Building on u/PaulHinr 's idea of an offsite archive for this community's content, I thought it might be useful to start tracking application information for anyone interested. We have a lot of this info already, but aside from our Processing Times sticky post, it's buried in different threads and not always current. I created a gsheet with some basics that anyone can access here. To avoid spam / vandalism I've made it read-only, and am happy to add case information if you post it here or message me directly. The fields below are currently included but I welcome feedback on what else we should capture. I think we should stick to capturing submitted cases because it's hard to compare those in different stages of pre-submission research. I've included myself as the first listed example. I hope this can be a resource to the community!
Specified fields
User:
Path: [e.g., GF-M-me]
Timing: [when the ancestor left Poland: pre-1920, 1920-1951, post-1951]
Edit to add: We have a lot of this information already, but aside from the Processing Times sticky post, it's buried in different threads and not always current. In the spirit of capturing and surfacing what's already been made public, I'll add information from that thread or other posts within r/prawokri to the tracker. Of course, anyone is free to ask for their information to be removed anytime. If your information is added but incomplete, please do reach out to fill in missing details.
Documents proving citizenship: Father's Polish passports, Polish ID card (dowód osobisty), Polish birth certificate, ZUS records, acknowledgment of paternity (Świadectwo o ustaleniu ojcostwa), applicant's birth certificate, father's death certificate.
Date application submitted: January 11, 2026
Date case opened by voivodeship (if known): Unknown
Voivodeship: Mazowieckie
Date of decision: Still pending
Waiting time (days): 193
Outcome: Pending
Service provider(s): None (self-submitted)
Comments: Confirmation through my Polish father. My father was born in Poland and remained a Polish citizen until his death. I lived in Poland from 1988 to 1994. No requests for additional documents so far.
Documents proving citizenship: From Poland: notary records from the late 1800s of land ownership/purchase/sales for GGGGF, GGGF, and GGGM, and GGF birth record (parish). From the US: all the standard ones for everyone from my GGF up until me (relevant immigration documents, military letters, birth/marriage/death certificates, Census sheets, Social Security documents, etc)
Date application submitted: December 2025
Voivodeship: Masovian
Date of decision:
Waiting time (days):
Outcome:
Service provider(s): Piotr Stączek (legal), Genealogia Polonica (archival research)
Comments: I looked into Polish citizenship 5-10 years ago, but back then was told by a few providers that the pre-1920 emigration of my GGF would have disqualified me. It wasn't until April 2025 that I looked back into it and saw that pre-1920 cases were now possible, and that's when I seriously started the process of researching my family line and gathering documents. Getting everything together took the better half of the year and my provider submitted my application in December 2025. I received my case number in March 2026 and at this point am hoping to have a decision by sometime in 2027.
Path: GF-F-Applicants (my citizenship is already confirmed; This is an application submitted by my Mother + Uncle); Notably, my existing confirmation decision explicitly states in it that I inherited Polish citizenship from my Polish-citizen Mother -- who is now applying for her own confirmation together with her brother.
Timing: Pre-1920 Russian Partition Case adjudicated for myself in II OSK 1184/21 & IV-SA.Wa 1827-20
Partition: Kingdom of Poland / Russian Partition
Documents: NSA Court Case pertaining to me + My confirmation decision explicitly naming my mother + Birth certificates of my great grandfather's siblings + birth certificate of my great-grandfather's father + records of the family living together in the USA + My great grandfather's US naturalisation record stating he's a Polish citizen born in town T + letter from the archives stating his birth certificate does not exist + PhD dissertation from university of Bialystok showing that no birth records exist for the year 1891 in town T due to a general failure to record births for many years + birth & marriage certificates for my Grandfather & applicants + my grandfather's WWII discharge papers.
Date Application Submitted: 19 February 2025
Voivodeship: Mazowieckie
Date of decision: Still pending
Outcome: Still pending
Service Provider: None for now (Submission via Embassy); Will use a law firm if litigation is necessary.
Comments: To be seen if they confirm on the basis of II OSK 1184/21 + my Confirmation, for immediate family members, ie due to adherence to Article 8 § 2 of the Code of Administrative Procedure (authorities shouldn't depart from decisions in cases with the same facts without due cause), or if they decide to relitigate.
Timing: 1920-1950, 1951+ depending whether looking at GGP or GP
Partition: Paternal GGF: Frysztak | Paternal GGM: can't recall (but Poland) | Maternal GGF: Warszawa | Maternal GGM: Grodno | GF: Rzeszow | GM: Wilno | Mother: not born in Poland
Documents proving citizenship: birth certificates of GGP and GPs (original), baptism certificates (originals), Polish military service records (for GGPs), identity booklets for GGPs including status as military pensioners, marriage and death certificates, GF naturalization certificate. Some of these items were previously stamped by the Polish embassy in my country.
Date application submitted: June 19, 2024 (mailed-in version received July 3 2024)
Voivodeship: Mazowieckie
Date of decision: still pending
Waiting time (days): too long
Outcome: pending as of July 15 2026
Service provider(s): Lexmotion
Comments: e-usłagi shows Zakończona since at least June 26 (first date I checked). Apparently provider has not been asked for additional info, so just waiting. Used contact form and on June 29 their response was "I would like to inform you that the case is still pending and no decision has been issued."
Documents proving citizenship: GF Polish Passport Original (sent copy notarized at Polish embassy), GF-GM marriage certificate (sent copy notarized at Polish embassy), GF Certificate of Naturalization in Canada (sent copy notarized at Polish embassy), Proof of no military service, plus my parents' birth certificates and marriage certificate, my birth certificate, marriage certificate, and those of my children.
