Polish citizenship is based on the principle of “right of blood” (Ius Sanguinis) — meaning it is passed down from generation to generation, regardless of the place of birth. However, confirmation of Polish citizenship by descent is not automatic and requires an administrative process to verify the continuity of citizenship within the family line.
Polish citizenship is transferred from parents to children without generational limitation, provided that there was no renunciation or loss of citizenship along the way.
To confirm Polish citizenship, the following conditions must be met:
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Proof that an ancestor was a Polish citizen at the time of emigration.
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Evidence that Polish citizenship was continuously passed down through successive generations.
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Confirmation that the ancestor did not lose Polish citizenship before the birth of their descendants.
Although Poland does not limit the number of generations eligible, certain events may have led to the loss of citizenship, such as:
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Service in a foreign army before 1951.
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Naturalization in another country before 1951, prior to legislative amendments to the citizenship law.
To begin the process, it is essential to provide documents proving both the ancestor’s citizenship and the family connection to them.
1 Documents proving the ancestor’s Polish citizenship:
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Polish passport
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Polish identity card (Dowód osobisty)
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Proof of registered residence in Poland
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Polish military service records
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Population or census registration records
2 Documents proving family connection:
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Birth certificates of descendants
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Marriage certificates
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Death certificates (if applicable)
If the applicant does not possess Polish documentation of the ancestor, it is possible to conduct archival searches in Polish state archives and other historical repositories.
Steps of the Citizenship Confirmation Process:
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Document collection – Gathering evidence supporting the application.
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Case analysis – Assessing eligibility under Polish citizenship law to ensure a successful outcome.
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Application submission.
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Case review – Authorities examine the documentation and may request additional information or perform archival verification in Poland.
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Decision issuance – If approved, an official certificate is granted (Decyzja potwierdzająca obywatelstwo polskie).
The processing time varies depending on the complexity of the case and the workload of the relevant authority.
To maximize the chances of success, it is highly recommended to prepare accurate documentation and seek professional guidance from specialists in Polish citizenship law to ensure proper interpretation of the applicable regulations.
