Contents

• Check eligibility and the documents you need
• Get a certificate of no impediment at an embassy or consulate
• Get a certificate of no impediment by post
• Proof that you’re living in or staying in the country before giving notice
• If you’ve been married or in a civil partnership before

Get a certificate of no impediment at an embassy or consulate

Here’s how to get a CNI at the British Embassy Warsaw. Alternatively, you can get a CNI by post.

1. Apply online and pay £100 for your CNI – £50 for receiving notice (non-refundable) and £50 for issuing the CNI.
2. Book an appointment at the British Embassy Warsaw to make a declaration that you intend to get married, known as ‘giving notice’. You’ll be sent instructions on how to book an appointment once you’ve completed your online application.
3. If you do not live in Poland, you must be there for 3 whole days before you attend your appointment, starting the day after you arrive.
4. Attend your appointment where you can check all the information in your notice and make any corrections before signing.
5. Your notice will be displayed for 7 days.
6. Your CNI will be issued after 7 days if no one has raised a legal objection to your marriage.
7. Your CNI will be posted to your chosen address in Poland or you can collect it. You can select if you want to book an appointment to collect your CNI or have it posted when you apply online.

Select an appointment that’s at least 7 days after you apply so your documents can be checked. For example, if you apply on a Wednesday your appointment should be after the following Tuesday. You’ll need to bring the originals of the documents you upload to your appointment and proof you’ve been in the country for at least 3 days.

Once you have your CNI, it will be accepted by local authorities for 6 months.

Apply online – CNI at an embassy or consulate

To apply you’ll need your:

• UK passport
• proof of address
• partner’s passport (or national identity card if they’re not a UK national)
• partner’s proof of address
• proof any previous marriages or civil partnerships have ended
• credit or debit card to pay for your CNI

If any documents are not in English or the local language, you’ll need to upload a certified translation and bring the original document and translation to your appointment. Find a qualified translator.

It will take about 35 minutes to apply and pay for your CNI online.

Check with the person conducting your ceremony or relevant local authority before you apply to make sure you need a CNI.

Apply now