Apostille for Portugal: How to Get Your Documents Accepted (2026)
Portugal accepts foreign public documents through an apostille, under the Hague Convention. Documents like your criminal record, birth and marriage certificates must be apostilled in the country that issued them, then translated into Portuguese by a certified translator, before a consulate or AIMA will accept them.
What is an apostille, and why does Portugal need one?
An apostille is an official certificate that proves a public document is genuine, so another country will accept it. Portugal has been part of the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention since 1969, so instead of full embassy legalisation you get a single apostille from the issuing country. Without it, a consulate or AIMA will refuse the document.
Which documents usually need apostilling?
For a Portuguese visa or residence application this commonly includes your criminal record certificate (the FBI check for Americans, ACRO for the UK), birth certificate, marriage or divorce certificate, and sometimes diplomas or financial documents. Check your specific consulate list, because requirements vary by visa and by consulate.
Where do you get the apostille? (US and UK)
It depends on who issued the document, not where you live. In the US, federal documents such as the FBI background check are apostilled by the US Department of State in Washington DC, while state issued documents like a birth certificate are apostilled by that state authority. In the UK, documents are apostilled by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
| Document | Issued by | Apostilled by |
|---|---|---|
| FBI criminal record (US) | Federal (FBI) | US Department of State (DC) |
| US birth or marriage certificate | A US state | That state authority |
| UK criminal record and certificates | UK | FCDO legalisation office |
Do the documents need translating?
Yes. Documents going to a Portuguese consulate or to AIMA generally must be translated into Portuguese by a certified translator. Do the apostille first, then the translation, so the apostille itself is translated too. Some consulates accept translations done in your home country, while others prefer a Portuguese certified translator.
How long does it take, and why start early?
The apostille is usually the slowest link in the chain. For Americans, the FBI check plus the federal apostille can take 10 to 16 weeks, and consulates often want the certificate less than 90 days old at submission, so timing matters. Start this before almost anything else, and do not let it go stale while you gather the rest.
The order and timing here is fiddly. The Personalised Fit Plan gives you a document checklist and a timeline built around your nationality, and our vetted contacts include translators, so nothing expires while you wait.
Get the paperwork right the first time
See how the FBI check fits the wider US move, or let the Discovery Plan sequence every document and step for you.
Frequently asked questions
Is an apostille the same as notarisation?
No. Notarisation confirms a signature, while an apostille certifies the document itself for international use. Some documents need both.
Can I apostille my FBI check at the state level?
No. The FBI check is a federal document, so it must be apostilled by the US Department of State in Washington DC, not a state office.
How long is an apostilled criminal record valid?
Many consulates want it no more than 90 days old at submission, so do not apostille it too early in the process.
Do I translate before or after the apostille?
After. Get the apostille first, then have the document and its apostille translated into Portuguese by a certified translator.
Does the UK still use apostilles after Brexit?
Yes. The UK remains in the Hague Apostille Convention, and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office issues the apostille.
Who needs a criminal record certificate?
Most adult visa applicants do, usually covering the countries you have lived in recently.
Sources: Hague Conference on Private International Law, US Department of State, UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Portuguese consulates and AIMA. Current June 2026.
Last updated June 2026. By Claire Lawrence, who moved to Portugal and now helps others do the same.