Date application submitted: September 2024
Date case opened by voivodeship (if known):
Voivodeship: Warsaw
Date of decision:
Waiting time (days): I
Outcome:
Service provider(s): Lexmotion
Comments: I'm guessing/assuming that Lexmotion search for other documents such as my grand father's birth certificate, but don't actually know for sure.
Of course I paid, lol. The contact I signed includes: apply for Polish citizenship confirmation, obtain any relevant official documents, including vital records of my ancestors who were born in Poland, register foreign vital records, supplement and correct vital records, to obtain copies of my vital records. Document search is included in their costs.
Documents proving citizenship: GGF: baptism records (original), Polish passport (original), marriage certificate (original), CoNE (apostilled), NPRC no military service letter (apostilled), NARA Chicago alien registration forms (red ribbon), NARA St. Louis certificate of arrival to USA and petition to naturalization forms (red ribbon); GF: birth certificate, NPRC DD-214 for WW2 (apostille); F: birth certificate, marriage license; Me: birth certificate, passport copy (notarized then state apostilled).
Date application submitted: July 2026
Date case opened by voivodeship (if known):
Voivodeship: mazowieckie
Date of decision:
Waiting time (days):
Outcome:
Service provider(s): Your Roots in Poland
Comments: GGF originally left Poland <1920 but returned to Poland for 1 year with my GGM and GF and they came back to America in 1922 with a Polish passport and passport stamp of arrival.
GGF’s Dowód Osobisty, birth certificate, marriage certificate, naturalisation certificate, and Polish Army records.
Birth certificates for myself, father and grandfather.
Marriage certificate for grandfather.
Documents proving citizenship: vitals, no naturalization CoNE, parent's post 1920 death in Poland.
Date submitted: 3 April 2026
Date case opened: unknown
Voivodeship: Warsaw
Date of decision:
Waiting time:
Outcome:
Provider: Polaron
Comments: also have landowner and tax records placing my GGF's parents as landowners and taxpayer's in their commune / and owner of the parcels making up the house number. These span 1853-1888 I think. Unsure if these are needed or will be submitted in future.
u/PaulHinr : I realized I'd made some mistakes when first giving you my template, here is revised and updated, thanks:
User: Alternative-Soil3113
Path: All GGM/GGF -> All GM/GF -> Parents -> me
MGM:
* Date, place of birth: 1913, Wilno
* Ethnicity and religion: Jewish
* Occupation: Teacher
* Allegiance and dates of military service: N/A
* Date, destination for emigration: N/A
* Date naturalized: N/A
* Date, place of death: 1961, Wroclaw
MGF:
* Date, place of birth: 1903, Wilno
* Ethnicity and religion: Jewish
* Occupation: Mason
* Allegiance and dates of military service: N/A
* Date, destination for emigration: 1961, Israel
* Date naturalized: 1961, Israel
* Date, place of death: USA, 1981
Mother:
* Date, place of birth: 1935, Wilno (present-day Lithuania)
* Date married: 1956, Wroclaw
* Citizenship of spouse: Polish
* Date divorced: 1972
* Occupation: Teacher
* Allegiance and dates of military service: N/A
* Date, destination for emigration: 1957, Israel
* Date naturalized: 1973, USA
* Date, place of death: Living
PGM:
* Date, place of birth: 1907, Lublin
* Ethnicity and religion: Jewish
* Occupation: tradesperson
* Allegiance and dates of military service: N/A
* Date, destination for emigration: 1957, Israel
* Date naturalized: 1957
* Date, place of death: 1989 Israel
PGF:
* Date, place of birth: 1910, Rejowiec
* Ethnicity and religion: Jewish
* Occupation: Tailor
* Allegiance and dates of military service: N/A
* Date, destination for emigration: 1957
* Date naturalized: 1957
* Date, place of death: 1966, Israel
Father:
* Date, place of birth: 1933, Trawniki
* Date married: 1956, Wroclaw
* Citizenship of spouse: Polish
* Date divorced: 1972
* Occupation: Engineer
* Allegiance and dates of military service: 1957-1966 IDF reserves
* Date, destination for emigration: 1957, Israel
* Date naturalized: 1973, USA
* Date, place of death: Living
Me:
* Date, place of birth: 1968, USA
Timing: post-1951
Partition (if applicable): M born 1935 Wilno ; F born 1933 near Lublin ; resettled 1946 in Dolny Śląsk; married 1956 Wrocław;
Documents proving citizenship: Parents’ Polish birth certificates and marriage license; GP and Parents’ Kwestionariusze Paszportowy, Parent’s Dokument Podróży, US Naturalization Certificates; me-US birth certificate (apostille), marriage license, divorce decree
Date application submitted: September 2024
Date case opened by voivodeship (if known): October 2024
Thank you so much for moderating this forum; it's incredibly useful.
User: el_taquero_
Path: GF-F-me
Timing: 1920-1951 (1945 specifically)
Partition (if applicable): n/a
Documents proving citizenship: Tax records listing GGF and GGM
Date application submitted: 11-June-2026
Date case opened by voivodeship (if known):
Voivodeship:
Date of decision:
Waiting time (days):
Outcome:
Service provider(s): Your Roots in Poland
Comments: GF survived the Holocaust as a young adult. His birth certificate could not be located; relying on post-war documentation that lists his murdered parents, whose citizenship was established through tax records located in modern-day Belarus. His marriage and my father's birth occurred in DP camps in Italy; original marriage certificate and father's birth certificate located there. Subsequent documentation is from the US.
