Confirmation of Polish Citizenship – A Formal Procedure Explained

21.12.2025

Confirmation of Polish Citizenship – A Formal Procedure Explained

Many individuals living abroad are unaware that they may already be Polish citizens by descent, even if they have never held a Polish passport. Under Polish law, it is possible to obtain an official confirmation of possession of Polish citizenship through a formal administrative procedure conducted in Poland.

As a lawyer in Poland specializing in nationality, inheritance, and cross-border matters, I regularly assist clients from the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and other countries in confirming their Polish citizenship.

Who Can Apply for Confirmation of Polish Citizenship?

The confirmation procedure is available to individuals who can demonstrate descent from a Polish citizen. Importantly:

• The ancestor may be a parent, grandparent, or even a great-grandparent.
• It is sufficient to prove Polish citizenship on one side of the family only – either the paternal line or the maternal line.
• There is no requirement that both parents were Polish citizens.

Polish citizenship is acquired by operation of law, meaning that if your ancestor was a Polish citizen and citizenship was not lost under historical regulations, you may already be a Polish citizen today.

A Highly Formalized Administrative Procedure

The procedure for confirmation of Polish citizenship is highly formalized and strictly regulated by Polish administrative law.

Key aspects include:

• The application must be submitted on a specific official form.
• All required data must be provided precisely and in full.
• The application must be completed exclusively in the Polish language.
• Documentary evidence proving lineage and citizenship status is essential.

Due to the level of formalism, errors or omissions may significantly delay the case or result in a negative decision. This is why working with an experienced Polish citizenship lawyer is strongly recommended.

When Is Confirmation of Polish Citizenship Necessary?

Obtaining confirmation of Polish citizenship is often required in practice, for example:

• when a Polish passport has expired and the individual wishes to obtain a new one,
• when a person wants to update their first name or surname in Polish civil records to match documents used abroad,
• when inheritance proceedings in Poland must be conducted after a deceased person who did not hold a valid Polish passport at the time of death,
• when dealing with Polish authorities that require formal proof of citizenship status.

Without an official confirmation decision, Polish authorities may refuse to proceed with passports, civil status updates, or inheritance matters.

Which Authority Conducts the Proceedings?

The proceedings are conducted by the Voivode (Wojewoda):

• competent for the last place of residence in Poland, or
• the Mazovian Voivode (Wojewoda Mazowiecki), if the last place of residence cannot be established or was abroad.

The entire process takes place before Polish administrative authorities, but it can be handled entirely remotely with the assistance of a lawyer in Poland.

How Long Does the Procedure Take?

The duration of the proceedings depends on:

• the degree of complexity of the case,
• the quality and quantity of evidence proving kinship,
• whether ancestors held valid Polish identity documents (passports, ID cards, military books, population records).

In general, the more complete the documentation, the faster a decision can be issued. Well-prepared cases supported by strong historical evidence are resolved significantly more efficiently.

Legal Fees

The professional fee for conducting confirmation of Polish citizenship proceedings is EUR 2,000.

This includes:

• legal analysis of eligibility,
• preparation and completion of the application in Polish,
• evidence assessment,
• representation before the Voivode,
• ongoing communication with Polish authorities.

Why Work with a Lawyer in Poland?

Polish citizenship cases involve historical regulations, administrative law, and strict evidentiary standards. A qualified lawyer in Poland ensures that:

• your eligibility is assessed correctly,
• the application complies with all formal requirements,
• risks of delay or refusal are minimized,
• the entire process is handled professionally and remotely.

Legal Assistance from Dr. Joanna Susło

I am Dr. Joanna Susło, Attorney-at-Law, a lawyer in Poland with extensive experience in Polish citizenship, inheritance, and international cases. I assist clients worldwide in navigating complex Polish administrative procedures safely and efficiently.

📩 If you believe you may be entitled to Polish citizenship by descent, or if you need confirmation of citizenship for passport or inheritance purposes, I invite you to contact my office for professional legal assistance.

 

FAQ – Confirmation of Polish Citizenship: How to Prepare

Who can apply for confirmation of Polish citizenship?

An application for confirmation of possession (or loss) of Polish citizenship may be filed by:

• any person who currently has or previously had Polish citizenship, or
• any person or entity that has a legal interest in obtaining such confirmation, or
• any person on whom a legal obligation rests to obtain confirmation of Polish citizenship (for example, in inheritance or administrative proceedings).

An experienced lawyer in Poland can assess whether you meet the legal requirements to apply.

How can the procedure be initiated?

The procedure may be initiated:

• in person at the competent authority, or
• by post, including applications filed through a Polish consulate if you live abroad.

Many applicants choose to act through a Polish citizenship lawyer, especially when residing outside Poland.

When can I submit the application?

The application for confirmation of Polish citizenship may be submitted at any time.
There is no statutory deadline for filing the application.

What steps are required to confirm Polish citizenship?

The procedure involves the following steps:

1. Collect all required documents (see “What documents are required?” below).
2. Complete the official application form exclusively in the Polish language.
3. Submit the application to the competent Voivode (regional governor).
4. If applying through a Polish consulate abroad, pay the applicable consular fee.
5. Await the administrative decision.

A lawyer in Poland can handle the entire process on your behalf under a power of attorney.

