Apostille in Poland and Translation Services #
If you need to use a foreign document in Poland, or a Polish document abroad, you may need an apostille. An apostille is a form of authentication issued to documents so that they will be recognized in foreign countries that are part of the Hague Convention of 1961. This convention abolished the requirement of diplomatic or consular legalization for public documents originating in one convention country and intended for use in another.
Apostille in Poland #
In Poland, the authority designated to issue apostilles is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministerstwo Spraw Zagranicznych): You can obtain an apostille for Polish documents directly from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Warsaw.
Contact Information:
- Address: Ministerstwo Spraw Zagranicznych, al. J. Ch. Szucha 23, 00-580 Warszawa
- Phone: +48 22 523 9000
- Website: https://www.gov.pl/web/msz/apostille
Translation Services and Apostille #
Often, when submitting documents with an apostille, you may also need to provide a certified translation. Here’s how translation services relate to the apostille process in Poland:
- Certified Translations: If your document is not in Polish, you will likely need to have it translated by a certified translator (tłumacz przysięgły) recognized by the Polish Ministry of Justice.
- Finding a Certified Translator: A list of certified translators can be found on the official website of the Ministry of Justice or through the Polish embassies and consulates.
- Apostille on Translations: The apostille is affixed to the original document. The translation itself does not receive an apostille. However, the certified translation is usually attached to the apostilled original.
Where to Find Translation Services:
- Online Directories: Many online directories list certified translators in Poland.
- Polish Ministry of Justice: The official list of certified translators is available on the Ministry’s website.
- Local Translation Agencies: Numerous translation agencies throughout Poland offer certified translation services.
Steps to Obtain an Apostille and Translation:
- Obtain the Original Document: Ensure you have the original document that needs the apostille.
- Get the Apostille: Submit the original document to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to obtain the apostille.
- Find a Certified Translator: Locate a certified translator to translate the document.
- Attach Translation: Attach the certified translation to the apostilled document.
Important Considerations:
- Timing: Plan ahead, as obtaining an apostille and a certified translation can take time.
- Cost: Be prepared for the costs associated with both the apostille and the translation services.
- Accuracy: Ensure the certified translator is experienced and accurate, as errors can cause issues with document acceptance.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your documents are properly authenticated and translated for use in Poland or abroad.
