wiadectwom

Wiadectwo, commonly translated as “certificate” in English, is a legal document issued by an official authority that confirms the occurrence of a specific event or the possession of a certain status. In Poland, the most frequently encountered wiadectwa are the birth certificate (akt urodzenia), marriage certificate (akt małżeństwa), and death certificate (akt zgonu). Each of these documents contains basic personal data, such as full names, dates, places, and identifiers of parents or spouses, and is required for a wide range of administrative procedures.

The word “wiadectwo” derives from the Old Slavic root meaning “to testify” or “to witness.” It is therefore used in contexts where authoritative evidence is necessary, such as proving citizenship, enrolling in education, obtaining employment, or filing legal claims. In the Polish language, “wiadectwo” inflects according to case; the dative case form “wiadectwom” appears in sentences that involve indirect objects, for example: „Został przekazany do urzędu w sprawie wiadectwom”, meaning “He was handed over to the office regarding the certificates.”

Because these documents are integral to state administration, they are typically stored in local civil registration offices (Urząd Stanu Cywilnego). Misprints or omissions in any wiadectwo may result in legal disputes, thus ensuring accurate issuance and strict verification is standard practice. This system of certificates plays a vital role in maintaining the legality and social order within Polish society.