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Chance for citizenship of Poland; my great grandmother born in 1898 - confirmation, granting by the President?


kwr66  1 | 4  
7 Oct 2013 /  #1
Hey guys,

First post. I made sure to search keywords I'm looking for first, if there is already a thread concerning this please let me know.

My great grandmother was Polish, born in Czestochowa in 1898. I'm already in contact with Polaron concerning my confirmation as a Polish citizen. Seeing how the national archives are closed up, it kind of inhibits the search process, so I've been researching Polish citizenship law instead.

I stumbled across this article just recently:
Under section D, it says (ways of acquiring citizenship): d) by granting Polish citizenship by the President of the Republic of Poland

"Pursuant to Article 18 of the Act, the President of the Republic of Poland can grant a foreigner, at his/her request, Polish citizenship. No conditions limit the constitutional competence of the Republic of Poland; the President can grant Polish citizenship to any foreigner. Granting Polish citizenship to both parents applies to children under their custody. Granting Polish citizenship to one of the parents, applies to a minor under his/her parental custody, in the event that the other parent has no parental custody, or he/she has given consent that the minor acquires Polish citizenship. [...]"

msw.gov.pl/en/documents/ways-of-acquiring-poli/793,Ways-of-acquiring-Polish-citizenship.html

After much research and many questions answered by Polaron, the only thing that could jeopardize my confirmation as a polish citizen is if my great grandmother was officially married or naturalized, and there is no documentation of either right now. That's why with the Archives being shut down at the moment, research has come to a halt.

My question is, say she was married or naturalized. There goes my chances for confirmation. But what about petitioning the President of the Republic of Poland for citizenship? Traditionally, I understand this is meant for foreigners who have lived in Poland for 5 years. ( http)://polish-law.strefa.pl/citizenship.html)

I've never lived or even been to Poland, but my grandmother grew up speaking polish and my mother also grew up speaking polish. I also speak some polish myself. Polish recipes and traditions have always been in my family as well. However,

No conditions limit the constitutional competence of the Republic of Poland; the President can grant Polish citizenship to any foreigner.

My great-grandmothers birth certificate is coming in the mail, as I just ordered it from the Czestochowa Archives. Would this document, my polish ancestry, and my circumstances warrant being granted citizenship by the president?

Thanks in advance, and again, if it's in the wrong section or there's a duplicate thread, shout out.

Cheers, Kenny
delphiandomine  86 | 17823  
7 Oct 2013 /  #2
Would this document, my polish ancestry, and my circumstances warrant being granted citizenship by the president?

Essentially, no.

The Presidential route is only for those who are of exceptional service to Poland - for instance, a 19 year old wonderkid at football. It isn't for people who think that they deserve Polish citizenship based on an ancestor - such people would be denied as there's nothing exceptional about their application.

My great grandmother was Polish, born in Czestochowa in 1898.

She may have been ethnically Polish, but in terms of citizenship, she would have had Russian citizenship at the time of birth. Poland didn't exist until 1918, and the concept of Polish citizenship, not until 1920. If she emigrated before 1920, then she would never have obtained Polish citizenship.

I also speak some polish myself. Polish recipes and traditions have always been in my family as well.

Simply put, this is not going to be enough. If you had been active for years in Polonia organisations and spoke fluent Polish, then you may have had a chance - but speaking "some" Polish and knowing a few recipes and traditions will not be enough. As I said above, Polish citizenship is granted to those who have performed / can perform exceptional service for Poland.

Don't even bother with going via the President - rejection is almost certain in this case. You simply don't have the ties to Poland that they are looking for.
DominicB  - | 2706  
7 Oct 2013 /  #3
Would this document, my polish ancestry, and my circumstances warrant being granted citizenship by the president?

Not at all. As delphiandomine said, the president gives cititzenship to a very limited number of foreigners for exceptional achievement, and generally, only to those who have lived a substantial number of years in the country.

Having said that, there is little, if any, reason for you as an Australian citizen to get Polish citizenship. Having permanent residency status is, for all practical purposes, the same as citizenship. The only real difference is the right to vote. My advice is to save your time and money, and just stick with residency.
WBKania  
6 Sep 2015 /  #4
Granparents (all four) were born in Poland in the late 19th century. Am I eligible for Polish citizenship?
delphiandomine  86 | 17823  
6 Sep 2015 /  #5
They weren't born in Poland for a start, so no.
unuser_lol  
17 Apr 2017 /  #6
Merged:

Granting Polish citizenship by the President



Hello, I am a quarter polish (I have a grandfather who lived in warszawa before WW2)

As long I have enough documents which proves my grandfather was a citizenship of poland, what chances I can have a polish passport bygranting polish citizenship from the president?

1) Does buying a house in Warszawa will increase my chances for approval?

2) by having a knowledge in the polish language (to the level of b2) will increase my chances?

3) by applying for visa student or visa work, will increase my chances?

4) by marriage to polish citizen, will increase my chances?

5) P.S I have no criminal record. Is it an advantage?

I can't ask a lawyer, I tried to but they told me they can't question these answers. They just can help me to write the letter.

But they can't tell me if it is necessary to know polish or to stay in poland while the request for the polish passport...

Hope you can help me.
Thanks in advance.
delphiandomine  86 | 17823  
17 Apr 2017 /  #7
OK - this is specifically about applying for citizenship through the President.

1. Yes. You should own the property for a while and live there, making sure that all the property taxes are paid and that you have your registered address there.

2. Absolutely. B2 is good, and shows that you care enough about the language.

3. -Yes. Student visas perhaps not so much, but a work visa (or better, a residence permit) will help you considerably.

4 - Yes, but it should be for a good period of time. It will also help if there are kids.

5 - There's no guarantee of success, but all of these things can help you. Having a good connection to the ruling party in Poland (such as being a member of their youth wing) will help you considerably too.
unuser_lol  
17 Apr 2017 /  #8
Delphiandomine, thank you very much for your answer!!

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