Applying for Polish citizenship and unsure which documents from your country of origin need sworn translation? The voivodeship office accepts only sworn translation into Polish with the seal of a translator from the Ministry of Justice register — an ordinary or "notarial" translation from another country will not work. Below — when translation is mandatory, the full document list by legal basis, office requirements and a step-by-step process to avoid rejection.
The citizenship procedure is long: some documents must be re-ordered in the issuing country, others completed in Poland. Allow 1–3 weeks for translating the full package and verify the list with your voivodeship office before the first order.
Regular translation without a sworn translator seal will be returned by the voivodeship office without review — you will need to order sworn translation again and lose months while citizenship deadlines pass.
QuoteBefore ordering translation, ask the voivodeship office or lawyer for a written document list for your legal basis — descent, marriage or long-term residence. Translate only what goes into the package, but do it early.
LEGIX Team
When is sworn translation required for citizenship?
Translation is required for any document not issued in Polish that you attach to an application for Polish citizenship at the voivodeship office.
By descent: civil status acts of parents or ancestors — birth, marriage, name change certificates — if they prove Polish roots.
By marriage to a Polish citizen: marriage certificate, documents on previous marriages and divorces, sometimes spouses' birth certificates.
By long-term residence: proof of legal stay, income, Polish language knowledge (B1 certificate), integration — all foreign certificates require sworn translation.
Criminal record certificate: from country of citizenship and from each country where you lived over one year after age 14 — full translation with apostille if required.
Diploma and employment history: if the office requests proof of education or service — diploma, transcript, employment certificates are translated in full.
Children's documents: birth certificates of minors included in the parent's application — sworn translation into Polish.
Which documents are translated for citizenship
The exact set depends on the legal basis — check the table and confirm the list with the voivodeship office before ordering translation.
Civil status acts: birth, marriage, divorce, spouse's death, name change certificates — full translation of all pages, including apostille.
Passport and identity documents: data pages, visas, border stamps — if the office requires translation (confirm in advance).
Proof of legal stay: residence cards, asylum decisions, registration documents — if not in Polish.
Income and employment: income certificates, tax returns, employment contracts, pension documents — for bases requiring financial stability.
Language certificate: if the exam was taken outside Poland and the certificate is not in Polish — sworn translation is required.
Order: apostille or legalisation in the issuing country first, then sworn translation. Language pair — source language → Polish, translator from the Ministry of Justice register.
Voivodeship office translation requirements
The voivodeship office accepts only sworn translation into Polish with the seal and signature of a translator from the Polish Ministry of Justice register.
Without full translation of all pages — including stamps, seals, apostille and reverse sides — the package may be returned even if the content is correct.
Completeness: every page of the original is translated — summaries, abbreviations and selective translation are not accepted.
Data accuracy: names, dates, places and document numbers must match across all acts, translations and the passport.
Numbering: each page of the translation bears the translator's seal; pages are numbered.
Certificate validity: translation is done on valid documents — an expired criminal record certificate may cause rejection.
What happens if the translation is incorrect?
Package return: the voivodeship office will not accept the application — you will need to reassemble the file and lose your place in the queue.
Years of delay: the citizenship case may be suspended until a correct sworn translation is provided for each problematic document.
Extra costs: re-translation, new certificates from abroad, apostille, courier delivery and missed document validity deadlines.
Step-by-step guide
Step 1. Obtain a written document list from the voivodeship office or lawyer for your legal basis — descent, marriage or long-term residence.
Step 2. Order originals or certified copies of acts in the issuing countries. For EU acts check whether the office accepts the multilingual form without translation.
Step 3. Affix apostille or legalisation on foreign documents — before ordering sworn translation so the clause is included in the text.
Step 4. Make clear scans of all pages: text, stamps and signatures readable. PDF or JPG, resolution at least 300 dpi.
Step 5. Send scans to a translation agency — after review they confirm cost and turnaround. At LEGIX we match a translator from the Ministry of Justice register for the correct language pair.
Step 6. Receive finished sworn translations with seal — by courier across Poland or in person.
Step 7. Before submission verify all data in translations against originals and passport; check the seal on every page.
Cost and turnaround for citizenship translation
Cost depends on document volume, source language and number of papers in the package. Exact pricing is confirmed after reviewing scans — indicative rates on the price list.
A typical birth or marriage certificate is 1–2 translation pages; a diploma with transcript or multi-page employment history costs more.
Standard turnaround for one document is 24–48 hours after order confirmation. Plan 1–3 weeks for a package of 8–15 citizenship documents.
Pre-submission checklist: (1) sworn translation into Polish with Ministry of Justice register seal; (2) all pages translated including apostille; (3) names match across all acts; (4) certificates still valid; (5) translations ready before the application date.
FAQ
Yes. The voivodeship office accepts documents in a foreign language only with sworn translation into Polish and the seal of a translator from the Ministry of Justice register. Regular translation is not accepted.