BASIC INFORMATION REGARDING POLISH ARCHIVES

Please find below basic information on Polish Archives including State, Church Archives and Civil Registry Offices. To access each one individually, please use navigation menu or click directly below on respective icons.

Basic rules

• When sending a request no matter if this is via snail mail or e-mail always provide your basic details, i.e. Your Name and Surname, 00 Street Name no 00, City name, postal code, Country, your email address, no details archive may not reply at all.

• Always provide name of parish/civil registry office, year and type of record you would like to receive for specific ancestor/s.

Polish letter/e-mail writing guide

• Civil Registry Office and Archives (if specific form is not required) request e-mail: https://docs.google.com/document/d/18ErNuynxHLJABSYd2n9MHt9eYVRjU3O3b77Y4EQO8QU/edit?usp=sharing

• Some of archives will have their specific forms to use. This will be indicated here

• https://pgsa.org/how-to/frequently-asked-questions/polish-letter-writing-guide-for-forms/

• https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Poland_Letter_Writing_Guide

How to pay for records?

Transferring money from bank to bank can be expensive due to the fees/charges at your bank, therefore the best way is to make a money transfer by using one of the following websites:

• https://www.worldremit.com

• https://wise.com - previously transferwise

• https://www.westernunion.com

Check also this link:

• https://www.finder.com/ca/international-money-transfers/send-money-to-poland?country_from=CAN&country_to=POL&amount=100

DO NOT SEND A CHECK / CHEQUE! DO NOT SEND CASH!
It will be impossible for a US check to be paid in or cashed in Poland.
It is against Polish law to send cash in the post to Poland.

PayPal
State Archives and Urzędy (/Urząd) Stanu Cywilnego - USCs (Registry Offices) do NOT accept PayPal.