Granting of the Card of the Pole

You can apply for a Card of the Pole at any time if you are a citizen of Belarus, the Russian Federation, Ukraine and declare that you are a member of the Polish Nation and meet all of the following conditions:

• you will demonstrate your connection to Polishness by at least basic knowledge of the Polish language, which you consider your native language, and knowledge and cultivation of Polish traditions and customs,
• in the presence of an employee of the office, you will make a written declaration of belonging to the Polish Nation
• you will demonstrate that you are of Polish nationality or that at least one of your parents or grandparents or two great-grandparents was of Polish nationality, or you will present a certificate from a Polish or Polish-American organization confirming active involvement in Polish language and culture or Polish national minority activities for at least the last three years,
• you will submit a statement (included in the application form) that you or your ascendants did not repatriate or were not repatriated from the territory of the Republic of Poland or the Polish People’s Republic, on the basis of repatriation agreements concluded between 1944 and 1957 by the Republic of Poland or by the Polish People’s Republic with the Belarusian Soviet Socialist Republic, the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, to one of the countries party to these agreements.

You can also apply for a Card of the Pole if your Polish origin has been established in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Repatriation, provided that you demonstrate at least basic knowledge of the Polish language.

What documents to submit?

• application in 1 copy, filled out in accordance with the instructions.
• 1 photograph,
• a photocopy of a valid identity document (the original to be inspected upon acceptance of the application)
• confirmation of registration for temporary or permanent residence in the Lodz province

Documents needed for granting the Card of the Pole:

• written declaration of belonging to the Polish Nation made during the application in the presence of an employee of the office
• documents confirming knowledge of the Polish language:
  • official certification of proficiency in Polish as a foreign language after passing the Polish language exam issued by the State Commission for the Certification of Proficiency in Polish as a Foreign Language or
  • certificate of graduation from a school or university in Poland or
  • certificate of graduation from a school abroad with Polish as the language of instruction (original to be obtained)

If you do not have any of the above-mentioned documents, your knowledge of the Polish language will be assessed during the interview when accepting your application for a Pole Card.

• documents confirming your Polish nationality or the Polish nationality of at least one of your parents or grandparents or two great-grandparents, and possible documents confirming your relationship to the persons you are claiming with copies (originals for review), e.g:
  • polish identity documents
  • civil status certificates or copies thereof, baptismal certificates, school certificates or other documents confirming your connection with Polishness
  • documents confirming military service in Polish military formations
  • documents confirming the fact of deportation or imprisonment, containing an entry indicating Polish origin
  • documents on the rehabilitation of a deported person, containing an entry indicating Polish origin
  • foreign identity cards containing information on the Polish nationality of their holder
    or
  • a certificate from a Polish or Polish-American organization confirming active involvement in Polish language and culture or Polish national minority activities for at least the last 3 years
    or
  • a valid decision on the determination of Polish origin, issued in accordance with the provisions of the Repatriation Act
    or
  • Pole card of the applicant’s parent or one of the applicant’s grandparents

Documents needed to grant a Pole Card to a minor:

• the minor’s birth certificate with a copy,
• photocopy of a valid identity document of the minor (the original to be inspected upon acceptance of the application)
• identity documents of parents with copies,
• Pole Cards of the parents or Pole Card of one of the parents with copy(s).

You submit all documents in the original when you visit the Office. There is no stamp duty for the application for a Pole’s Card.

Extension of the Card of the Pole

You submit an application for renewal of the Card of the Pole no earlier than 6 months before the expiration of its validity. Application for renewal of the Card of the Pole granted to a minor (application submitted after reaching the age of majority), you submit no earlier than 6 months before the expiration of its validity period and no later than 3 months before the expiration of its validity period

Documents needed to renew the Card of the Pole granted to a minor (application submitted after reaching the age of majority):

• written declaration of belonging to the Polish Nation made during the application in the presence of an office employee
• documents confirming knowledge of the Polish language:
• official certificate of proficiency in Polish as a foreign language after passing the Polish language exam issued by the State Commission for the Certification of Proficiency in Polish as a Foreign Language or
• a certificate of graduation from a school or university in Poland or
• a certificate of graduation from a school abroad with Polish as the language of instruction (original for inspection)

If you do not have any of the above documents, your knowledge of the Polish language will be assessed during the interview while accepting the application for renewal of the Card of the Pole.

Replacement/duplicate of the Card of the Pole

• you submit an application for a duplicate of the Card of the Pole in case of loss or destruction of the Card of the Pole
• you submit an application for replacement of the Card of the Pole in case of change of personal data, e.g. change of name, surname

Documents needed to replace the Card of the Pole:

• documents confirming the change of personal data (originals)

There is no stamp duty for the application for replacement/issue of a duplicate Card of the Pole.