Notary services

Notary services in Poland

The activities of notaries are regulated by the updated law on notarial services, which ensures high accuracy of legal acts. Each specialist acts as a person of public trust, confirming the authenticity of signatures, the will of the parties and the legality of transactions.

The most popular requests for certification from Polish notaries:

• Confirmation of the authenticity of a handwritten signature on applications, powers of attorney and consents for the child’s departure.
• Certification of the fidelity of copies of passports, diplomas and other certificates to the originals.
• Determination of the exact time of presentation of the document (fixing the date).
• Confirmation that a person is alive and is in a certain place.

Notary services for foreigners in Poland

For non-residents and persons with temporary residence status, the notary is the main guarantor of the legality of actions. In 2026, the rules for working with foreigners became stricter in terms of personal identification. They require the provision of a full package of current residence documents.

When a foreigner applies, the notary ensures that the following conditions are met:

• Checking the validity of the residence card, visa or passport through special databases.
• Ensuring the presence of a sworn translator if the client does not speak Polish.
• Explanation of the legal consequences of signing the act in a language understandable to the foreigner.
• Registration of foreign business entities in the KRS system through a notarial protocol.

These measures prevent the client from being misled and guarantee that each action meets the interests of the foreign citizen. This is especially true for the conclusion of lease agreements (occasional lease), where the role of the notary is critical for protecting the rights of both the owner and the tenant.

Cost and tariffs for notarial acts

Many clients are interested in the question of how much notary services cost in Poland, since prices are regulated at the state level. The maximum rates (notarial fee) are set by the Ministry of Justice. However, they may vary depending on the value of the subject of the transaction or the complexity of the case.

The general prices for notary services usually consist of the following elements:

• The basic fee for performing a specific action (for example, certifying a signature costs about PLN 20-30).
• Interest rate on the amount of the property transaction (for real estate or large loans).
• Value added tax (VAT) of 23%, which is added to the cost of the service.
• State duties and fees for making entries in court registers or land books.

Features of cooperation with a Polish notary for Ukrainians

Given the large number of Ukrainian citizens in the country, a notary in Poland has become a familiar part of daily legal practice for Ukrainians. Many notary offices have adapted their workflows to the needs of Ukrainian citizens, offering simplified document verification algorithms.

When issuing powers of attorney or applications, Ukrainians should consider:

• The possibility of using digital documents in the mObywatel application for identification.
• The need for a PESEL number for most financially significant notarial acts.
• A special procedure for registering inheritance rights to property located in Ukraine.
• Requirements for translating documents issued by Ukrainian state authorities.

Such interaction provides Ukrainians with the opportunity to remotely manage affairs in their homeland or legally integrate into the Polish economic environment. Using the services of a notary is a mandatory step for those planning a long-term stay in the country.

How to choose a specialist and prepare for a visit

To choose a reliable notary, first of all, you should use the official state register Krajowa Rada Notarialna. There you can check the validity of the license and the exact address of the office. It is crucial for a foreigner to find a specialist who has experience working with non-residents. Since the procedures for identification by foreign passport or residence card have their own subtleties. It is recommended to read reviews about communication in a specific office in advance. After all, the willingness of the staff to answer questions by e-mail greatly simplifies the preparation of complex transactions, such as buying real estate or registering a business.

Preparation for the visit begins with the formation of a complete package of documents in paper and, if possible, digital form. It is necessary to send scanned copies of your foreign passport, PESEL number and all papers related to the case to the notary’s mail a few days before the meeting. This allows the notary’s assistant to draft the act in advance and check the data in the registers. This reduces the time you spend in the office to a minimum. And if you do not speak Polish at a level sufficient to understand legal terminology, you must arrange in advance for the presence of a sworn translator.

During the visit itself, it is important to have the originals of all the documents that you sent earlier with you. Thus, the notary must personally certify their authenticity. It is also worth clarifying in advance the form of payment at a specific office. Although most modern offices accept cards, state fees for making entries in land registers sometimes require payment in cash or by a separate bank transfer.

Clearly agreeing on financial details and checking the draft document before signing will help avoid misunderstandings and guarantee that the notary in Poland will perform his work as quickly and accurately as possible.