Recently, a wave of misinformation has been spreading online claiming that on May 12, 2025 the President of Poland signed amendments to the legislation, according to which foreign state documents (such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, name change certificates, etc.) will be accepted by Polish authorities only if they have an apostille or legalization.
As a professional immigration law firm in Poland, we would like to clarify that this information is false and misleading.
The Truth Behind the Headlines
- The President of Poland has NOT signed any legal amendments introducing such a requirement.
- No such law has come into force, nor are there any officially published legislative proposals currently under review.
- The rules regarding recognition of foreign official documents in Poland have not changed.
What Rules Apply Now?
The recognition of foreign official documents in Poland has always been regulated by bilateral agreements signed between Poland and certain countries.
This means:
-
If your country has a bilateral agreement with Poland regarding mutual recognition of documents — no apostille or legalization is required.
-
If there is no such agreement — your document must be either legalized or have an apostille to be accepted by Polish authorities.
Why This Matters
Following misleading or unofficial information can result in:
- Wasted time and money on unnecessary legalization/apostille,
-
Unjustified stress or panic.
What Should You Do?
If you’re applying for TRC in Poland, PRC in Poland, Polish citizenship, marriage, or you’re in the process of any other administrative procedures in Poland:
- Do not trust rumors or unofficial sources.
- Consult with a qualified legal advisor.
- Check if your country has an agreement with Poland.
Our Support
Our experienced team of lawyers and immigration specialists provides consultations to foreigners on issues of document recognition, legalization and registration of stay in Poland.
Sign up for a legal consultation to:
- check the requirements for your documents,
- avoid negative decisions in administrative proceedings,
- get professional legal assistance.
Book your legal consultation today!
Be careful. Trust only verified sources and professional lawyers.