Apostille for Polish documents without visiting an office

Does your submission need an apostille?

For a Polish document, we first check the destination country and category. Apostille is not required for every submission abroad.

1. 01

   Document and recipient

   We establish the issuing and destination countries, institution, category and document status. Being in Poland and using a document in Poland are different circumstances.

2. 02

   Another destination country

   We check any more favourable treaty and whether the Hague Convention applies between the two countries. If necessary, we consider consular legalisation.

3. 03

   Scope of certification

   Apostille certifies the signature, capacity and seal. It does not guarantee acceptance of contents, recognition of qualifications or enforcement of a judgment.

Which documents do you need to provide?

Start by sending photos of every page, stamp and attachment. Before you send the original, we will agree which version and authorisation are needed.

Before submitting your document, check when preliminary authentication is needed before an apostille: the extra step depends on the document and signature and does not apply automatically to every case.

1. 01

   USC and KRK: the required paper document

   We obtain the official document accepted by the authority. Printing an ePUAP file or electronic KRK does not create a paper original.

2. 02

   Diploma and supplement

   We check which documents NAWA or another education authority accepts. Arts universities and arts schools may follow different routes.

3. 03

   Copy or replacement

   If the original is lost, we first select an official replacement. For a notarised copy, we check whether the recipient accepts the notary's certification instead of the issuing authority's signature.

Should you translate the document before or after the apostille?

If the apostille certifies the original document, translation follows so that it includes both the document and the apostille. We explain whether to get an apostille before or after translation, and what to do if your translation is already complete.

1. 01

   Apostille on the original document

   If the original document is certified, the complete set is usually translated after apostille, so the recipient receives a translation of both the document and certification.

2. 02

   Notarised copy or translation

   Certifying a copy or a translator’s signature changes what the apostille authenticates. If the recipient requires the translation itself to be certified, we will check the procedure for a document translation apostille and whether that result meets the submission requirements.

3. 03

   Translation for the recipient

   For submission to a Polish institution, we will confirm whether you need a sworn translation of the document. Translation requirements for other countries are checked separately.

How can you check an issued apostille?

Before returning the documents, we check their details and the apostille. The verification method depends on the issuing authority.

Our guide explains how to verify an apostille.

1. 01

   Checking MSZ details

   We compare the number, date, signature, seal and document linked to the apostille. If in doubt, we contact the issuing authority.

2. 02

   Education-document result

   We check that the authority is competent for the diploma or school certificate. A NAWA apostille does not recognise qualifications abroad.

3. 03

   Integrity of the document set

   We check binding, supplements and translation of all required pages. We have not confirmed a universal public online verification service for every Polish apostille.

What if your document with an apostille is rejected?

Ask for the reason for rejection in writing. We will identify whether the document, apostille or translation needs correcting, or whether something is missing.

1. 01

   Apostille requested despite an exemption

   Ask for the requirement and its basis in writing. We check the treaty and document; one institution's requirement is not a nationwide rule.

2. 02

   Incorrect details or document format

   Send all pages, order details and a description of the error. We establish whether the original, certification or translation needs correction. Do not alter seals or document binding yourself.

3. 03

   Rejection relating to content

   An apostille does not resolve certificate validity, recognition of qualifications or enforcement of judgments. We examine the recipient's requirement and possible next steps.