Minister of Interior Marcin Kierwiński has signed a regulation standardizing the transcription of same-sex marriages contracted abroad, ensuring that civil registry offices across Poland will uniformly recognize these unions.
Ministerial Approval of New Regulations
On Friday, May 22, Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński announced he had signed a regulation enabling the transcription of same-sex marriage certificates. He emphasized that the government is fulfilling its promises and honoring judicial rulings.
The regulation, which also covers civil registry certificate templates, follows a ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union requiring Poland to recognize same-sex marriages contracted in other EU member states. The measure will take effect three months after publication.
Standardization Across Polish Civil Registry Offices
Digital Affairs Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski noted that the regulation allows for the transcription of same-sex marriages in every civil registry office in Poland. It establishes three distinct forms for marriage certificates: woman and man, woman and woman, or man and man.
Gawkowski stated that the government intends to treat all citizens with dignity and respect. He described the move as a historic step toward a modern, efficient, and equitable administrative system.
Evolution of Administrative Practice
Earlier in May, Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski announced the first completed transcription of a same-sex marriage in the capital, following existing court precedents. He expressed his support for the government’s formal regulation to ensure national consistency.
Trzaskowski explained that Warsaw previously implemented a transitional transcription format following consultations with LGBT advocacy groups and other registry offices. The new nationwide regulation aims to codify these practices to ensure uniformity across the entire country.
