In the title two-dimensional coordination polymer, [Yb(2)(C(8)H(4)O(4))(3)(H(2)O)(6)](n), the unique Yb(III) ion is eight-coordinated in a distorted dodeca-hedral coordination geometry by three water O atoms and five O atoms from carboxyl-ate groups belonging to four different terephthalate ligands. One of the terephthalate ligands is located around an inversion center. The coordination polymers are parallel to (121) and are connected by O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds into a three-dimensional framework.