Who can apply?

Everyone who has or had Polish citizenship as well as an entity that has a legal interest in obtaining such document or is obliged to obtain confirmation of citizenship.

How to do it?

In person at an office or by post.

When should I apply?

Anytime.

What do you have to do?

1. Collect all the required documents. For details, see the ‘What should I prepare?’ section.
2. Submit your application to the Voivode. For details, see the ‘Where should I submit my application?’ section.
3. Should you wish to submit your application to a consulate, pay a consular fee. For details, see the ‘How much is it going to cost?’ section.
4. Wait for the reply. For details, see the ‘How long is the waiting period?’ section.

 

Where should I submit my application?

To the Voivode according to your place of residence or the last place of residence in Poland, or, if there is no such place, to the Voivode of the Mazowieckie Voivodeship. For example, if your place of residence is in the Pomorskie Voivodeship, apply to the Voivode of the Pomorskie Voivodeship.

If you live abroad, you can apply through the Polish consul with territorial jurisdiction over your place of residence.

What should I prepare?

Application for confirmation of possession or loss of citizenship. It should include:

1. your personal information
2. personal information of your parents and grandparents
3. any additional information to help establish the factual and legal situation of the case
4. documents confirming the information presented in the application

 

How much is it going to cost?

1. PLN 58 for the decision confirming the possession or loss of Polish citizenship. If you receive a negative decision or the proceedings are discontinued, you can claim a refund of the stamp duty
2. PLN 17 for power of attorney – if you designate an attorney to handle the case on your behalf. The spouse, parents, children and siblings of the applicant are exempt from paying the stamp duty for the power of attorney. The relationship should be confirmed by the documents attached to the case.

 

How long is the waiting period?

Up to 1 month. In particularly complex cases no longer than 2 months.

Remember! Deadlines for issuing decisions do not extend to deadlines for certain activities provided for in legislation (e.g. awaiting information and documents from other offices, archives, consulates), periods of suspension of proceedings and delays due to the fault of the party in question (e.g. if the applicant did not attach necessary documents to the application) or due to reasons beyond the control of an authority (e.g. if the office cannot operate on account of a natural disaster).

How can I appeal?

If you are dissatisfied with the decision you received, you can file an appeal. The appeal should be submitted to the Minister of the Interior and Administration through the Voivode who issued the decision in your case. You must do it within 14 days from the delivery date of the decision.