How to Restore a Foreign Passport in Poland for Ukrainians
Anyone can accidentally lose their foreign passport. What should you do in such a situation?
As soon as you discover that your foreign passport is missing, it is essential to remain calm and follow a series of steps to recover it. Losing a foreign passport can be a serious problem, especially for citizens who are abroad. For Ukrainians in Poland, there are clear procedures and consular services that can help restore a foreign passport or obtain a duplicate. In this article, we will outline the steps necessary to restore, passport receipt a passport and provide legal consultation regarding this process.
Initial Steps When Losing a Passport
If you have lost your foreign passport in Poland, it is crucial to act quickly and systematically:
- Stay Calm and Recall Recent Events: Try to remember where you last saw your passport and where it might have been lost or stolen.
- Attempt to Search for the Lost Passport Independently:
- First of all, recall the recent events related to the use of your passport. For example, where you were with your passport and where you presented it. Perhaps it was left at a bank counter or fell out of your bag while opening it.
- Next, contact the local Lost and Found Office (Biuro Rzeczy Znalezionych) or the Ukrainian diplomatic mission (consulate, embassy) to inquire if your document has been found.
- It is also worth posting an announcement on the internet - on your social media pages and in city groups (both Polish- and Russian- or Ukrainian-speaking).
- If you were in any government offices or dining establishments, call or email them inquiring about the lost passport.
- While independent searches do not always guarantee a positive result, do not neglect this method, as there is always a chance that someone has already found your passport.
- Report to the Police: Immediately contact the nearest police station to report the loss or theft of your passport. They will issue a protocol or certificate confirming the report. With this certificate, you must contact the consulate at your location.
- Inform the Police About Found Documents: Report not only the loss of your documents but also any found foreign ones. This helps to invalidate the document to prevent it from being used by fraudsters.
Consular Services for Passport Restoration
- After Receiving a Certificate from the Police, Contact the Ukrainian Consulate in Poland: Consular services include assistance in restoring a foreign passport, application submission and issuing temporary documents needed to return to Ukraine or continue staying in Poland.
- To Renew or Obtain a New Ukrainian Foreign Passport in Poland (e.g., in case of loss or theft), you need to submit an application for a new document.
- Fill Out an Identity Confirmation Application at the Consulate (if you do not have an internal passport). The application must be submitted in person at the Ukrainian consulate in Poland at your place of residence.
- Arrange a Return Certificate to Ukraine if You Plan to Return. The certificate is valid for 30 days. During this time, you must return to Ukraine and obtain a new foreign passport at the relevant department.
- Required Documents to Contact the Consulate:
- Police report or certificate of passport loss.
- Application for passport restoration.
- Valid identity document (if available).
- Copy of the lost passport (if available).
- Two color photographs sized 3.5 x 4.5 cm.
- Receipt for payment of the consular fee.
Passport Restoration Procedure
The procedure for restoring a foreign passport in Poland consists of several important stages necessary to obtain a new document or temporary certificate.
- Filling Out the Application: The first step at the consulate is filling out an application for restoring a foreign passport. You will need to provide basic information such as:
- Surname, first name, patronymic.
- Date and place of birth.
- Address of residence in Poland.
- Circumstances of passport loss (place, time, reasons). Consulate staff will provide you with an application form and help you fill it out correctly. It is important to fill out all fields of the application accurately and completely to avoid further delays in processing your request.
- Birth certificate.
- Marriage or divorce certificate.
- Certificate from the workplace or educational institution.
- Written testimonies from relatives or friends confirming your identity. Sometimes, to confirm identity, testimonies from other people who know you may be needed. These can be other Ukrainian citizens living in Poland or representatives of public organizations.
- Returning to Ukraine to obtain a new foreign passport.
- Continuing to stay in Poland for a limited time. The return certificate to Ukraine has a limited validity period, usually up to 30 days, and allows only one entry into Ukraine. This is a temporary measure that helps avoid problems with migration authorities and ensures the legality of your stay.
- Identity Confirmation: If you do not have other documents confirming your identity, such as an internal Ukrainian passport, the process may become complicated. In this case, the consulate may require additional documents to confirm your identity. These may include:
- Obtaining a Temporary Document: If the passport restoration process takes time and you urgently need to resolve document-related issues, the consulate may issue a temporary document. Most often, this is a certificate for returning to Ukraine, which allows:
Duplicate Document
In some cases, it is possible to obtain a duplicate document: the lost foreign passport. For this, you need to submit the relevant application to the consulate and provide all necessary documents. The procedure for issuing a duplicate may take some time, so it is important to contact the consulate as soon as possible after losing your passport.
- Is it Possible to Obtain a Foreign Passport in Poland?: Yes, it is possible to obtain a foreign passport in Poland. To do this, you need to contact the Ukrainian consulate in Poland, where you must fill out the appropriate application and pay the consular fee. The process of reviewing the application and making the passport can take up to three months.
Legal Consultation
If you encounter difficulties in restoring a foreign passport or need additional assistance, it is recommended to use the services of a lawyer. Legal consultation can provide support in document processing, represent your interests at the consulate, and help resolve other legal issues related to the passport loss.
Important Information
A full-fledged center of the State Enterprise "Document" was opened in Warsaw, where Ukrainians can obtain an ID card or a foreign passport.
Conclusion
Висновок
Restoring a foreign passport in Poland for Ukrainians is a process that requires adherence to certain procedures and rules. Reporting to the police, consular services, filling out applications, and obtaining temporary documents are all essential steps toward obtaining a new passport or a duplicate document. If necessary, seek legal consultation to simplify the restoration process and avoid potential problems.
