Polish State Archives
The Polish State Archives hold a treasure trove of information for anyone researching their Polish roots. This network of regional and central archives contains historical records of immense value for genealogists.
The Structure of Polish State Archives
Poland’s archival system is quite complex due to the country’s historical changes in territories and administration. The State Archives, managed by the Head Office of State Archives in Warsaw, are divided into central, regional, and local archives. These entities safeguard documents from state institutions, local government, court records, notarial deeds, and church records, among others.
How to find Vital Records in Poland
For genealogical research, vital records (birth, marriage, and death records) are the most sought after. These documents provide basic yet crucial information about ancestors. Such records typically fall under the civil registration offices (Urząd Stanu Cywilnego) but are transferred to the state archives after 100 years. You can also check out our guide describing birth certificates in Poland.
Need help with your search in the Polish State Archives?
We handle more than a dozen archival cases a day in terms of searches, obtaining copies and translations. If you would like us to find archive records for you, please write using the contact form, we will get back to you with an answer within 3 days.
National Polish Archives
The Head Office of the State Archives in Warsaw, known as Naczelna Dyrekcja Archiwów Państwowych, oversees the entire network of state archives in Poland. It establishes guidelines, standards, and provides professional support to all archival units in the country. The Head Office itself does not hold any archival materials.
Are Polish national archives online for free?
Thanks to the continuous development of digital archives in Poland, we can easily access archive material for free on the website SzukajwArchiwach.
Regional Archives in Poland
There are 30 main Regional State Archives across the country. Each is responsible for the archival materials of a particular region. They safeguard documents from various sources, including state institutions, local governments, courts, churches, and private persons. Here are a few of the key regional archives:
- State Archives in Warsaw (Archiwum Państwowe w Warszawie): As the capital city, Warsaw’s archives hold a vast range of documents. It covers the entire Mazowieckie voivodeship and the city of Warsaw.
- State Archives in Krakow (Archiwum Państwowe w Krakowie): Krakow’s archives are renowned for their rich collections dating back to the Middle Ages, including documents of the Polish kings and the ancient city of Krakow.
- State Archives in Poznań (Archiwum Państwowe w Poznaniu): The archives in Poznań safeguard a large collection of documents, including those of the Greater Poland (Wielkopolska) region.
- State Archives in Wrocław (Archiwum Państwowe we Wrocławiu): In Wrocław, you can find documents not only from the Lower Silesia (Dolny Śląsk) region but also many displaced records from lands no longer within Poland’s borders.
- State Archives in Gdańsk (Archiwum Państwowe w Gdańsku): Gdańsk’s archives are particularly rich in documents related to maritime and Hanseatic history.