Countries around the world regulate the way you acquire citizenship

based on the principles of jus sanguinis (nationality of the parents) or jus soli (nationality of the place of birth).  While the United States grants citizenship to people born on its soil, it is the blood relationship that matters for Poland. What does this mean for a person from a Polish family born in the United States? It means that they are an American by birth in the U.S., but are also able to apply for Polish citizenship by descent. It also means that your U.S. birth certificate is a proof that you are an American, but a Polish birth record is not sufficient to show that you are Polish.

In general, the process of claiming your Polish Citizenship requires putting together applications and supporting documentation along with their translations. These are then filed with two separate agencies in Poland, i.e. Mazowiecki UrządWojewódzki and UrządStanuCywilnego. The former issues a decision verifying that you are Polish based on the fact that at least one of your parents was Polish at the time of your birth. The latter is a national vital records office, which issues you a Polish birth certificate. If you are married, you are also required to register your marriage. Your marital status in the U.S. and Poland needs to be the same, especially if you changed your last name due to marriage.

Confirmation of Polish citizenship is by far the most common process of becoming a documented Pole.

Please contact us with any questions you may have about Polish citizenship or any related matters.