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Biometric passports were introduced on 28 August 2006.
The introduction of electronic security features into passports such as a chip with encoded data of the passport’s holder is a vital modification.Other than fulfill the obligations of the EU membership, the introduction of the new passport template, will primarily facilitate the reduction of material losses as a result of crime of identity theft or document forgery. This document also raises Poland’s prestige internationally as it is one of the most modern documents in the world.
Issuing passports with biometric features requires both technical and organizational changes. All offices accepting applications and centres releasing personalized documents should be furnished with new IT equipment and appropriate software. Due to limited funds for the introduction of biometrics, it is impossible for the State Treasury to finance the equipment for passport issuing centres, which issue at least several hundred passports annually. Consequently, voivodes had to select the optimum locations for passport centres, so that all citizens are able to obtain their passports within the statutory time limit. Simultaneously, it was necessary to ensure security of the system. All employees of such centres are obliged to meet the legal requirements regarding personal data protection, i.e. obtain proper security clearances.
Below please find the most relevant passport information. We kindly invite you to use our PASSPORT INFORMATION PORTAL.
Introducing biometric passports, the Ministry of Interior and Administration was provided with financial EU support within the SCHENGEN FUND for one of the biometric passport projects, i.e.biometric passport for Polish citizens and Polish biometric documents for foreigners.
THE MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Non-biometric passports issued earlier shall remain valid until their expiration date.
Passports and temporary passports are issued and modified in Poland by a voivode locally competent for the permanent place of residence of a person applying for the passport, and abroad by a Polish consul.
By consent of the minister of interior, a passport and temporary passport may be issued by a office other than the locally competent one.
- It is valid:
- for 10 years from the date of issue
- for 5 years in the case of children aged 5-13
- for 1 year (a temporary passport) for children under 5 - On parents request, children under 5 may be issued a passport for 5 years.
- Passport expiration does not deprive its holder of the right to return to the Republic of Poland on the basis of this document
- The Minister of Interior exerts supervision over passport and temporary passport procedures.
- In the case when a passport holder declares false Polish citizenship, a passport authority issues a decision to invalidate their passport
- An appeal against the decision on passport matters may be lodged with the Minister of Interior and Administration
A temporary passport is issued:
- to children under 5
- to Polish citizens staying abroad who lost their passport and are waiting for a 10-year passport or are obliged to return to the country
- in emergency situations, such as a disease ,funeral of a family member or an urgent need to go abroad
Temporary passports are issued by a voivode.
They are valid for 12 months from the date of issue or for a period specified in the passport by the passport authority.
No biometric features are contained in temporary passports.
Which documents need be submitted to obtain a passport?
To obtain the passport, the following documents are required:
- filled in passport application
- two identical photographs according to the requirements laid down in the legislation
- an abbreviated or unabbreviated copy of birth certificate in the case of the first passport application
- an abbreviated copy of a marriage certificate if the applicant got married abroad
- a receipt of payment of the passport fee
The passport application must be submitted and collected in person by the holder, following the verification of the data contained in the microprocessor.
How to obtain a passport abroad?
To obtain a Polish passport abroad, it is necessary to visit the Polish consulate and submit the same documents as required in Poland. Should there be any doubt as to the applicant’s Polish citizenship, they are required to submit a document certifying their Polish citizenship or, apply for it via the consulate at the competent Polish Office.
If the applicant has no PESEL number (Polish identification number), the consul submits an application for assignation.
How to obtain a passport for a child?
Information on children must not be included in new biometric passports or temporary passports. On behalf of a minor, both parents submit a passport application, unless pursuant to a court decision one of the parents has been deprived of parental authority or their authority has been restricted.
If there is no consensus between the parents or inability to obtain consent of one parent, a child passport may be issued on the basis of a family court decision.. The application submitted by one parent along with a written consent of the other, accepted by the passport authority or a notary, is regarded as submitted by both parents.
A minor passport may be issued abroad by consent of one parent, providing it is in the best interests of the child, particularly, when it is impossible to obtain a consent of the other parent.
What is the cost of issuing a passport?
Paszport fees are as follows:
- 140 PLN for a 10-year passport
- 30 PLN for a passport for a child who, on the day of submitting application, was under 7
- 60 PLN for a passport for children aged 7 to 13
- 30 PLN for a temporary child passport
- 45 PLN for a temporary passport
The following persons are exempt from the passport fee:
- persons over 70
- persons living in social welfare centres or care centres or benefiting from social assistance and receiving a permanent allowance, if they travel abroad to receive a long-term therapy or undergo surgery
- persons who applied for passport replacement due to its technical default
- soldiers sent to serve abroad, excluding professional soldiers
The following persons are entitled to a 50% passport fee allowance:
- pensioners, disabled persons exclusively dependent on their spouses,
- persons living in social welfare centres or care centres or benefiting of social assistance and receiving a permanent allowance
- combatants and other victims of war and post-war repressions
- minors and students
A discounted passport fee applies to:
- a change of surname, name or other data included in the passport
- a change of physical appearance of the passport holder, which may hinder their identification
- the lack of free space for visas and stamps confirming passing the border in the current valid passport
A double fee is collected when:
- the previous passport has been lost or destroyed for reasons attributable to owner thereof
Fees for passports issued abroad vary and are specified in the Ordinance of the Minister of Foreign Affairs on consular fees.
How long does it take to get a passport?
The time for passport issue is specified by the authority issuing the passport. An average waiting time for the document issued in the country does not exceed 30 days.
Passport documents during their validity period shall remain a property of the Republic of Poland.