Recognition as a Polish citizen

Whom the application concerns

According to Article 30 of the Act of April 2, 2009 on Polish citizenship, a Polish citizen is considered to be:

  1. a foreigner residing continuously on the territory of the Republic of Poland for at least 3 years on the basis of a permanent residence permit, a residence permit for a long-term resident of the European Union or the right of permanent residence, who has a stable and regular source of income in the Republic of Poland and a legal title to occupy a dwelling;
  2. a foreigner residing continuously in the territory of the Republic of Poland for at least 2 years on the basis of a permanent residence permit, a residence permit for a long-term resident of the European Union or the right of permanent residence, who:
    • has been married for at least 3 years to a Polish citizen, or
    • does not hold any citizenship;
  3. a foreigner residing continuously on the territory of the Republic of Poland for at least 2 years on the basis of a permanent residence permit, which he/she obtained in connection with having refugee status granted in the Republic of Poland;
  4. a minor foreigner residing in the territory of the Republic of Poland on the basis of a permanent residence permit, a residence permit for a long-term resident of the European Union or the right of permanent residence, one of whose parents is a Polish citizen and the other parent, who does not have Polish citizenship, has agreed to this recognition;
  5. a minor foreigner residing in the territory of the Republic of Poland on the basis of a permanent residence permit, a residence permit for a long-term resident of the European Union or the right of permanent residence, at least one of whose parents has been restored to Polish citizenship, and the other parent, who does not have Polish citizenship, has agreed to this recognition;
  6. a foreigner who has been continuously and legally residing in the territory of the Republic of Poland for at least 10 years and who meets all of the following conditions:
    • has a permanent residence permit, a residence permit for a long-term resident of the European Union or the right of permanent residence,
    • has a stable and regular source of income in the Republic of Poland and a legal title to occupy a dwelling;
  7. a foreigner residing continuously on the territory of the Republic of Poland for at least one year on the basis of a permanent residence permit, which he/she obtained in connection with Polish ancestry or a Pole’s Card held.

A foreigner applying for recognition as a Polish citizen, with the exception of a foreigner referred to in paragraph 1 items 4 and 5 (minors), shall be required to have knowledge of the Polish language confirmed by an official document issued by the State Commission for the Certification of Proficiency in Polish as a Foreign Language, confirming the passing of a language examination at a level of language proficiency of at least B1, a certificate of graduation from a school in the Republic of Poland or a certificate of graduation from a school abroad with Polish as the language of instruction.

Information on the activities of the State Commission for the Certification of Proficiency in Polish as a Foreign Language can be found at: http://www.certyfikatpolski.pl

To determine whether a foreigner is continuously residing on the territory of the Republic of Poland, the provision of Article 195 (4) of the Law on Foreigners of December 12, 2013 applies accordingly.

Recognition as a Polish citizen takes place at the request of the foreigner, and in the case of a minor foreigner – at the request of his/her legal representatives.

Recognition of parents as Polish citizens includes a minor under their parental authority. Recognition as a Polish citizen of only one of the parents includes a minor under their parental authority, in the case where:

  • the other parent does not have parental authority;
  • the other parent has made a statement of consent to the minor’s acquisition or loss of Polish citizenship.

Necessary documents

The application for recognition as a Polish citizen shall be submitted on a form, the model of which is specified by the provisions of the Regulation of the Minister of Internal Affairs of August 3, 2012 on the model form of the application for recognition as a Polish citizen and the photograph attached to the application.

