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Polish administration streamlines ID card info, application process

PR dla Zagranicy
John Beauchamp 02.03.2015 10:09
A change to the law on Sunday 1 March saw the introduction of a new Polish ID card as well as a change to the information contained in the document.
The new Dowód Osobisty ID card valid from 1 March 2015. Photo: PAP/Paweł SupernakThe new Dowód Osobisty ID card valid from 1 March 2015. Photo: PAP/Paweł Supernak

Changes to the application process were also made to the law, meaning Poles can now apply for the Dowód Osobisty ID cards at any administrative office nationwide, not just in the locality of residence.

The information on the ID cards has been streamlined to the extent that the address, signature, as well as distinguishing features of the holder, such as eye colour and height, have been scrapped.

“The holder’s address is not information which is needed to discern the individual’s identity, so its inclusion is not necessary,” Interior Ministry spokeswoman Małgorzata Woźniak told the PAP news agency.

The change means that when changing permanent residency, Poles will no longer be obliged to change their ID documents. Up until now up to 500,000 new documents annually had to be issued due to a change in address.

Although the new cards are issued from Monday, the old-style Dowód Osobisty IDs will retain their validity until their expiration date, the Interior Ministry stressed. (jb)

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