got married or deceased in Poland and their birth, marriage or death have been already registered in Poland please contact directly any of Polish civil registry offices.

In order to receive Polish birth, marriage, or death certificates of people with Polish citizenship who were born, got married or deceased outside of Poland, it is necessary to register the relevant foreign certificate in Poland.

For the procedure of obtaining Polish passport check the information about passport at the website of our office.

My grandparents were born in Poland – where can I get more information about them?

Please note that the Consular Section of the Embassy of Poland in Tel Aviv does not assist in any genealogical research.

According to Polish law, the documents referring to citizenship and civil registry are being kept for the period of 100 years in Polish Registry Offices. After the completion of this period the documents are being transferred to the regional archives. You can check the list of Polish Registry Offices HERE. Please take note that descendants have a right to obtain certificates of their ancestors from the registry but it may be required to prove the factual relation between the applicant and the person whose documents are being requested.

Please be informed that due to the war devastation, some of documentation was destroyed or lost, therefore in some cases it can be impossible to restore the certificates.

In case of the territories of the Republic of Poland annexed to the USSR after 1944 the files are stored in the Civil Registry Office Warszawa-Śródmieście, and after 100 years since their issuance, they are gradually taken over by the Central Archives of Historical Records. Please see the record books of the communes of the Jewish faith from the territories mentioned for years 1789-1943. The list of complimentary records located in different archives in Warsaw and in Ukraine is provided on the website. Please check also the database “PRADZIAD” (pol. for “great grandparent”) of the Superior Directorate of State Archives.

In the search for the information on the ancestors born in Poland might be helpful Jewish Historical Insitute based in Warsaw which is a research institution, also conducting genealogical work, having its own archives and libraries. Museum of Polish Jews – Polin also provides the resources for genealogical and historical research. Online you can find valuable information on Jewish towns and their inhabitants, including uploaded documentation, on the Virtual Shtetl website. Take note that Yad Vashem Institute might be of help as well, as your ancestors might give their testimonies upon their arrival to Israel.

In case of the ancestors who migrated from Poland to Israel before or during the World War II, please note that their documentation might be stored by the Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum in London.