Learn about the factors contributing to the costs of confirming Polish citizenship by descent.
If you have Polish ancestry, you may be eligible to confirm your Polish citizenship by descent. This is a great opportunity to officially acknowledge your heritage, gain legal status as a Polish citizen, and enjoy the many benefits of European Union membership.
Before starting this journey, however, it’s important to fully understand the whole process and the potential costs involved.
The cost of confirming Polish citizenship can depend on several factors, such as whether you already have the necessary documents, the need to search for them, and the cost of translating documents into Polish.
Understanding the documentation requirements and potential translation costs allows for better planning of the entire process.
In this article, I will explain how the process of confirming Polish citizenship works and the associated costs, so you can be well-prepared and ensure the process is efficient and smooth.
Key Takeaways
- How to confirm Polish citizenship by descent?
- What are the costs at each stage of the process?
- How can we help you?
The process of confirming Polish citizenship by descent
Confirming Polish citizenship by descent is one of the most popular ways to become a Polish citizen and obtain a passport, granting access to all the associated benefits within the EU.
Alongside Polish passports, for many of our clients, it’s also a unique opportunity to discover their roots and reconnect with their Polish heritage.
However, to fully take advantage of this opportunity, it’s essential to understand the steps involved in the citizenship confirmation process and what actions need to be taken at each stage.
| The process of confirming Polish citizenship by descent | ||||
| ① | ② | ③ | ④ | ⑤ |
| Validation of eligibility | Searching for documents | Preparation and submission of the application | Review of the application and official decision | Confirmation of citizenship |
1. Eligibility Validation
The first step in the process of applying for Polish citizenship by descent is verifying your eligibility.
You can do this by completing our free eligibility quiz. Once you fill it out, within 24 hours, you will receive a personalized offer from us, including a detailed explanation of your ancestor’s situation.
Check if you qualify for polish citizenship by descent
For more information on eligibility criteria, check out our article Who is Eligible for Polish Citizenship by Descent.
2. Document Search
After completing the quiz and receiving a positive evaluation of your situation, the next step is to gather the relevant documents necessary for confirming your ancestor’s Polish citizenship.
These documents may include birth and marriage certificates, as well as other documents confirming your ancestor’s status and identity. A full list of example documents can be found in our article How the process of getting Polish citizenship by descent looks like.
What if I can’t find the required documents?
Sometimes clients face difficulties in finding all the necessary documents during this phase. The reasons can vary – documents might be lost, destroyed, or difficult to access.
If you’re having trouble finding the required documents, Lexmotion experts can assist in locating them, which is often key to the success of the entire process.
Do I need to translate documents written in languages other than Polish?
Yes, before submitting your application, it’s important to remember that all the documents attached to your application must be submitted to the Polish government in Polish. This means that documents written in any foreign language must be translated by a sworn translator.
This is a crucial step to ensure full compliance with Polish requirements.
It’s worth noting that the costs associated with document searches and translations are an integral part of the process of confirming Polish citizenship by descent.
3. Application Preparation and Submission
Once all the required documents are gathered, it’s time to complete and submit the application to confirm your Polish citizenship. The application must be prepared in Polish, requiring precision and attention to detail.
Our experts ensure that every piece of information is thoroughly checked and correctly included in the documentation, making the process smooth and efficient.
4. Application Review and Decision
After the application is submitted, the waiting period for the government’s decision begins.
Currently, the entire process takes between 12 and 16 months, which may seem like a long time, but this is the period needed for officials to thoroughly review your documentation.
You can read more about the timeline of the entire process and its individual stages in our article How long does it take to obtain Polish citizenship and passport?
5. Citizenship Confirmation
When the government makes a positive decision, you will receive official confirmation of your Polish citizenship. Receiving your citizenship certificate opens the door to obtaining a Polish passport and all the rights granted to Polish citizens. The next steps, such as obtaining a passport, are just a formality.
To learn more about the benefits of having Polish citizenship and a Polish passport in the European Union, check out our article Benefits of Polish citizenship.
Costs associated with confirming Polish citizenship by descent
The costs associated with the process of confirming Polish citizenship by descent can vary depending on several key factors, which are important to understand:z
1. Document search costs
One of the primary cost elements in confirming citizenship is gathering the necessary documents. If you already have all the required documents, the costs may be lower.
Many of our clients who initially attempted to go through the confirmation process on their own eventually turn to us for assistance. This process requires time, knowledge, and persistence, especially for wartime or pre-war emigration cases, where specific documents are required.
If certain documents are missing, it may be necessary to search for them in archives, which can involve additional expenses. Our dedicated genealogical research team can assist you with this.
2. Sworn translations
All documents that are not in Polish must be translated by a sworn translator.
Sworn translations are essential for the documents to be accepted by Polish authorities.
You will need to find and commission these translations, and the overall cost will depend on the number of documents. It is important to remember that the quality of the translation plays a critical role in the success of the entire process.
This is another area we can help you with. In addition to sworn translators skilled in the Polish language, we can add our knowledge of citizenship laws to remove any risk of misinterpretation by the Polish authorities.
3. Administrative fees
Submitting the application for confirmation of Polish citizenship involves administrative fees set by Polish law.
The fee for confirming citizenship is one of the basic costs, but there may also be additional fees related to document registration. This is paid as part of the application, which is typically done through your Polish consulate.
4. Additional costs related to legal services
During the process of confirming citizenship, there may be issues related to your ancestor’s history that require clarification or legal consultation.
The experts at Lexmotion have helped over 4,500 clients confirm their Polish citizenship by descent. During this time, we have gained extensive experience working with clients with a wide variety of family backgrounds.
Each ancestor’s story is unique and requires an individualized approach to prepare the appropriate documentation and application. We can help you with this.
5. Passport cost
After successfully confirming your citizenship, you can apply for a Polish passport.
The cost of obtaining a passport is not included in the citizenship confirmation fees. The passport fee is paid directly to the Polish consulate and may vary depending on your country and specific consulate.
The process of confirming Polish citizenship by descent requires careful preparation and financial planning. Costs can vary depending on individual circumstances, but with the right expert support, these costs can be minimized, and unexpected expenses avoided.
Lexmotion offers comprehensive assistance at every stage, ensuring a professional and smooth process without unnecessary complications. The costs are proportional to the amount of work we invest in handling your application, taking into account the complexity of the process and the need for sworn translations of documents.
For detailed information on Lexmotion’s pricing, please visit our Pricing page.
Summary
The process of confirming Polish citizenship by descent requires careful preparation, a thorough approach, and a full understanding of each step. From gathering documents and handling sworn translations to completing applications and communicating with Polish government authorities, each stage can be time-consuming and complex, especially for those without experience in such matters.
Our experts at Lexmotion provide comprehensive assistance at every stage of the process, allowing clients to focus on other important matters without worrying about the formalities or administrative aspects of the procedure.
Many individuals who have attempted to navigate this process on their own encounter challenges, often leading to the need for professional support. This is particularly common in cases involving wartime or pre-war emigration documentation, where specialized knowledge and attention are required.
By choosing Lexmotion, you can be confident that the entire process will be handled efficiently, with no hidden costs, and full support from our experts. This saves you time, reduces stress, and ensures that all formalities are managed in a professional and effective manner. Our goal is to make the process of confirming your citizenship as smooth and straightforward as possible.