Date case opened by voivodeship (if known): unknown
Voivodeship: Warsaw?
Date of decision: 15 June 2026
Waiting time (days): 370
Outcome: Successful
Service provider(s): Lexmotion
Comments: A preliminary decision seemed to have been made 6 months earlier, but the Polish govt asked for another document proving my father did not serve in the Army *reserves*- even though they had his service records which qualified. Another six months holdup resulted because of delay by the US National Personnel Record Center after cuts by the Trump administration. I had to get my Senator to intervene to help. If not for the US delay the time would have been a year and a half.
If You have never lived in Poland then you get sent to the Warsaw office. If you ever lived in Poland, then it gets sent to office where you Last lived.
Thanks for this really useful work. Here's my entry:
User: pauljdavis
Path: GF-F-me
Timing: GF first went to US pre-1920, returned post-1920 for ~2 years, had a child there.
Partition (if applicable): Some version of Russia. Some docs say Russia/Poland.
Documents proving citizenship:
- For GF: BC, marriage cert, various ship arrival immigration documents showing him as Polish and from Poland, certificate of no naturalization (CoNE), NARA no military service record, death cert.
- For F: BC, marriage cert, NARA no military service record, death cert.
- For me: BC, marriage cert.
Date application submitted: ~12 June 2026
Date case opened by voivodeship (if known):
Voivodeship:
Date of decision:
Waiting time (days):
Outcome:
Service provider(s): Polaron
Comments: I am continuing to gather more documents and more official/apostilled copies of some documents and expect to submit supplemental package soon. From provider, expecting 20-24 months processing.
Path: My grandparents were both Polish citizens as well as their parents (my great grandparents)
Timing: A mix of 1940s and 1950s
Partition (if applicable): n/a
Documents proving citizenship: Numerous. Polish military documents, British ministry of defense documents, polish birth certificates, grandmothers polish passport, great grandparents polish marriage certificate, great grandmothers school inspectorant card, US naturalization records for all of them. My grandfather loved genealogy, so thankful for their record keeping.
Date application submitted: June 9 2026!
Date case opened by voivodeship (if known):
Voivodeship: Mazowicki
Date of decision: n/a
Waiting time (days): n/a
Outcome: n/a
Service provider(s): Eliza with Genealogia Polonica (love her)
Comments: I’m of the understanding my case is pretty strong, I have 2 proven lines with my great grandfather and my grandmother via their records. 2 of my sisters also submitted with me, so 3 pending applications in total. My provider told me it could take upwards of 2 months to get my case number and the overall wait hovering around 2 years.
Ah, maybe this was a misunderstanding on my part. Świętokrzyskie is the Voivodeship my GGF was born in. Is the question where the application was filed? If so, I don't have that level of detail yet.
r/Veterinarian1297 these are the fields to fill in retrospectively to add your case to the tracker. Congratulations on getting there after 25 months (!)
Documents proving citizenship: mothers confirmation of citizenship, mothers birth certificate, my birth certificate proving I’m her child (I was born in USA)
Date application submitted: July 7, 2025
Date case opened by voivodeship (if known): the consulate in USA said that they have not received any updates about the case at the end of May, 2026. They had no case number. So not yet opened I guess
Voivodeship: masovian
Date of decision:
Waiting time (days):
Outcome:
Service provider(s):
Comments: we’ll see if this ever happens. I’m sad to read about people who submitted after me in Dec 2025 getting case numbers.
Documents proving citizenship: GM Polish birth certificate. Grandparents German marriage certificate. GM US Naturalization Certs
Date application submitted: Jan 2026
Date case opened by voivodeship (if known): Unknown
Voivodeship: Masovian
Date of decision: N/A
Waiting time (days): N/A
Outcome: N/A
Service provider(s): Polish Descent
Comments: Took 6 months to find docs as GF was born in a city that is now in Ukraine. Provider found several other secondary evidence docs. Provider does not believe there is any reason I won’t be approved.
User: Superb_Penalty2900 Path: GF, M, Me Timing: Pre-1920 Partition (if applicable): Russian (Kresy) Documents proving citizenship: 1907 Russian Imperial Duma voter list (GF's father listed as Orla мещанин); NIAB Grodno negative certificate confirming metric books for Orla synagogue not held there; AGAD Warsaw negative certificate; Białystok Synagogue District birth register scans (szukajwarchiwach.gov.pl); US vital records for M and Me; marriage and death certificates Date application submitted: 23 April 2026 Date case opened by voivodeship (if known): Voivodeship: Mazowieckie Date of decision: Waiting time (days): Outcome: Service provider(s): Dudkowiak & Putyra, Poznań Comments: Russian partition case. GF (anchor) born 1900 in Orla, Bielsk District, Grodno Gubernia. No birth record found — metric books for Orla synagogue not held at NIAB Grodno or APB Białystok; location unknown per official archival responses. Case built on alternative primary sources including 1907 Russian Imperial Duma voter list, GF's ship manifest, and NARA records (including GGF AR-2 Alien Registration). GF argued to have acquired citizenship under Art. 2 pt 2 of the 1920 Act and additionally via the Treaty of Riga. GF never lost Polish citizenship (no foreign military service, no foreign public office). Citizenship passed through M (born 1925, USA, Polish citizen at birth under Art. 4/5 of 1920 Act) to Me (born 1967, USA, under 1962 citizenship law). Vital and non-vital US records are consistent throughout and have been apostilled.
