Marriage with a Polish citizen: A civil ceremony

Marriage ceremony in Poland can be either religious or secular. We refer to secular ceremonies as civil ones. If you wish to have a civil wedding in Poland, you must visit the Civil Registry Office and comply with the formalities. How to prepare to marriage with a Polish citizen? What documents are required?

The most important thing is to submit a statement which confirms there are no objections to a proposed marriage and set a wedding date. What is important, the ceremony does not have to take place in the office. You may have wedding ceremony outdoors. If that is your wish, make sure the location allows conducting the ceremony in solemn form and in accordance with safety rules. Otherwise, the Head of the Civil Registry Office may refuse to officiate it.

Marriage with a Polish citizen: Who can enter them?

In Poland two people can get married, if they are:

• of legal age,
• not already married,
• not related by consanguinity in the direct line and not siblings,
• not related by affinity in the direct line,
• not related by adoption.

If either bride or groom is a foreigner the person ought to:

• submit a document proving that they are entitle to enter into marriage under the law of the country of origin (in cases when obtaining the document is very difficult or impossible, the court may waive the obligation to submit the document),
• prepare documents that allow the Head of the Civil Registry Office obtain data that must be entered in the marriage certificate (e.g.: certified copy of their birth certificate, certified copy of the marriage certificate stating that the person is no longer married or a document proving that the marriage is non-existent).

At this point, it is important to have all documents translated into Polish by a sworn translator or the Polish consul. Moreover, if at least one of you is unable to communicate with the Head of the Civil Registry Office (does not speak Polish) you are obliged to provide an interpreter or a certified translator. Although the number of requirements may overwhelm you at first, the whole process is not very complicated. As long as you obtain all required documents there should not be any bumps on your way. If you are not sure what documents are required, contact the Civil Registry Office of your choice. The employees will assess your situation and tell you what to do.

How to prepare to an actual ceremony?

Both civil and religious ceremonies require verification of the personal data of the bride and groom and their witnesses. For this reason you and your witnesses have to have following documents with you:

• ID cards or
• Passports.

During the ceremony you may also need an interpreter or a certified translator. This requirement refers to situation when bride or groom or one of their witnesses is unable to communicate with Head of the Civil Registry Office. After the marriage ceremony the Head of the Civil Registry Office draws up a marriage certificate. The certificate is issued with an abridged certified copy of the certificate.