Hi Cjh,

I am in a similar situation to you. I guess the question is are you submitting via a lawyer in Warsaw or through a consulate elsewhere? I am going through the process and I couriered the original documents to the lawyer in Poland who then translated (what was not in Polish) and 'certified' themselves a copy of them to submit. Lawyers in Poland are allowed to certify copies they make for submittal. They have submitted the copy and are keeping the originals in case the case worker asks to see originals.

I suppose if you do not want to send originals somewhere you should visit the consulate and get them to 'certify' the copies of the originals. They charge about $50 per copy so at the end of it there isn't much money saved when submitting it yourself vs. a lawyer... translations also costs a lot more in North America vs. Poland.

 

Ah. Are these documents critical to your case or are supporting information? Since they are German I do not think they will be documents to base the case on as Poland likely wants some Poland based proof. If they are supporting documents explain to your lawyer in Poland the situatuion and send scans of the documents (higher quality than photocopies). See what they can do. I would try to submit copies and let them ask for originals if it comes to that and it becomes critical. Make your uncle high quality copies and send them certified courier etc. if it comes to it.

So far for me additional supporting documents have not needed to be submitted in original - although I have original documents from Poland submitted to lawyer.

 

You are fortunate in getting copies of your grandfather's military records. When I enquired about the service records for my grandfather from the CAW, they claim they could not find the records.

 

Congrats on that bit of information. I do not know for sure but it certainly builds a case that he was in Poland during that time and was legally able to join the army. It doesnt hurt the case as well that he fought for the Polish army. It is also good that it is a Polish issued document as those have more weight than non-Polish ones. You said you had an attorney in Poland helping you - what does the attorney say about this? I think an experienced Polish citizenship attorney would know how useful the document is... You might want to ask another one and see if they are more help?

I recently received my confirmation of citizenship letter. Took three montns from submitting the application to receiving the letter with a letter asking more questions after two months. They did want to know where my relative had traveled to after leaving Poland and what documents they traveled on to reach North America - the documents you mention above that your uncle have may come in handy - they only asked for copies and not the original. I realized as well that in 1947 Poland as the second Polish republic did not exist and no countries honoured their passports to travel on as Poland then became the Peoples Republic of Poland. Old passports and documents still prove citizenship but folks leaving needed temp travel documents - most obtained in Germany - so that also help you I think.

 

Hi, sorry for the slow reply here - been a busy summer!

Yup it was three months approx. from submittal to the letter. Things have slowly been progressing all summer. So in mid June I received the letter. In mid-July I received the Polish birth certificates. In mid-August I received my PESEL #. The PESEL # now needs to be applied for before applying for a passport. Now just need to apply for the passport at the consulate.

As to your question about documents. I had some fairly certain documents as I had my grandparents short form original birth certificate as well as old 1940's Polish passport. Those were likely quite key for proving of citizenship. Apparently they did a search of the records to confirm that the passport was issued as it said it was. These records are all in Warsaw I have heard. Other then these documents I had the standard birth and marriage certificates and such to prove the link to me.

Have you had any updates since your last post? If you are much more keen on this than your brother maybe you will want to take over for the point of contact for your attorney? Or maybe you could start your own conversation with another? Might be good to get a second opinion. The folks I used here at http://www.polish-citizenship.pl and were quite keen.

 

The birth certificate was applied for after the letter of Polish Citizenship Confirmation was received. My ballpark timeline is as follows - couriered the documents to Poland (mid Feb), application submitted to government by lawyer (mid March), received reply from case worker mid May that they were a) looking into the archives to verify 1940's passport was issued and b) Had a question about timing of my grandparent leaving Poland and if they went to any third party countries on the journey. They also had a question asking where my great-grandparents had lived. In reply I just submitted the town I thought it was via email via the lawyer - no documented proof. Lawyer drafted response to the government case worker. In mid June I got word I was accepted and received a letter of confirmation. The next step was to apply for the Polish Birth Certificate - the lawyer did all that for me automatically. I received the Birth Certificates in late July. In Mid August I applied for a PESEL # via regular mail at my closest consulate in North America (the lawyer sent me a pre-filled in application in Polish to my address and all I had to do was verify, date, and sign it. I submitted a copy of one of my birth certificates along with the PESEL application forms). In early Sept I received my PESEL # from the consulate. I now am just waiting for my appointment date with the same North American consulate to have my passport application meeting (the lawyer filled out a completed passport application form in Polish - again all I have to do is verify, date, and sign). To apply for a passport you need the PESEL #, Polish Birth Certificates, and Letter of Confirmation - three different documents.

That's great that he thinks Polish military might be enough. In regards to costs w/ translations and application fees to government I was in the $1000-1500 range if I recall. I think document searching was an additional 200 euros or in that ball park but I never did any of it as I had everything. I did all payments via Paypal to them so it was super simple and quick. It took a couple of weeks to open and transfer money into a Paypal account by linking your bank account... so if you are in a rush and go that route get a head start on it so Paypal can deposit a few cents in your bank account. You then need to tell them how much they deposited as a security feature.

 

While my example is not directly related to your question, it may help. Someone I knew was doing a family tree for someone else and original documents had been sent through the mail. Due to some problems enroute with the post office, the documents had been destroyed accidently.
Maybe in your case you could have the documents copied. It may cost more, but for peace of mind it may help in case something untoward happens. This way if the copies get misplaced or destroyed then you are not out much and still have the originals. Then you can make more copies.
While this may not have happened to others, why take chances. You will have to weigh the pros and cons cost wise if you have copies made in order to keep the originals as backup or to send the originals and hope for the best that nothing happens once they leave your possession.