# How to translate a document from Polish to English

To translate a document from Polish to English, upload the PDF or photo to LoreAI, choose English and download an editable Word file. Names keep their Polish letters, and PESEL numbers and dates stay as written. For USCIS, a translator then certifies the full English text[1].

## Which Polish documents people translate

Most are civil records and school papers. An odpis aktu urodzenia or aktu małżeństwa for an immigration or citizenship file. A świadectwo dojrzałości and a university diploma for a job or a degree evaluation. A court ruling, a notarial deed or a letter from ZUS about a pension.

Poland's civil registry issues three kinds of birth record copies[2]:

- **Odpis skrócony**: The short copy, showing the current content of the record[2]
- **Odpis zupełny**: The full copy, an exact repetition of the record as first drawn up, with more information[2]
- **Wielojęzyczny odpis skrócony**: The multilingual short copy, which gov.pl says needs no translation for matters abroad, issued on paper only[2]

Gov.pl lists 22 zł for a short or multilingual copy and 33 zł for a full one[2]. The full copy carries the most detail, so ask the receiving office which one it wants before you order.

## How to translate a Polish PDF to English with LoreAI

1. **Get a clear copy.** Use the electronic copy from the registry or scan the paper. A straight phone photo of each page works too.
2. **Type your email at the top of this page.** The 6-digit code we send opens LoreAI. Your first document is free, up to 3 pages and 3 MB.
3. **Choose English.** LoreAI detects Polish on its own.
4. **Download the Word file.** The form's boxes come back as Word tables, label next to value, in the order of the original.

## Polish terms and how they read in English

- **Urząd Stanu Cywilnego (USC)**: Civil Registry Office
- **Kierownik USC**: Head of the Civil Registry Office, who signs the copy
- **Nazwisko rodowe**: Family name at birth, which matters for married women
- **Imiona rodziców**: Parents' given names
- **PESEL**: The national identification number, kept digit for digit
- **Wzmianki dodatkowe**: Additional annotations, such as a later marriage or name change
- **Świadectwo dojrzałości**: Upper secondary school-leaving certificate (matura)

Names keep every Polish letter: ą, ć, ę, ł, ń, ó, ś, ź and ż. Grzegorz Wróbel stays Grzegorz Wróbel, never Grzegorz Wrobel, because the spelling has to match the passport.

## Polish documents for USCIS

USCIS asks for a full English translation of any document in a foreign language, with the translator's certification that it is complete and accurate and that they are competent to translate from Polish into English[1]. That applies to the multilingual copy as well when the office wants it in English, so translate the Polish labels and the stamp text too.

LoreAI is not a certified translation service. A person fluent in Polish and English reviews the Word file and signs the certification. The [USCIS translation guide](https://www.loreai.org/uscis-translation) shows the wording. For a UK office, see [certified translation in the UK](https://www.loreai.org/certified-translation-uk).

## Dates and grades

Polish writes dates day first, as 03.02.1990 or 3 lutego 1990. LoreAI keeps the numbers as written, so add the month in words for a US reader, who would take 03.02 as March 2. Polish school grades run from 1 (niedostateczny) to 6 (celujący). Keep the number and the word, and let the evaluator convert it.

## Questions people ask

### Can I translate a Polish PDF to English for free?

Yes. LoreAI translates your first document free, up to 3 pages, scans included.

### Does the multilingual Polish birth certificate need a translation?

Gov.pl says the multilingual copy needs no translation for matters abroad[2]. USCIS asks for a full English translation of foreign language documents[1], so ask your office.

### Will LoreAI keep Polish letters in names?

Yes. Names keep ą, ł, ś and the other Polish letters exactly as written.

### Is LoreAI's translation certified?

No. LoreAI gives you the English Word file. A bilingual person signs the certification.

## Sources

1. [8 CFR 103.2(b)(3), Translations, Electronic Code of Federal Regulations](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-8/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-103/subpart-A/section-103.2), accessed November 6, 2026
2. [Gov.pl: Uzyskaj odpis aktu stanu cywilnego (urodzenia, małżeństwa, zgonu) (Polish)](https://www.gov.pl/web/gov/uzyskaj-odpis-aktu-stanu-cywilnego-urodzenia-malzenstwa-zgonu), accessed November 6, 2026

By Matt Mountain · Updated November 6, 2026