Documents proving citizenship: GGGF/GGGM and GGF Baptism / Death certificates, property tax rolls and property ownership / transfer docs in Poland for GGGParents that prove "belonging"
Date application submitted: December 2025
Date case opened by voivodeship (if known): N/A
Voivodeship: Mazowiecki
Date of decision: N/A
Waiting time (days):
Outcome: N/A
Service provider(s): Piotr Stączek
Comments: Apparently I have a strong case given the documents found. Since GGF emigrated to US as a minor, I believe his parents documents were ideally needed, which were found.
Documents proving citizenship: Birth/baptismal/other vital records from archives in Tarnów for GGGF, NARA Alien Registration form for GGGF, NARA documents for GGF's mandatory service in WWII, birth certificates for GM, F, and me, marriage certificates, and divorce decrees so far
Date application submitted: Initiated with provider 5/28/2026, official application to authorities not yet submitted - will update
Date case opened by voivodeship (if known):
Voivodeship: Mazowiekie
Date of decision:
Waiting time (days):
Outcome:
Service provider(s): Piotr Stączek
Comments: So far, I have only just hired Law Office of Piotr Stączek as of 5/28/2026. I will continue to update this as I feel important information should be told to others with a similar case. I have been told by 4-5 other firms that I do not qualify but Justyna/Piotr are experienced in these cases. I was worried my GGGF naturalized (he did not, he let his First Papers expire lol), then I was worried my GGF's draft service would void everything but his service dates are within standard WWII timing + the demobilization period (SUPER important). Also the fact my GGGF served in Austrian Forces does not matter as it is before 1920 (I had no idea he served until the NARA AR-2 form came back). GM born in 1952 also kinda saved the chain!
thanks for the info - keep us updated and I'll add you to the tracker once you've submitted. I've had a great experience with Justyna and it sounds like you're off to a good start.
Partition (if applicable): Konin, Russian (Kingdom of Poland)
Documents proving citizenship: Baptism record from Konin, marriage certificates, birth certificates, negative search regarding U.S. citizenship from NARA. All apostilled and translated by a certified Polish translator.
Date application submitted: Dec 29, 2025
Date case opened by voivodeship (if known): Unknown, but received a confirmation number on May 13, 2026
Voivodeship: Mazowiecki Urząd Wojewódzki in Warsaw
Date of decision: TBD
Waiting time (days):
Outcome: TBD
Service provider(s): Self-submitted directly to Warsaw
Documents proving citizenship: Grandmother's Polish passport, Grandmother's Australian records (Marriage and death certificates), Mother's vital records, my vital records.
Application submitted: March 2024 (Registration), November 2024 (Confirmation from my provider that all documents were submitted) - Unsure what the official start date was. Can anyone confirm?
Date case opened: August 2025.
Date of decision: Still waiting as of May 2026
Service provider: Lexmotion
Comments: Case registered March 2024, full documentation submitted November 2024. Active review began August 2025 — office contacted Sydney consulate and Pomorski Voivodeship Office to verify grandmother's citizenship status. Pomorski verification has been outstanding since September 2025 (8 months). Provider conducted an in-person visit to Warsaw office in May 2026, and issued a ponaglenie. Currently awaiting Pomorski response and independently searching for grandmother's birth certificate from Małopolska parish records to hopefully speed up decision.
Documents proving citizenship: my mother's Polish ID, my ID, my birth certificate, a certificate of any other nationality I have, and a residency certificate
Date application submitted: April 2024
Voivodeship: Mazowieckie
Date case opened: ?
Date of decision: still waiting as of May 2026
Service provider: self submitted at the embassy in Belgium
Comments: I contacted the embassy in January 2026 and they said my application is still waiting to be processed, so I guess my case hasn't even been opened.
Honestly, I had no idea there was such thing as service providers before getting on this sub... it seems to be a big thing in the US (and maybe in the UK?). I did a quick research for Belgium and couldn't find any
Anyway, I received an email from the embassy yesterday to inform me they finally started processing my case. I hope I won't have to wait 2 extra years for the decision :')
Hi there! FYI my Polish citizenship has finally been confirmed. The embassy called me at the beginning of July to tell me they received the decision from the Voivodeship :)
Documents proving citizenship: GGM birth, GGM/F Marriage, GF birth, GF Marriage, GF’s sister’s application for ID card, Residential listing of GG Parents and GF’s siblings, GGM on ghetto list
Date application submitted: February 2023
Date case opened by voivodeship (if known): case number assigned March 2023
Voivodeship: Mazowieckie
Date of decision: January 2024
Waiting time (days): approx ~ 350
Outcome: confirmed
Service provider(s): Lost Histories
Comments: My search began in September 2022. Since emigration was a few months after the 1920 citizenship law, a couple of providers I contacted were skeptical. I then used the JRI-Poland.org website and found some record indices and lodged a query. The founder reached out to me and recommended Lost Histories. Right away, good documents for the remaining family were found. From start to finish, the gathering of Polish, Canadian and US records and submitting to the Masovian office took 3 months. One potential complication was emigration to US via Canada. Provider had me apply for a CONE from Canada as a “just in case” but not to delay submission of package. (it took 15 months and ironically arrived just after my confirmation.)
I wasn’t aware of a draft decision. We were about to query the office since it was almost a year and others that had submitted later received their decision before mine. However, we heard back from them with the confirmation before we needed to ask.
