Transcription of a Death Certificate from Abroad
How to transcribe a foreign death certificate into the Polish civil status register and when it is worth doing.
What transcription is
Transcription is the faithful transfer of the content of a foreign document into the Polish civil status register (Article 104 of the Act on Civil Status Records). The Act says that a foreign document may be transcribed. It is not a condition for bringing the body home or for issuing the consul's certificate.
Who applies and where
The application can be submitted by a person who shows a legal or factual interest in the transcription of the death certificate, for example a family member. It is submitted to a civil registry office in Poland of your choice, or through the consul, who forwards the application to the office. A sworn translation into Polish is attached to the foreign certificate if it is in a foreign language.
Why do it
A Polish death certificate makes later official matters easier, for example an inheritance case. We help you submit the application.
Frequently asked questions
Is transcription mandatory?
Not for a death certificate. The Act says that a foreign document may be transcribed into the register; it is needed only when you want to deal with matters that require a Polish certificate.
Can transcription be done through the consulate?
Yes. The consul forwards the application to a civil registry office in Poland of your choice; a consular fee is then charged.