Civil Wedding in Poland, a Guide for Couples

A civil wedding can be registered at any Registry Office (Urząd Stanu Cywilnego, USC) in Poland. There are two options:
+ a ceremony at the USC,a ceremony outside the USC (outdoors or at another venue) – this requires the approval of the Head of the USC and an additional fee.

A Polish citizen planning a civil wedding should prepare:
+an ID card or passport,
+the administrative fee (opłata skarbowa) – PLN 84,
+a document confirming marital status if this information is missing from the records (e.g., records issued abroad),
+a document confirming the termination of a previous marriage (if applicable), e.g.: a marriage certificate with a divorce annotation, a death certificate of the previous spouse, a final court judgment,
+witnesses’ details (2 people – first name, last name, date of birth, address),
+an interpreter, if the Polish citizen or any of the witnesses does not speak Polish well enough to understand the ceremony.

A foreign national getting married in Poland should prepare:
+ a valid passport or another identity document,
+ a birth certificate extract/certified copy with a sworn translation into Polish,
+ a document confirming legal capacity to marry under the law of the country of origin (e.g., “certificate of no impediment”) – translated into Polish by a sworn translator,
+ documents relating to previous marriages, if applicable (divorce, annulment, death of a spouse) + sworn translations
+ ,witnesses’ details (as above),
+ an interpreter, if the foreign national does not speak Polish – the interpreter must be present both when submitting documents and on the wedding day.

If the foreign national’s home country does not issue a document confirming legal capacity to marry, it may be necessary to:
+ obtain permission from a Polish court to waive the requirement to submit such a document.

1. Choosing the USC
The couple may choose any Registry Office (USC) in Poland (no local jurisdiction restrictions).

2. Joint visit to the USC
Both parties appear in person with the complete set of documents.

3. Setting the wedding date
During the visit, the date and place of the ceremony are agreed (USC or an outdoor/off-site ceremony – if the couple plans to apply).

4. Paying the administrative fee
The basic fee for preparing the marriage certificate is PLN 84.

5. Additional arrangements
Confirming witnesses’ details, arranging an interpreter if needed, and agreeing the ceremony format.

6. Wedding day
The couple and witnesses arrive with identity documents, the couple makes the required declarations in the presence of the Head of the USC and witnesses, and signs the marriage record.

7. After the wedding
The USC prepares the marriage certificate, and the couple usually receives a short extract of the marriage certificate.

For a civil wedding to take place outside the USC building, additional requirements must be met:

5.1. Application for a ceremony outside the USC
The couple submits a written application to the selected USC requesting a ceremony outside the office.
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In the application, they provide:
+ the exact location of the ceremony (address, venue, description),
+ the date and time of the wedding,
+ justification (e.g., a place of personal significance, accessibility needs, guest logistics),
+ a statement that the location is safe and appropriate for the formal nature of the ceremony.

The USC may request:
+ photos of the location,
+ a setup plan (table, chairs, cover/shelter),
+ practical information / directions.
The decision to grant approval rests with the Head of the USC.

5.2. Organisational requirements
The ceremony location must:
+ ensure the safety of all participants,
+ allow the ceremony to maintain its dignified character,
+ provide suitable technical conditions for the registrar (table, chairs, and the possibility of protection from rain/wind).

5.3. Fees for an outdoor/off-site civil wedding
Two fees apply for a ceremony outside the USC:
+ PLN 84 – the basic fee for preparing the marriage certificate,
+ PLN 1,000 – the additional fee for conducting the ceremony outside the Registry Office.

Requirements on the wedding day
On the day of the ceremony:
+the couple and witnesses must have valid identity documents with them
+if translation is required – a sworn interpreter / interpreter must be present,
+after making the declarations, the couple and witnesses sign the marriage record,
+after the ceremony, the couple receives a short extract of the marriage certificate.