How to register a foreign marriage in Poland – a step by step marriage registration process

The number of couples who choose to get married abroad has kept increasing over the last decades. In order to take benefit of all their marital rights, they must ensure proper civil marriage registration at a Polish Registry Office upon their return to Poland. Foreign marriage registration (UK included) is made by way of registration of marriage certificate issued abroad in a Polish Registry Office records. Such registration (or authentication) allows for any further legal steps, such as change of surname, introduction of joint marital property system or various administrative proceedings on the national level. Read the steps below to find out more about the requirements for marriage registration (online and in person), including – last but not the least – professional document translation services.

Step 1: Do I have to register my foreign marriage in Poland?

Even though a marriage entered into abroad remains valid there (provided that it has been effected with observance of the local law), it has to be entered into a Polish Registry Office records to be legally recognized. The question of ‘UK marriage registration’ is quite common, especially for Polish citizens who decide to get married to a British national abroad.

UK marriage registration is a must, if you plan to undergo any legally binding procedures in Poland. Without a Polish marriage registration certificate you will not be able to change your surname, verify your marital status or apply for a number of residency confirmation proceedings (in case of a foreigner who got married to a Polish national abroad).

Step 2: Where and how to apply for my marriage registration certificate?

An application for UK marriage registration can be submitted with any Registry Office in Poland. You don’t have to initiate your marriage registration proceedings at your place of residence. You can also apply with a Polish consulate if you live abroad.

The application for marriage registration can be submitted:

• in person,
  
• by proxy (agent),
  
• by post (in certain situations),
  
• you can also book your appointment online, if available at the office of your choice.

If your documents are complete and correct, your application will be accepted without any objections. And remember, there is no time limit for entering your marriage into a Polish Registry Office records.

To find out more about marriage documents required in Poland see:

Step 3: What documents are required for registration of marriage?

Your foreign marriage certificate is the most important document in the list. The documents required for marriage certificate registration include:

• the original (hard copy) of your foreign marriage certificate,
  
• certified translation of your marriage certificate into Polish,
  
• an apostille or legalization of your marriage certificate (depending on the country of origin),
  
• identity document of the applicant,
  
• a statement on the surname to be assumed upon entering into marriage (if not included in your marriage certificate).

The services of a sworn (certified) translator of the English language will be indispensable at this stage. Polish authorities can only accept translations that comply with requirements of the Polish Act on the Profession of a Sworn Translator. A certified translation (authenticated by a Polish sworn translator) is a guarantee that the institution will not refuse to accept your application or request its certification. It is especially important in case of differences in spelling of names, non-standard fields or additional features of the document. A sworn translator will make sure that your translation will be accurate and comply with every formal requirement of the Polish law.

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Step 4: Official document verification

The submitted documents are verified to make sure that all formal requirements have been met:

• the documents must be issued by a competent authority,
• the data must be true and correct,
• the marriage certificate registration has not been effected previously.

In case of mixed marriages, you may be required to submit some additional statements (attached with certified translations) by the Registrar. Certified translations of all your documents will allow for smooth (also online) marriage registration (uk documents included) and your data entered into Polish Registry Office records will be complete and accurate.

Step 5: Certified translation services

Sworn translator of the English language will:

• provide you with translations that meet all the requirements of the Polish law,
• safeguard your application from formal errors that might extend the entire process,
• assume professional liability for accuracy and correctness of your translations,
• produce certified translations of any additional statements required for foreigners.
  

Professional certified translation services will speed up your civil marriage registration process more than anything else.

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Step 6: How long do I have to wait for my council marriage registration?

The time required for completion of the entire procedure at your marriage registration office depends on the workload and number of submitted documents. Online marriage registration can usually take up to 30 days. The same applies for standard marriage registration procedure when you submit all the documents and translations in person.

Your marriage registration process will be much smoother and more effective, if all your documents are complete and attached with quality (certified) translations that require no further explanations. That is why the choice of a professional sworn translator to ensure the quality and accuracy of your translations matters so much.

Step 7: Does registration of marriage fix it all?

Upon completion of your marriage registration, you will receive a Polish certified copy of an entry of marriage, which enables you to initiate the following procedures:

• confirmation of your marital status,
• change of surname (deed poll application),
• registration of residence and other official procedures,
• residency permit procedures for a foreigner.

Recommendation

The Office of Jacek Kasprzyk, Sworn Translator of the English Language is highly recommended by its clients. Thanks to mastery of linguistic knowledge and experience in handling of official legal procedures, the Office can provide you with top quality certified translations from English to Polish (and from Polish to English) that are recognized by any official authorities in Poland. Certified translations delivered by the Office are produced with consideration of differences between various legal systems and official terminology to ensure their accuracy, truthfulness and compliance with the Polish law.

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