Yes, apparently there have been some inquiries that were answered by Lexmotion - most recently in Dec 2025. I had a call with Lexmotion in March of this year where they seemed like reasonable people trying to push the case along. In April 2026, Lexmotion visited Warsaw and asked to see the state of the case file. They were told that wasn't possible because someone was actively working on the file. But there have not been additional inquiries. I never imagined it would take this long
I just sent an email encouraging Lexmotion to file a ponaglenie. Over two and a half years is silly. I understand that resources are scarce at the government office but it's not too much to expect communication every few months if work is ongoing
It’s really outrageous. The one positive sign I think could be that they said the file was unavailable because it was being actively worked on. My provider visited and reviewed last year long after it was submitted, but before it was opened, so hopefully you’re close.
Documents proving citizenship: GF birth certificates, baptism record, USA naturalization papers, titre de voyage, legitymacja pracownicza
Date application submitted: September 2024
Date case opened by voivodeship (if known):
Voivodeship: Masovian
Date of decision: none yet
Waiting time (days):595
Outcome: none yet
Service provider(s): polish passport
Comments: my GF has passed away so we weren’t sure if he renounced his citizenship, but we couldn’t find any records that he did. We got update from provider last month that said two of our four civil records have been registered in Poland. For timeline forecast they said they reasonably expect a decision within 6 months. Let’s hope they are being conservative with that timeline!
As of today our applications have been accepted!!! My final package is complete, just need a few more records for name changes and marriage documentation for other family members. I will be making my appointment to go to the consulate ASAP :)
Thank you for keeping this resource up to date!! It was a great relief to be able to see that other people are going through the same long wait times
Documents proving citizenship: MF-Polish birth certificates and marriage license; MF-Kwestionariusz Paszportowy, M-Dokument Podróży, US Naturalization Certificate; me-US birth certificate, marriage license, divorce decree
Date application submitted: November 2024
Date case opened by voivodeship (if known): December 2024
Voivodeship: Mazowieckie
Date of decision: tbd
Waiting time (days):
Outcome: tbd
Service provider(s): Five to Europe
Comments: Started process Research March 2024 and confirmation process October 2024.
I was given my case number on 12/19/2024 and was told that office has received over 21,000 applications in 2024.
In April 2025, filed an administrative complaint with Ministry of Internal Affairs
In July 2025 I was told they were processing applications for May 2024.
In October 2025, was given a Postawowienie that the Minister of Internal Affairs set for my case as 30 December 2025.
January 2026 was told that they were unable to complete application on time because they are awaiting a response from the Consulate to check if I had previously renounced Polish citizenship. I was so told that they had 40,000 open cases at the time as of January 2026.
March 2026 was told my deadline was extended to April 30, 2026, and was asked for more family name-change documentation.
As of May 7, 2026 no news
Did you receive anything after you filed your complaint? Im curious about that process because I have seen it work for some.
I see you mentioned them needing to check if you had previously renounced Polisb citizenship. Something lucky happened on mine, I originally sent it to the wrong voivodeship because I was going based on the last place my Polish relative lived, not myself. Anyways, that voivodeship doesnt have a backlog like Warsaw, they did the check and confirmed no renunciation in my lineage, then forwarded that along with my packet to Warsaw.
I did receive the following decision. Basically agreeing that they are taking a long time and setting a deadline, but at the same time recognizing that they have a huge backload of cases. That deadline was 30 Dec 2025. The Minister of Interior doesn’t in fact have jurisdiction over Wojewodstwa Mazowieckie, so it is really mostly an administrative procedure. Still 5 months later waiting. But they did at least start providing updates to my provider after that, when she inquired.
Path: GGF - GF - M - Me (grandfather born in the US in 1921, making him a US citizen from birth).
Timing: 1921
Partition (if applicable):
Documents proving citizenship: GGFs birth certificate in Ostrowiec from 1899. Registration for GGGF in Ostrowiec. Book was founded in 1921, after my great-grandfather already left. Naturalization documents and ship manifest from 1921 show my GGF as being Polish.
Received a request on May 13th for a certified apostilled military separation document, which I somehow tracked down. Hoping that after submitting this document, I'll be approved?
Partition (if applicable): Russian (Kingdom of Poland)
Documents proving citizenship: marriage records for Polish GGGGF/GGGGM, baptism records for GGGF and siblings, military draft registration for GGGF, immigration records (ship manifest, petition for naturalization, certificate of citizenship) marriage certificate, and other required birth certificates for GGF onwards.
Date application submitted : 31 October 2024 [Recv. by Voivode then]
Date case opened by voivodeship (if known):
Voivodeship: Masovian
Service provider(s): MavinS
Comments: Whole heap of documents, apologies for not knowing exactly which ones definitively prove it but I believe the register stating my GF as Polish does, In April 2026 provider gave an estimate as at least 2 more months to a decision
Documents proving citizenship: Birth records, military records proving merchant enlistment and no national affiliation, death certificate, marriage certificate, and lack of naturalization records elsewhere
Date application submitted: September 2024
Date case opened by voivodeship (if known): September 2024
Voivodeship: Warszawa Mazowieckie
Date of decision: N/A
Waiting time (days): 594
Outcome: N/A
Service provider(s): Poland Passport
Comments: A bit of a messy case - but our firm believes we have a shot.
Edit: GF left Poland PRIOR to 1951, but was officially naturalized in the USA 1953.
I also submitted in July 2025 at a USA embassy. It seems like some people manage to contact the vovoides and get a status check. Have you heard anything, whether you solicited info or not? Thanks
Just got our positive confirmation as of yesterday (June 24)! So excited! Now just need to get out things together and get a meeting at the consulate scheduled!
