Polish Document Apostille in the U.S. — 2026 Guide

Poland and the United States are both parties to the Hague Apostille Convention. A U.S. public document used in Poland needs an apostille from the Secretary of State of the issuing state, and a translation into Polish whose accuracy is certified either by a sworn translator or by the consul.

Quick facts

That second option is unusual and useful: Polish consuls can themselves certify that a translation is accurate, which saves finding a sworn translator registered in Poland.

Fees breakdown

For civil status transcription, an apostille may be required on a parent’s foreign birth certificate as well, so check the whole chain before ordering anything.

How to prepare a document for Poland

1. Order a certified copy from the issuing office rather than using a photocopy.
2. Notarise private documents first, since the apostille certifies the notary’s signature.
3. File with the Secretary of State of the issuing state, or the U.S. Department of State for federal records.
4. Have the translation made by a sworn translator, or bring it to the consul for certification.
5. Keep the original, the apostille and the translation together.

Required documents

• Original certified copy with signature and seal.
• Completed state authentication request and payment.
• Prepaid return envelope for mail filings.
• Photo ID for in-person service.

What consulates do instead

They transcribe foreign civil records into the Polish register, certify translations and copies, take passport applications, forward citizenship confirmation files and perform notarial acts.

Additional notes

Polish documents going the other way

Polish public documents are apostilled by the foreign ministry in Warsaw, and notarial documents through the route that applies to them.

Diacritics

American records omit Polish diacritical marks. At transcription you can ask for the spelling to be adapted to Polish rules, which avoids a lifetime of mismatched documents.

Plan the chain

Transcription, citizenship confirmation and the passport each depend on the one before. Ordering documents in the wrong sequence is the usual cause of delay.

Order two copies

Polish offices keep what they receive. A spare apostilled original saves repeating the process.