Repatriation from Gabon to Poland

Gabon falls within the Luanda embassy's district

Gabon is handled by the Polish Embassy in Luanda (Rua Damiao de Gois 64), whose district also covers Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of the Congo, the Central African Republic and Sao Tome and Principe. The date of a visit is set by email or phone, and documents can be submitted in person or by post. If the consul refuses, he issues a decision, against which a complaint can be lodged with the Minister of Foreign Affairs within 7 days, through the consul. The certificate is collected in person or sent by post.

This embassy's instructions list, among other things, a legalised death certificate, a medical certificate ruling out an infectious disease as the cause of death, the local authorities' permit to export the body and a sanitary certificate for a suitable coffin. For ashes, a cremation certificate and a certificate of a closed container are added. Which of these documents apply in Gabon, we establish in your case. We confirm the detailed requirements of this country's authorities on enquiry in your case.

Poland has never had a diplomatic mission in Libreville. Diplomatic relations were established in 1976, and until the end of 2008 Gabon was handled by Polish ambassadors resident in Kinshasa. After that embassy closed, responsibility passed to the Polish Embassy in Luanda, where the ambassador accredited to Gabon is still based. In practice the family has no Polish office in Gabon to go to with documents, and the application for the certificate to bring a body to Poland goes to Luanda. A death certificate from Gabon needs legalisation, because the country does not use the apostille. We take over the whole process: we collect documents in Gabon, arrange the appointment in Luanda, submit the application and organise air transport to Poland. We confirm the requirements of the Gabonese authorities in your case.