Obviously, every person has a personal passport, identification code, medical card and other documents, without which it is very difficult to live in the modern world. However, a person receives all these documents from a certain age. The main document that is issued from birth is called a birth certificate or as it is called in Poland – «akt urodzenia».
The birth of a child is always an important moment in the life of any person, especially if you are not a citizen of the country where you live now. This article will be especially useful for new parents or for those who are just planning to have a child. We will tell you about all the peculiarities of obtaining a birth certificate in Poland.
Birth card and birth certificate - what is the difference?
Couples who are expecting a baby prepare for this joyful event in advance, reading a lot of information and advice from other people. Buying a crib, preparing a room for the baby - these are all matters of first necessity, but you should not forget about the official registration of the baby. You may have already heard about such concepts as birth card and birth certificate. Many people think that these are one and the same, but in fact it is not so. Let's define the main differences between a birth card and a birth certificate:
The birth record is filled out by the head obstetrician who delivered the baby. Basic data such as sex, height, weight and other information about the child are entered there. Parents have no influence on this document. After the doctor has filled out the birth certificate, it is sent to the USC (civil registry office).
The parents of the child are responsible for issuing the birth certificate by submitting the application and other documents themselves.
In simple words, the birth card is filled out by doctors as soon as the child is born. This happens in the hospital and this process does not concern the parents.
List of necessary documents for issuing a birth certificate
So, now you know the difference between a birth card and a birth certificate. Now let's talk about what documents you need to prepare to get this document the first time.
If the child has only one parent, it is necessary to provide supporting documents. For example, a copy of the death certificate of the mother or father.
Another interesting point is the choice of names. Some parents wonder whether there is a list of names that are allowed or banned in Poland. Actually, there is no such list and parents can choose any name on their own. However, it is important to follow a few rules: a name may not contain more than two separate words; a name may not have an offensive or mocking meaning. It is possible to change the name within six months after the child's registration, but you will have to pay 11 PLN for it.
Registration of a birth certificate in Poland
The first method is the most popular, as many people prefer to obtain such important documents only in person. To do this, one of the legal parents needs to come to USC, submit documents and an application. If there are no errors and claims against the parent, the birth certificate is issued the very next day.
The second way is to obtain the document online. In fact, today in Poland you can get almost all possible documents without visiting the state authorities in person. The only thing you need to have in order to process a child's birth certificate online is an ePuap, which can be easily created by a foreigner. First, you need to go to the official website, where one of the parents undergoes authorization. Next, you need to fill out a small application form, enter the child's name. All that remains is to check the application again and sign it with your electronic signature.
How many days are given to obtain a birth certificate?
At the legislative level, a time limit has been set for parents to obtain a birth certificate for their child - 21 days. What happens if you do not manage to get this document in 21 days? In such a case, the USC state institution has the full right to form a birth certificate on its own. This is done on the basis of the birth record prepared by the doctors at the hospital.