Where should the application be filed?

The application should be filed with:

• the Voivode competent for your current or last place of residence in Poland, or
• if such place cannot be determined, with the Mazovian Voivode (Wojewoda Mazowiecki).

If you live abroad, the application may be submitted via the Polish consulate competent for your place of residence.

What documents are required for confirmation of Polish citizenship?

The application must include:

• your personal details,
• personal details of your parents and grandparents,
• all additional information relevant to establishing the factual and legal background of the case,
• documents confirming the information provided, such as:
  • civil status records (birth, marriage, death certificates),
  • historical documents,
  • Polish identity documents held by ancestors (if available).

The more complete the documentation proving lineage from a Polish citizen, the faster the proceedings usually are. A Polish citizenship lawyer can help identify and obtain missing records.

How long does the procedure take?

The Voivode has up to 6 months to issue a decision.
This period may be extended in justified cases.

Importantly, the statutory time limit does not include:

• time needed to obtain documents from other authorities, archives, or consulates,
• periods of suspension of the proceedings,
• delays caused by missing documents or circumstances beyond the authority’s control.

Cases supported by strong evidence, especially where ancestors held valid Polish identity documents, are typically resolved faster.

Can I appeal the decision?

Yes. If you disagree with the decision, you may file an appeal:

• within 14 days from the date of delivery of the decision,
• to the Minister of the Interior and Administration,
• through the Voivode who issued the decision.

An appeal prepared by an experienced lawyer in Poland significantly increases the chances of success.

Why should I work with a lawyer in Poland for confirmation of citizenship?

The procedure is highly formalized and conducted exclusively in Polish.
Working with a lawyer in Poland ensures:

• correct completion of the official application form,
• proper presentation of evidence and family lineage,
• communication with authorities on your behalf,
• protection of your legal interests at every stage.

 

Additional FAQ – Mandatory Questions in Polish Citizenship Confirmation Proceedings

What biographical information is required during the Polish citizenship confirmation procedure?

Proceedings to confirm possession of Polish citizenship are highly formalized. Applicants must provide detailed biographical information about their ancestors, usually covering at least parents and grandparents. These questions are mandatory and must be answered thoroughly and accurately.

A lawyer in Poland experienced in citizenship cases will help structure and document this information correctly.

What information about the mother must be provided?

You will be required to submit a detailed biography of your mother, including in particular:

• all places of residence (especially in Poland),
• employment history,
• circumstances of departure from Poland (if applicable),
• any foreign citizenships held or acquired, including exact dates of acquisition.

This information is essential to determine whether Polish citizenship was retained or lost under Polish law.

What information about the father must be provided?

The application must include a comprehensive biography of your father, with particular emphasis on:

• places of residence,
• employment history,
• military service (if any),
• circumstances of leaving Poland,
• any changes of first name or surname,
• foreign citizenships acquired, together with dates.

These details are crucial, as past military service or acquisition of another citizenship may have affected Polish citizenship status.

What information about grandparents is required?

In many cases, especially when citizenship is claimed through earlier generations, you must provide a biography of grandparents, for example:

• the paternal grandmother or grandfather,
• places of residence,
• employment,
• circumstances of emigration from Poland,
• changes of names or surnames,
• marriage details,
• foreign citizenships acquired, including dates.

The more complete the genealogical information, the higher the chances of a positive decision.

Do I need to indicate whether my ancestors held Polish identity documents?

Yes. You must answer whether your ancestors:

• possessed Polish identity documents (e.g. Polish passport, identity card),
• and if so, specify:
  • what type of document it was,
  • who issued it,
  • and when it was issued.

Polish identity documents held by ancestors are strong evidence in citizenship confirmation proceedings.

Were my ancestors required to apply for permission to change or renounce Polish citizenship?

This is a key mandatory question in the procedure.

You must indicate whether your ancestors:

• applied for permission to change Polish citizenship to a foreign one,
• formally renounced Polish citizenship,
• received an official decision allowing the change of citizenship,
• obtained consent to renounce Polish citizenship,
• or were deprived of Polish citizenship by an administrative decision.

Incorrect or incomplete answers in this section may negatively affect the outcome of the case.

Why are these questions so detailed?

Polish citizenship law has changed multiple times over the last century. The Voivode must reconstruct the full legal and factual history of citizenship across generations to determine whether citizenship was preserved.

This is why professional assistance from a lawyer in Poland specializing in Polish citizenship confirmation is strongly recommended.

Can a lawyer in Poland help prepare these biographies and answers?

Yes. An experienced Polish citizenship lawyer will:

• help you reconstruct family histories,
• identify legally relevant facts,
• collect and organize evidence,
• draft biographies in proper legal form,
• ensure consistency with Polish administrative requirements.

This significantly increases the chances of a positive decision and avoids delays.

Why should I seek legal assistance for Polish citizenship confirmation?

Citizenship confirmation proceedings are evidence-based, formal, and document-heavy. A specialized lawyer in Poland ensures:

• accuracy of submitted information,
• compliance with Polish administrative law,
• effective communication with authorities,
• protection of your legal interests throughout the procedure.

Dr Joanna Suslo, Attorney-at-law

E-mail: [email protected]

Mobile WhatsApp 24/7: + 48 668 841 990

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