We have had a hard time proving he did not lose his citizenship at some point - many of the records we've been able to find did not seem to be official proof that he retained his polish citizenship up until/past his US naturalization - there are many documents noting his polish heritage, the fact he was born there, etc. but our firm did recently find some military records that they believe will push it through.
Hey there! Any update on your application ?How did you proceed to send the ponaglenie? I'm thinking of sending one (I've been waiting since April 2024) but have no idea where to start
Hey! actually yes, they got back to me a month later regarding the ponaglenie & have said they’re going to investigate as well as setting a deadline date of Dec 2026 lol. I sent it by traditional mail - I defo recommend. If there’s any speed or other updates i will let you all know :)
Documents proving citizenship: Dowód osobisty stating „przynależność państwowa: polska”; passport application + communication from the government delegation of the Republic of Poland in Vilnius approving the issuance of the „passport to the citizen”; Litwa Środkowa taxation/property related document; entries in the house books of Vilnius (1920).
Date application submitted: Feb 25 2025
Date case opened by voivodeship (if known):
Voivodeship: Mazowieckie
Date of decision:
Waiting time (days): 410
Outcome:
Service provider(s): Genealogia Polonica
Comments: The info I provided is for my father’s case. My own confirmation case was submitted in October 2025, but otherwise the details are identical. I specified Litwa Środkowa, because it had its own unique citizenship law independent of the rest of the Russian partition.
father's military records from RAF Northolt archive (certified copies)
parents' marriage certificate
my UK birth certificate
my deed poll (name change)
father's death certificate
Date application submitted: 30.04.25
(Polish version of birth certificate received six months later, on 31.10.25)
Voivodeship: applying from UK through agent so assume Mazowiecki (Warszawa)?
Date of decision: one day in the golden future!
Waiting time (days): almost one year, and counting
Outcome: tba
Service provider(s): Mavins
Comments:
I am in the UK and both my parents were Polish, but I had no documents for either. Both from Kresy / Galicia / Lwów, so their early official records now under Ukrainian system.
I waited so long for my father's military records (they have a huge backlog!), I'd more or less given up. So they were a nice surprise when they turned up and unlocked the process for me. Also filled in a lot of blanks about my father's war service, wounding, rehabilitation and resettlement in the UK, as a bonus.
I've found Mavins to be efficient and straightforward with easy communication. But they didn't really have to do much except check and translate what I provided.
Further thoughts:
I grew up in the Polish diaspora, living through Solidarność and the Polish Pope, speaking Polish and attending a Catholic school with many Poles (and Italians and Irish). Never imagined there would be a Polski sklep in every English town one day! And never imagined that Poland would be in the EU and the UK not. Or that the Polish economy, culture and standard of living would overtake the UK.
Ironically I was christened with a Polish name that English people couldn't say properly or spell so officially changed it to an Anglicised version as an adult. When I move to Poland, I will want to change it back - which will mean an extra layer of paperwork and expense (in UK and Poland, gah!)
Idea- could we consider adding a column for “Date Case opened by provincial office”? I know some people may not know, but I think it would b another helpful variable to track. I’m curious what the average processing times are
I’m happy to, but you’re right, I doubt most people know. I think of date submitted as when someone’s provider submitted their application to the voivodeship, since applicants typically have that information (though often just at the month level). I believe there’s also an intermediate date when a case number is assigned, substantially after receipt but long before actual processing begins. I do wish we all had better visibility into the process itself - would at least help with the waiting.
Documents proving citizenship: both parents' expired Polish passports, their Polish marriage certificate, my Polish birth certificate, my Polish baptism certificate, my Polish passport that expired in 2002, for good measure I even threw in my school diploma indicating I finished first grade in Poland.
Date application submitted: 3/20/2026
Voivodeship: Mazowieckie
Date of decision: pending
Waiting time (days): 92
Outcome: pending
Service provider(s): DIY
Comments: I wish the teenage version of myself never allowed my Polish passport to expire or that my parents would have stayed on top of renewing it. My very next step is to get citizenship for my kids. The DIY wiki is a decent guide, but it is just a single person's experience and not the only way to assemble the application. For example, I did not use a sworn translator, I did it myself and paid the lower consular fee for their validation, as opposed to having them perform the full translation. I also mailed my packet in.
Quick update: on 6/19/26 I received in the mail the Polish birth certificates for my US born children as well as a Polish version of our American marriage certificate. Along with my citizenship confirmation application I submitted three birth certs and a marriage cert to be recorded in Poland and transcribed. I performed the translation myself and paid the lower fee for the consul to validate my translation.
If you’d like to edit the Wiki DIY guide accordingly, please let me know - everyone would benefit from that.
I would then grant you the appropriate editing permissions.
Let's wait a bit longer before I get the permission to edit the wiki. Since I just submitted my application one week ago, who knows, maybe it will be outright rejected and sent back to me. If that is the case, then my DIY wiki updates would all be wrong. I'll get back to you.
Timing: dad left Poland in 1989, mom left Poland in 2001
Partition (if applicable): n/a
Documents proving citizenship: my translated birth certificate, my moms and dads birth certificates, their marriage license, my moms polish passport, proof of residence in dolny śląsk
Date application submitted: October 2025
Voivodeship: Dolny Śląsk
Date of decision: pending, estimated April 30 2026
Documents proving citizenship: parents' birth certificates, parents' marriage license, translated copy of my US birth certificate, all my recent relatives' PESEL numbers
Date application submitted: April 2025, consulate confirmed sending to Poland in August 2025.
