Consul's Certificate for Transport of a Body
The second Polish document needed to bring the deceased home from abroad. It is issued by the Polish consul in the country of death.
What it is
The certificate from the Polish consul confirms that the body or ashes may be brought to Poland (Article 14(4)(2) of the Act on Cemeteries and Burial of the Dead). The consul issues it only after the starosta's permit (the permit from the district head) has been presented.
Documents
According to the Regulation of the Minister of Health of 27.12.2007, the application is accompanied by the starosta's permit and by the death certificate or another official document confirming the death. Consulates in individual countries may require additional documents from the country of death, for example a passport for the body, a cremation certificate or a certificate for the coffin. We give the details on the country pages.
Deadline and fee
The consul issues the certificate no later than 3 days after the application is submitted (Article 14(5) of the Act on Cemeteries and Burial of the Dead). A consular fee is charged; its amount depends on the post and the currency of the country.
Frequently asked questions
Is transcription of the death certificate needed for the consul's certificate?
No. According to the Polish consulates in Germany and the USA, transcription is not a condition for issuing the certificate.
Does the Polish consul issue the laissez-passer?
No. A passport for the body (laissez-passer) is a document of the country from which the body is taken out. The Polish consul issues a certificate for bringing the body to Poland.