  1. application for recognition as a Polish citizen drawn up in the Polish language on an official form (1 pc.),
  2. biometric photograph (1 pc.),
  3. a copy of birth certificate issued by a Polish civil registry office or a foreign copy of birth certificate with translation (if photocopies of the indicated documents are enclosed – originals for inspection,
  4. a copy of the marriage certificate issued by a Polish civil registry office or a foreign copy of the marriage certificate with a translation (if photocopies of the indicated documents are attached – originals for review),
  5. a photocopy of a current document confirming identity and citizenship, e.g. passport or other travel document, identity card (original to be seen),
  6. photocopy of a permit for permanent residence in Poland, settlement or residence of a long-term EU resident (original for review),
  7. photocopy of permanent residence card or document confirming the right of permanent residence of an EU citizen (original for review),
  8. a photocopy of a school-leaving certificate in Poland, a school-leaving certificate abroad in the Polish language of instruction or a certificate issued by the State Commission for the Certification of Proficiency in Polish as a Foreign Language (original to be submitted),
  9. a statement of the dates of departure from Poland and return, as well as places of stay abroad during the periods indicated in Article 30, paragraph 1 of the Act, together with documents confirming uninterrupted stay in Poland (e.g., passports with stamps, airline tickets),
  10. document confirming the citizenship of the foreigner’s spouse,
  11. possessed documents confirming possession of Polish citizenship in the past or applying for it,
  12. proof of payment of stamp duty for issuance of a decision on recognition as a Polish citizen (PLN 219),
  13. photocopies of documents confirming stable and regular sources of income in Poland – in the case of persons applying for recognition as a Polish citizen on the basis of Art. 30 sec. 1 item. 1 and 6 (originals for review),
  14. photocopies of documents confirming the legal title to occupy a dwelling – in the case of persons applying for recognition as a Polish citizen on the basis of Art. 30 para. 1 item. 1 and 6 (originals for inspection).

The photograph must be recent, undamaged, in color, 4.5 x 3.5 cm in size, taken within the last 6 months, on a uniform light background, having good sharpness and clearly showing the eyes and face from the top of the head to the top of the shoulders, so that the face occupies 70-80% of the photograph. The photograph is to show a person without headgear and glasses with dark glasses, looking straight ahead with eyes open, hair uncombed, with a natural expression and closed mouth. A person with congenital or acquired vision defects may include a photograph showing him with glasses with dark glasses, and a person wearing headgear in accordance with the rules of his religion – a photograph showing him with headgear that must not cover or distort the oval of the face.

A foreigner exercising parental authority over a foreign minor shall additionally attach:

  1. a biometric photograph of the minor covered by the application,
  2. a copy of the birth certificate issued by a Polish civil registry office or a foreign copy of the birth certificate with translation,
  3. a photocopy of a current document confirming the identity and citizenship of the foreign minor, e.g. a passport or other travel document, an identity card (original for inspection),
  4. a photocopy of the minor’s residence card, if issued (original for review),
  5. a photocopy of a current document confirming the identity and citizenship of the foreign minor, e.g. passport or other travel document, identity document (original for inspection)
  6. statement of consent for recognition of a minor as a Polish citizen accepted for the record from the other parent by the locally competent voivode – if that parent resides in Poland, or a Polish consul – from a person residing abroad or staying in Poland on the basis of a visa or visa-free travel or by correspondence with an officially certified signature. If the statement is made before another voivode or consul, a document confirming this information should be attached,
  7. statement of a minor foreigner, who is 16 years of age or older, on his/her consent to be recognized as a Polish citizen, accepted into the protocol by the locally competent voivode – if the minor resides in Poland, or the Polish consul – from a minor residing abroad or staying in Poland on the basis of a visa or in visa-free traffic or by correspondence with an officially certified signature. If a statement is made before another governor or consul, a document confirming this information must be attached.

Fees

The stamp duty for the issuance of a decision on recognition as a Polish citizen, in the amount of PLN 219, should be paid to the account of the City Hall of Lodz, Finance Department, 5 Sienkiewicza St., Bank Pekao S.A. 50 1240 1037 1111 0011 0925 0073. Proof of payment should be given to the Lodz Voivodship Office in Lodz, 103 Piotrkowska St., 90-425 Lodz.

How to submit the application

The application may be submitted in person or by correspondence.

Place of application submission

Łódzki Urząd Wojewódzki w Łodzi
Department of Civil Affairs and Foreigners
Department of Civil Affairs
104 Piotrkowska St
90-926 Łódź
Building E, room 025A

ELECTRONIC APPOINTMENT BOOKING: http://www.rezerwacje.lodzkie.eu

Receipt of decision

The decision may be sent by mail to the mailing address or picked up in person at the offices of the Department of Civil Affairs and Foreigners.

ELECTRONIC APPOINTMENT BOOKING: http://www.rezerwacje.lodzkie.eu