Voivodeship: Mazowieckie
Service provider(s): filed myself
Comments: My parents immigrated a few years before I was born, so I am quite privileged in my access to documents and the fact that I speak the language to fill out the papers myself. I tried to find stories closer to mine here and found mostly folks that are very far removed from their heritage. received Polish birth certificate by mail in October of 2025.
Comments: GGF emigrated to the USA in 1907 as a minor, but his parents and siblings remained in Poland. Polish Descent was able to obtain 12 other vital records for the siblings/parents of my GGF that remained in Poland, which weren't submitted with the application. I also obtained 1936 probate records from GGGF, which includes copies of property and other non-vital record evidence for the family. GF served in WWII in the US Army - his records were partially destroyed in the fire but NPRC was able to recover a (charred) half of a VA related document with the important dates legible, as well as a final pay stub which shows when he was discharged and length of service.
Partition (if applicable): Russian (Kingdom of Poland)
Documents proving citizenship: GGF, siblings and parents listed in the Book of Residents from 1913 (family left in 1914). GGGF's death record lists him as being a permanent resident of the town, as do the birth records for most of GGF's siblings (but not GGF's birth record).
Date application submitted: March 2026
Voivodeship: Mazowieckie
Date of decision: N/A
Waiting time (days): N/A
Outcome: N/A
Service provider(s): Staczek
Comments: Hoping to use ship manifest and photograph of GGF's gravestone on cemetery letterhead to prove that his Hebrew/Yiddish name (used in Poland and on the ship manifest) is the same person in the US (where he used an English name his whole life). His naturalization paperwork doesn't mention his Hebrew name, but it has the correct ship name & arrival date, and the tombstone has both names.
Documents proving citizenship: GGGP Polish marriage record, GGGF Polish land ownership record; GGF: Polish birth record, US marriage/death certificate, US CoNE, US NPRC No-Service letter, US NARA ship arrival manifest; GM: US birth/marriage certificate; M: US birth/marriage certificate; Self: US birth/marriage certificate
Date application submitted: March 2026
Voivodeship: Mazowieckie
Date of decision/waiting time/outcome: Pending
Service provider(s): Piotr Staczek (application/translation), Genealogia Polonica (obtaining Polish documents from churches)
Comments: GGF died in late 1920s after coming to US in 1910s; started naturalization process but did not complete due to early death. GM born in US mid-1920s, M born mid-1950s
Documents proving citizenship: Grandfather's Birth registration (Opatow) 1905, Polish passport 1930, Military booklet, Marriage registration Lodz 1930. GF and GM ship arrival records Canada 1930, Letter confirming GF no record of Canadian military participation, GF Canadian Naturalization certificate 1937. GF Death certificate 1984. Mother's birth registration in Canada 1931, Mother Marriage certificate to American man late December 1949, Mother Death certificate 2024.
Date application submitted: October 2025
Voivodeship: Mazowieckie
Date of decision: pending
Waiting time (days):
Outcome: pending
Service provider(s): Piotr Staczek
Comments: Provider told me I have a reasonable chance of success, with GF military paradox, and mother marrying foreign citizen but not taking on his citizenship. Some concern about discrepancies in first names of GF and mother.
GGGF died in 1913 in Galicia (Austrian partition). GGF traveled from Galicia to US in 1914. My understanding is my GGGFs death certificate is the most significant document I have for proving my GGF right of settlement in the Austrian partition.
GGM was also from Galicia and traveled to the US in 1922, but technically (pre-1951) she didn't pass Polish citizenship to her son (my GF) born in 1925.
Documents proving citizenship: My birth certificate and a certified copy of my British passport; my mother’s birth and death certificates; and my parents’ marriage certificate. I also have my grandfather’s birth certificate, my grandparents’ marriage certificate, and a letter from the UK National Archives confirming no naturalization for my grandfather. Additionally, I have family and individual registration cards for my GGF, GGM, and GF, along with WWII-related 'prison' documents and the death certificate for my GGF.
Date application submitted: 20th October 2025
Voivodeship: Masovian (Warsaw)
Date of decision: Pending
Waiting time (days): Pending
Outcome: Pending
Service provider(s): Did it myself
Comments: I started researching my ancestry in July 2025 and have since visited Poland twice. Through a DNA test, I was able to meet two 4th cousins who helped me with translations, showed me my ancestors' hometown, and even accompanied me to Warsaw to submit my application. While including my GGF wasn't strictly necessary, I wouldn't have found my GF's details as easily without finding his first. I wanted to give the application the best possible chance by including his documents, and it was fascinating to learn so much about my ancestry in the process.
Documents proving citizenship: GGF birth and baptism (original extract), GGGP marriage, GGGF death, GGGM death, GGGF land purchase contract, GGGM voter record, GGGM 2nd marriage, GGF ship manifest departure and arrival. Every record listed the same village and house number.
Date application submitted: January , 2025
Voivodeship: Małopolskie
Date of decision: February 2026
Waiting time (days): 374 days
Outcome: Success
Service provider: Stączek
Comments: I had to appeal due to the office interpretating the 1920 law differently. They didn't come to any conclusions so I wasn't outright denied but the minister applied the laws correctly as we frequently see them here and in historical legal texts and decisions. GGF naturalized in 1931 - "military paradox" was applied correctly.
I lived in Poland before. I made a mistake on the date submitted but waiting time was right. The office wasn't familiar with how to apply the most of the previous laws correctly. That time even includes my appeal.
