Polish Citizen, US legal resident, but no Polish Passport...

henryson - | 17

26 Nov 2010 / #61

Curious. If you were a member of Solidarity, then you were in Poland in 1980 at the earliest. Everyone was issued a PESEL in 1979 or so, so the internet says.

Not True. There were no PESEL numbers in 1980 or 1981 for that matter.
You can receive a PESEL if you were born in Poland. If you were born outside of Poland (but claim polish citizenship) you must first place your foreign, translated birth certificate in Poland. Usually Warsaw or birthplace of your parents.

delphiandomine 86 | 17823

26 Nov 2010 / #62

Not True. There were no PESEL numbers in 1980 or 1981 for that matter.

Oh yes there was. The PESEL system was introduced in the mid 70's as I recall.

Olaf 6 | 955

26 Nov 2010 / #63

You really don't need to go 6 times, only if you forget documents that are required:). Anyway, contact the nearest Polish consulate and ask them. Most probably they'll tell you but if not, I advise that you undergo a simple procedure of verification of Polish citizenship. Gather all documents like your birth cert. and confirmation that e.g. at least one of your parents had Polish citizenship. The procedure isn't expensive but takes time as several gov. offices have to verify the information in all the places you and your parents have their documents, e.g. home towns, birth certs etc. In about two months you will receive a confirmation - hopefully, if you meet the requirements - that you are a Polish citizen. With this, you can apply for your passport.

henryson - | 17

27 Nov 2010 / #64

Oh yes there was. The PESEL system was introduced in the mid 70's as I recall.

It was introduced in 1979 but not implemented nationwide until later. I lived in Poland until late1981 and was never given one nor was required to have one. Perhaps it became mandatory after the Martial Law.

joepilsudski 26 | 1387

25 Nov 2011 / #65

Unfortunately, my calls/emails to the Polish Consulate in Chicago have gone unanswered. Any help helps...

Go there in person...Most emails go in trash bin.

If you live too far away, call, or speak to a Polish cultural group who may help, or organization like PNA.

Jania

6 Aug 2014 / #66

I am a US born citizen, of Polish parents, both maternal and paternal, who also were born in the US. Both sets of my grandparents were born in Poland and immigrated when they were children. I was told, because I can prove that I am of Polish blood line, from both parents, that I might be eligible to apply and obtain a Polish passport. I would then carry both my US citizen and Polish passport. Is this possible?

Harry

6 Aug 2014 / #67

I was told, because I can prove that I am of Polish blood line, from both parents, that I might be eligible to apply and obtain a Polish passport.

You might well be, provided that your grandparents (and parents) didn't take US citizenship before 1968.

I would then carry both my US citizen and Polish passport. Is this possible?

Yes.