Return to the surname before marriage

Yes, you must submit the documents in person.

Remember! You must submit the declaration within 3 months of the court’s decision on divorce becoming final.

If you do not make such a declaration by this date, you cannot make it later and revert to the surname you had before the wedding. Then only an administrative change of name will be possible .

Make an appointment using the e-konsulat system .

1. a copy of the final court judgment dissolving the marriage,
2. an abridged or full copy of the marriage certificate (issued by the Polish registry office),
3. valid Polish passport or ID card.

The fee is 50 EUR.

The consul will accept the statement during your visit to the consulate.

Remember! After accepting your statement, the consul will prepare a protocol that you must sign.

The consul will send the protocol to the head of the Civil Registry Office, who prepared your marriage certificate, to include an entry with the name (i.e. an additional mention). When this information (mention) is entered, the abbreviated copy of this act will contain the current name. Read what to do to get such a copy .

In the event of refusal to perform the action, the consul will issue a decision against which you can lodge a complaint with the Minister of Foreign Affairs within 7 days. The complaint is submitted through the consul who issued the decision.

I did not have time to submit a declaration within three months of the divorce judgment becoming final. Does this mean that I must now always bear my ex-husband’s surname?

No, it is still possible to change the surname to one worn before marriage. With the difference that in this case you can change the surname only in the administrative change of surname mode, more: Administrative change of name and surname .

I got married in Poland. I got divorced abroad. In this case, can I also make a declaration of return to the surname before marriage?

Yes. Remember that you must submit the declaration within three months from the date on which the divorce decree becomes final. In practice, when you submit a declaration of return to your maiden name before the consul, you also apply for the divorce decree to be entered in the Polish register of marital status.

I am twice divorced. Can I now return to my maiden name after my second divorce has been filed?

No, in this mode, you can only submit a declaration of return to the surname before entering into the last marriage. However, you can return to your maiden name in the administrative change of name mode, more: Administrative change of name and surname .