United States
Polish Consulate in Chicago: citizenship by descent guide
What to know before you contact the Polish Consulate in Chicago about Polish citizenship by descent or a Polish passport.
This is not the official consulate website. For appointments and official information use the official website ↗.
Mission details
- TypeConsulate General
- Address1530 North Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60610
- AppointmentsPassport, visa, legal and citizenship appointments through e-Konsulat (free of charge).
- Official websiteOpen ↗
Polish citizenship by descent: what to prepare
Citizenship at this mission: Accepts applications for confirmation of Polish citizenship in person or by mail. Fee USD 118. The consul forwards the application to the competent voivode in Poland.
Certified long-form records with apostilles, translated into Polish by a sworn translator.
- Your long-form birth certificate
- Birth and marriage records for each generation back to your Polish ancestor
- Your ancestor's US naturalization records, or proof there were none, to show when (or whether) citizenship was lost
- Your ancestor's Polish documents if available: birth record, passport, ID or military records
Polish authorities require translations by a Polish sworn translator (tłumacz przysięgły), done after the apostille.
How the process works
- Your ancestor must have been a Polish citizen after 31 January 1920, the date of Poland's first citizenship law.
- We check whether citizenship was lost before 19 January 1951, through naturalization abroad or foreign military service.
- A voivode (provincial governor) in Poland issues the confirmation. You can file through your Polish consulate, which forwards it, or in Poland through a representative with power of attorney.
- Your foreign birth and marriage records are transcribed into Polish registers so you can apply for a passport.
Last reviewed: October 2026. Rules and procedures change, so check the official website.
Before you book
Check if you qualify for Polish citizenship
Answer a few questions first, so your consular appointment is not wasted.
Full Polish citizenship guide →Poland | Question 1 of 4
Who is your closest Polish ancestor?
There is no generation limit in Polish law.
FAQ
Which areas does the Polish Consulate in Chicago cover?
According to its official website, it covers Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin. Always confirm on the official site before booking, as jurisdictions can change.
Can I apply for Polish citizenship by descent through the Polish Consulate in Chicago?
According to official information: Accepts applications for confirmation of Polish citizenship in person or by mail. Fee USD 118. The consul forwards the application to the competent voivode in Poland.
Do I need an appointment?
The official website says: Passport, visa, legal and citizenship appointments through e-Konsulat (free of charge).
Is this the official consulate website?
No. RootPassport is an independent citizenship services company. Use the official website linked on this page for appointments and official information.
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