In cases where a person wishing to begin the process of obtaining Polish citizenship does not possess the required Polish documents, or has no Polish documents at all, it is possible to conduct a search in archives in Poland, Ukraine, Lithuania, or Belarus. This is because, in 1920, Poland included large parts of these territories.
In each of these countries, genealogists (family history researchers) specialize in locating documents in public archives and official records. However, there are cities and regions where such searches are impossible, as all documents and archives were destroyed or burned during wartime.
Before beginning the search process, it is very important to consult with an expert in the field to assess the likelihood of finding relevant documents and to determine whether a search is feasible in the specific case.
It is important to understand that document searching is not limited to sending a simple email or letter to the civil registry office in a city or district. Civil registries only record births, marriages, and deaths – and, as previously explained, these documents alone do not constitute proof of Polish citizenship.
For the search to be effective, the following information about the Polish ancestors must be provided:
- Full name as registered in Poland
- Date or year of birth
- Place of birth
- Estimated year of migration
- Names of parents (and, if possible, names of siblings)
- Any documents you already possess from that period
The more detailed and accurate the information provided, the higher the chances of a successful search.
If not all required data is known, it is possible to attempt locating information in birth, marriage, or death records from the country of migration, which may contain useful hints and information.
The most common documents that can be found during such a search include:
- Proof of permanent residence, address registration cards
- Extracts from the permanent residents’ registry
- Voter lists for the Polish parliament and local authorities
- Military conscription records
- Land registry documents
- Documents confirming or identifying Polish citizenship
- Records of military service and employment
- Identity cards
- Passport application documents
At Polish Passport, we work with a team of expert genealogists who specialize in locating such historical documents, and we offer this service as part of a comprehensive package for our clients.
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