Help! confirmation of polish citizenship with name change

citizenshiphelp

Nov 17, 11, 04:35 #1

Hi,

I am hoping to apply for Polish citizenship through my mother, as she emigrated to the US from Poland when she was young. I met with the consulate this week (they were very helpful) and was told that all my documentation was order and confirmation would be no problem. HOWEVER, I was told that when applying for my Polish birth certificate, and then my passport, would be rejected because Poland is very strict and my mom's name change would not fly. Her birth certificate contains her Polish name (the exact name) she was born with. However, all American documentation contains an anglicized version of her name. Thus, her name on my birth certificate does not match her name on her own birth certificate. Apparently, a translated name (like New York to Nueva York in spanish) is not acceptable. Has anyone else encountered this problem/found a solution? The consulate suggested that my mom confirm her citizenship, obtain a passport, and legally change her name in the Polish system but really delay everything and is something I'm hoping to avoid, as my mother isn't too keen on going through all that effort.

♂

Nov 18, 11, 08:23 #2

The problem was created when she anglicised her name. I don't think she was forced to do it, as I don't even imagine someone forced you to misspell your own name. Unfortunately now in your situation the advice you got from the consulate seems like the last option. It's not about strictness in Poland (which is not the case I say) - it's more about exactness which in this case comes down to your name and kinship with your mother. If she bears a different name than in the cert. then it has to be verified and confirmed somehow.

mafketisThreads: 17 Posts: 1,880 Joined: Mar 31, 08 ♂	Edited by: mafketis Nov 18, 11, 08:50 #3
Did she legally change her name? If so, there should be paperwork somewhere. If she didn't officially change her name then why is she using a pseudonym in the US? The US isn't so anal as Poland about official identification papers but if she has a drivers license (for example) then it would have to be in her legal name.

MikeWroclaw

Nov 18, 11, 10:32 #4

LOL: It's not about strictness in Poland (which is not the case I say) - it's more about exactness... Ha, ha, ha...

Good to hear that you are trying to get a Polish citizenship, but you just entering in the world of 'exactness'...
From now, every little thing in relation to Poland will be about exactness.

Poland should be on the Top of the World with her 'exactness' citizens. The first time you get there you will see how exact Polish people are...
Good Luck! :-)

♂

Nov 22, 11, 09:46 #5

MikeWroclaw
Well, the name spelled differently in two documents is a different name, to be exact.
Do you expect that a legal authority said: oh, well, that's probably your son because your name looks similar to his, so let's just make it easier and let's not check it at all. That will be more customer oriented.

If you cannot provide documents to proove something then it's not someone elses fault. I don't know about your experiences Mike, but the formalities are not that difficult to do.

theKNOWLEDGE

Nov 22, 11, 13:44 #6

[

mafketis:

Did she legally change her name? If so, there should be paperwork somewhere.

It wouldn't be valid in Poland regardless - she'd have to have changed it with the USC through the proper channels.

citizenshiphelp:

The consulate suggested that my mom confirm her citizenship, obtain a passport, and legally change her name in the Polish system but really delay everything and is something I'm hoping to avoid, as my mother isn't too keen on going through all that effort.

That's the only way forward - if she's not keen, then no citizenship for you.

At the end of the day, in Polish eyes, the documents must add up. Quite sensible, I'd say - especially where non-EU citizens are concerned.

Ididit

Feb 28, 12, 14:37 #7

Hi,
I have a very similar story. My father name was translated into Italian when he entered the country (Italy). He was a kid at that time and no legal procedure as been done at the time. (!!!!) The Officer just asked him what his given named meaned and put the traslation on his documents. ( in Poland they will care about your mother Polish birth certificate where there are other data that are identical with your mother identity: names of her parents, date and place of birth..)

Nevertheless, I was able to confirm his citizenship, mine and my brother. I registered my brother and my birth certificates, plus my parents wedding certificate in Poland. Now I am asking for the PESEL, as I received my birth certificate and all the other docs yesterday.

My father has to change legally his given name in Poland but this does not effect my (or my brother) documents. So I will be able to have my passport in a month.
I am not even sure my father will go thro the whole process as I am not sure he wants the documents himself...so I wish you all the best and don't think it is so difficult maybe a little bit slow...

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