Poland in the UK

• To have Polish citizenship restored, you shall apply to the minister responsible for internal affairs through a Polish consular office responsible for your place of residence.
• If you reside in the UK, you can apply through the consulates in Belfast, Edinburgh, London or Manchester.

• You can submit the documents in person (by appointment) or send them by postal mail.
• Applications sent via email will not be accepted.

1. Application Form: a completed application for restoration of Polish citizenship (must be completed in Polish).
2. Passport Photo: a passport-sized photograph is required.
3. Identification Document: the original of a valid identification document, confirming personal details and citizenship.
4. Name Change Documents (if applicable): copies of documents confirming a change of name, such as:
   1. marriage certificate
   2. certificate of name change,
   3. other relevant legal documents.
5. Documents Confirming the Loss of Polish Citizenship: any available documents.

Important Notes

• Language Requirement: the application must be completed in Polish only.
• Original Documents: both original Polish and foreign documents must be submitted with the application; copies of these documents must be certified by a consul as true copies of the originals.
• Translations: all documents issued in a foreign language must be translated into Polish (i.e. by a sworn translator or a consul).
• EU Documents: some documents issued in the EU country may be accompanied by a multilingual standard form issued under Regulation 2016/1191, instead of a translation.
• Apostille for EU Documents: some documents issued in EU countries that are not covered by Regulation 2016/1191 may have an apostille attached.
• Apostille or Legalization for Non-EU Documents: documents issued outside the EU:
  • If from a country that is a party to the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961, an apostille may be attached.
  • If from a non-signatory country, the document may be legalized by a Polish consul.

• The fee is 34 GBP.
• An unpaid application will not be processed. Make sure to submit the required payment along with your application for it to be considered.

• The consul will forward your application for the restoration of Polish citizenship to the minister responsible for internal affairs.
• The processing time depends on how quickly the minister can collect all the necessary information and documents for your case.
• There is no fixed timeframe, as the duration varies depending on individual circumstances.

• You can collect the documents in person.
• The consul can also send the documents to an address of your choice – please discuss this option when submitting your application.

• If you disagree with the decision of the minister responsible for internal affairs, you may request him to reconsider his decision.
• This request must be submitted to the Ministry of the Interior and Administration in writing, within 14 days of receiving the decision, either in person at the office or by post.
• If you still disagree with the minister's subsequent decision, you have the right to appeal to an administrative court.
• The appeal to a court must be filed within 30 days of receiving the minister’s subsequent decision, and a copy must also be submitted to the Ministry of the Interior and Administration.

Who can apply for the restoration of Polish citizenship?

Restoration of Polish citizenship applies only to former Polish citizens who lost their citizenship before 1 January 1999, in accordance with:

• Article 11 or 13 of the Act of 20 January 1920 on the citizenship of the Republic of Poland (Journal of Laws no. 7, item 44, as amended),
• Article 11 or 12 of the Act of 8 January 1951 on Polish citizenship (Journal of Laws no. 4, item 25),
• Article 13, 14, or 15 of the Act of 5 February 1962 on Polish citizenship (Journal of Laws of 2000, no. 28, item 353, as amended).

Polish citizenship will not be restored to a foreigner who:

• voluntarily joined the military service of Axis countries or their allies, or
• held a public office in Axis countries or their allies, between 1 September 1939 and 8 May 1945,
• acted against Poland, particularly against its independence and sovereignty or participated in human rights violations.