Does my child get Polish citizenship if born in Poland?

Not automatically. Poland follows jus sanguinis (right of blood). A child born on Polish soil to foreign parents takes the parents' citizenship. Polish citizenship applies only if at least one parent is a Polish citizen.

How soon must I register the birth?

The birth must be reported to the USC within 14 days of the birth, though in practice most hospitals notify the office automatically when both parents are present and have PESEL numbers.

Can I give my child a name from my own culture?

Yes. Poland allows foreign-origin names, though the USC may ask for a transliteration or spelling confirmation. The name must not be offensive or ridiculous under Polish law.

Registering a Child Born in Poland

How to register a birth, get a PESEL for a newborn, and which documents foreign parents need at the Urząd Stanu Cywilnego.

Where to register

A birth is registered at the Urząd Stanu Cywilnego (USC — Civil Registry Office) that covers the hospital's location. In large cities, the hospital itself may send the birth notification electronically if both parents have PESEL numbers and are married.

Documents to bring

Parents' passports or national IDs (original + copy).
Hospital birth confirmation (karta urodzenia) issued by the maternity ward.
Parents' marriage certificate (if married) — a Polish one or a foreign one with apostille and sworn translation.
If parents are not married: a sworn declaration of paternity (uznanie ojcostwa) signed at the USC or before a notary.
Proof of address (zameldowanie) or residence card if available.

Getting a PESEL for the newborn

The USC assigns a PESEL to the child automatically when the birth is registered. If for any reason the PESEL is not issued at the same time, you can apply at the municipal office (urząd gminy) with the birth certificate.

Foreign parents — citizenship of the child

A child born in Poland to foreign parents does not automatically receive Polish citizenship (Poland follows jus sanguinis). The child takes the citizenship of the parents. Contact your embassy or consulate in Poland to register the birth with your home country and obtain a passport for the newborn.

Multilingual birth certificate

If you need the birth certificate for use abroad, you can request a multilingual extract (odpis wielojęzyczny) from the USC. This is accepted in all Hague Convention countries without further legalisation.

Practical tips

If the mother is unmarried and the father does not acknowledge paternity, the USC records the child under the mother's surname with an unknown father record.
Bring a Polish-speaking friend or interpreter if you are not confident in Polish — the forms and process are conducted in Polish.
Keep multiple certified copies of the birth certificate; you will need them for passport applications, insurance, and nursery/school enrolment.

This article is informational and not legal advice. Always confirm with the relevant authority.