What does the "Ukrainian" entry mean?
Such a document does not confirm the Polish nationality of that particular ancestor, and you cannot rely on it as evidence. But the law does not say that one record with a different nationality invalidates your other documents. Its list of evidence is open: it starts with the words "w szczególności", meaning "in particular" (Art. 13(3) of the Karta Polaka Act). The law has no rule on which of two conflicting documents weighs more.
The law looks beyond one record
For Karta Polaka, you yourself, or at least one parent or grandparent, or two great-grandparents must have been of Polish nationality (Art. 2(1)(3)). One great-grandparent is not enough. So if your grandfather's record says "Ukrainian", check your grandmothers and your other grandfather, and if the Polish ancestors are great-grandparents, look for documents on two of them.
What else the law accepts as evidence
Art. 13(3) lists, in particular, these documents:
- the ancestor's Polish identity documents;
- civil status records, baptism records, school certificates and other documents showing a link to Polishness;
- documents on service in Polish military units;
- documents on deportation, imprisonment or rehabilitation that record Polish origin;
- foreign identity documents that state Polish nationality;
- the Karta Polaka of your parent or one of your grandparents.
If no Polish ancestor can be proven at all, the law offers a separate basis: a certificate from a Polish or Polonia organization confirming at least the last three years of active work for the Polish language and culture (Art. 2(1)(3)). The organization must be on the Foreign Ministry list in Monitor Polski (Art. 13(4)), see the list by country. A draft amendment proposes to abolish this basis; for now it applies.
Step by step
- Write down the circle: parents, four grandparents, great-grandparents. Mark who already has documents in the family and what nationality they state.
- For the ancestor recorded as "Ukrainian", look for other documents from the list above: a baptism record, a marriage record, a school certificate, military papers. Where to find them and how to translate and certify them is covered in the article on documents proving Polish origin. A separate piece on Ukrainian archives will follow.
- Ask your relatives: if a parent or grandparent already has a Karta Polaka, that is evidence in its own right.
- If your ancestors cannot be proven, check whether an organization from the Monitor Polski list operates near you and whether you can show three years of work with it.
- Prepare for the meeting with the consul. Whatever the basis, you need basic Polish, knowledge of traditions, a written declaration of belonging to the Polish nation and a statement that neither you nor your ancestors were repatriated under the 1944–1957 agreements (Art. 2(1)(1), (2) and (4)).
The interview does not replace documents
You are the one who submits documents and evidence (Art. 13(2)). The law provides for a conversation with the consul to assess your Polish if you have no certificate or Polish school diploma (Art. 13(7) and (8)). So a good interview does not make up for missing proof of origin. You cannot skip it either: it happens whatever documents you bring, and the fewer papers your family has, the more carefully you should prepare for it. If you can choose between the Card and confirming your ancestors' citizenship, see the comparison of the two routes.
Documents ready, next comes the consul
The bot prepares you for the Karta Polaka interview: 750 questions on Polish history, culture and traditions, just like in the real interview with the consul. The fewer documents your family has, the more it matters to speak confidently about your Polish roots.
Try it in the bot →Sources
FAQ
Will Karta Polaka be refused if my grandfather's record says "Ukrainian"?
The law has no such rule. That record does not prove your grandfather was Polish, but you can rely on other ancestors or on other documents of the same grandfather: the list of evidence is open (Art. 13(3)).
Is one Polish great-grandmother enough?
No. The law requires two great-grandparents of Polish nationality, or one parent or grandparent (Art. 2(1)(3)).
Can I get Karta Polaka without Polish ancestors?
Yes, with a certificate from an organization on the Monitor Polski list confirming at least three years of active work (Art. 2(1)(3)). A draft amendment proposes to abolish this basis; as of 27.09.2026 it applies.
Can the interview with the consul replace documents?
No. The applicant submits the evidence (Art. 13(2)); under the law the conversation serves to assess your Polish if you have no certificate (Art. 13(8)).