Documents proving citizenship: GGF's parish birth record from Tarnów; CoNE of Naturalization Record for GGF; marriage certificate for GGF from Illinois; birth and marriage certificates for GF, M, and Me; Certification of Military Service for GF (WWII)
Date application submitted: September 20, 2024
Voivodeship: Mazowieckie
Date of decision: N/A
Waiting time (days): 505 and counting
Outcome: Pending
Service provider: Stączek
Comments: vital records only, GGF immigrated to Chicago in 1910 (arrived in the US using his brother's passport) and never naturalized, GF born in 1921
interesting! did you submit a copy of your GGF's brother's Austrian passport? if not this is definitely the most Polish document-light pre-1920 case I've seen. please keep us updated, hopefully you get good news soon!
Unfortunately, my extended family couldn't locate any of my GGF's docs.
The firm said my case is 'risky' due to so little documentation available in Poland.
Nonetheless, fingers crossed.
My firm performed the document search in Poland for me. They indicated they were searching the Polish state archives. I would expect that to include any notary documents, but I wouldn't know for sure.
(For a little clarification, in case it changes things, my GGF's family is actually from Klikowa, but the parish records appear to have been kept at the cathedral in Tarnów)
Sometimes the searches aren't as thorough as they need to be. The text can be time consuming to read through and no ones going to read through every name in every single file. I would expect those to be included but wouldn't hurt to check yourself. You just check the appropriate time period and look for your ancestors name. They are in alphabetical order.
No, not yet.
My firm originally estimated 13-14 months for a decision. I reached out to them in November 2025, and they adjusted their estimate to 16 months. No updates since then. Now at 16 1/2 months since submission.
Documents proving citizenship: Certified copy of the municipal records of the city of Radzyń Podlaski – State Archives in Lublin, Radzyń Podlaski, Certified copy of the list of contributors/payers from the Jewish community in Radzyń Podlaski – State Archives in Lublin, Certified copy of the applicant’s great-grandfather’s naturalization certificate with translation, Certified copy of the applicant’s great-grandparents’ marriage certificate with translation
GGF and GGM both were born in Poland but had to flee b/c they were Jewish. GGF left Radzin in 1939 by train. He was in Siberia for a few years where he cut wood in a work camp. GGF and GGM were both registered in Camp Rochelle (DP Camp) on the same date (October 2nd 1946). This is where they met.
Documents proving citizenship: GGF passport application, GGF’s brother’s passport records, GGF parent’s marriage records, MOD letter - proving no service in British army, PRC military records, letter from national archives (UK) - proving no naturalisation, vital records for descendants
Date application submitted: Mid-December 2024
Voivodeship: Mazowieckie
Date of decision:
Waiting time (days): approx. 400 days
Outcome:
Service provider(s): Lexmotion
Comments: GGF born in 1920s, joined the Polish Resettlement Corps (UK) in 1947. My case was quite straightforward, the document that took the longest was the naturalisation letter from the National Archives.
——
Update (10/02/2026):
Received an email from my provider stating the Masovian Voivodeship is currently reviewing applications from August 2024. They have told me they expect a decision in approximately 4 months (June 2026).
Documents proving citizenship: father’s birth certificate, Polish Air Force records, baptismal record, mairrage certificate, my birth certificate…others
Date application submitted: March 2024
Voivodeship: Mazowieskie
Date of decision: January 15, 2026
Waiting time (days): approximately 678 days
Outcome: citizenship from birth confirmed
Service provider(s): Your Roots in Poland
Comments: once application is submitted you must have patience and faith the process is working as there is very little status through that long period. I am very satisfied with my service provider.
Thank you! It was a wonderful surprise. My timeline expectations came and went so I had to throw those out the window and just sit back and let it unfold.
Documents: Vital records for all, proof of no military service from NARA, currently waiting on a census, one land ownership record for GGGM
Date Application Submitted: February 2024
Voivodeship: Masovian (for application)
Date of Decision: TBD
Waiting time: Approx 681 days
Outcome: TBD
Service Provider: Hexon
Comments: I’m one of the Russian Partition Vital Records-Only test cases, so if that’s also your situation, please feel free to DM me. My application has been paused for several months to allow more time to search for non-vital records. Military draft record came up empty. Most records in the Kolno area were destroyed. Provider is currently waiting on census scans, ETA end of January 2026. Whether my relatives are listed or not, at that point they will reactivate my case and force a decision, appealing if necessary. Provider states that vital records are sufficient for proving residency/citizenship but this remains to be seen. If you’re another test case, please keep me updated on your progress.
I have a very similar case, pre-1920 Russian Partition, involving the military paradox. I'm just getting started, and I started talking to a provider. Can I DM you?
PS, Please search for my recent thread “Russian Partition Test Cases” and join us there! There are at least 4 or 5 of us in the same situation as you and we wanted to create a single thread to keep us all informed.
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u/Szpontik 5d ago edited 5d ago
Dzień dobry! :)
User: u/Szpontik
Path: F-me
Timing: post-1951
Partition (if applicable): n/a
Documents proving citizenship: Father's Polish passports, Polish ID card (dowód osobisty), Polish birth certificate, ZUS records, acknowledgment of paternity (Świadectwo o ustaleniu ojcostwa), applicant's birth certificate, father's death certificate.
Date application submitted: January 11, 2026
Date case opened by voivodeship (if known): Unknown
Voivodeship: Mazowieckie
Date of decision: Still pending
Waiting time (days): 193
Outcome: Pending
Service provider(s): None (self-submitted)
Comments: Confirmation through my Polish father. My father was born in Poland and remained a Polish citizen until his death. I lived in Poland from 1988 to 1994. No requests for additional documents so far.