Polish consuls perform notarial functions for documents destined for Poland: certifying signatures, certifying copies and, in defined cases, drawing up notarial instruments. The everyday use is a power of attorney for a relative or lawyer in Poland to act in an inheritance, a property matter or a court case.
Quick facts
What form the document needs depends on the transaction. Selling real property in Poland requires a notarial deed, and a power used for that purpose has to be in the form Polish law demands, which the notary there will specify.
Fees breakdown
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Signature certification on a power of attorney | Consular tariff | Per signature |
| Certified copies | Consular tariff | Per document |
| Certification of a translation | Consular tariff | Where the consul provides it |
| Notary’s fees in Poland | Statutory scale | For the transaction itself |
| Courier to Poland | Carrier’s charge | The original must travel |
Payment follows the same rules as the rest of the network: cash, money order, cashier’s check or card, never a personal check.
How to apply
- Ask the notary or lawyer in Poland for the wording and for the form the act must take.
- Bring the document printed and unsigned.
- Book the appointment through the consular system for the notarial service.
- Attend with a valid Polish passport or identity card and sign before the consul.
- Pay the tariff by an accepted method.
- Courier the original to Poland, keeping a copy and the tracking record.
Required documents
- Valid Polish passport or identity card for every grantor.
- The unsigned document, complete, with no blank fields.
- Full name and identification number of the person receiving the power.
- Land register references, case numbers or estate details.
- Civil status documents where the act depends on them.
- Payment in an accepted form.
Where to apply
At the consulate covering your address. Notarial appointments are limited, so book as soon as the draft arrives from Poland.
Consulate Of Poland Honorary
View details →DetroitConsulate of the Republic of Poland in Detroit
View details →HonoluluHonorary Consulate of Poland in Honolulu
View details →HoustonConsulate General of the Republic of Poland in Houston
View details →Las VegasConsulate of Poland in Las Vegas
View details →Los AngelesConsulate General of the Republic of Poland
View details →New YorkConsulate General of the Republic of Poland
View details →North Bay VillageConsulate General of Poland
View details →WashingtonEmbassy of the Republic of Poland
View details →WashingtonConsulate of Poland
View details →Additional notes
Inheritance deadlines
Polish inheritance law sets deadlines for accepting or renouncing an estate. Those dates do not move for appointment availability, so start early.
Be specific
Polish registries and courts reject vague powers. Name the property, the case and the acts authorised.
Non-citizens
Someone who is not a Polish citizen normally signs before a U.S. notary and has the document apostilled and translated instead.
Revocation
Revoking a power requires a further document executed the same way, with notice to the notary or court holding the file.