When starting your new life in Portugal, whether in Lisbon or elsewhere, it may sometimes be necessary to have your official documents certified so that they are valid and recognised in the territory. This can then facilitate some of your administrative procedures and ensure that you do not run into problems in the years to come.
Why legalize your documents in Portugal
The legalization of your documents will allow you to officially certify the truthfulness:
- Of the signature of your documents
- Circumstances and reasons why the documents were signed
- The identity of the seal or stamp affixed to the documents
A necessary step for certain documents that you may have to send to Portuguese companies, schools or authorities when setting up a subsidiary, registering a trademark or getting married. The country will in these cases and others require the authentication of documents provided and produced abroad.
The legalization of your documents is done through a procedure between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Portuguese Consulate in your country (Europe).
Procedure for certifying documents
The procedure depends on the type of documents to be legalized but can be done:
- To start at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in your department, a notary, Ministry, Academy or other Government agency.
- Then, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs…
- Finally, at the Consulate of Portugal
Which documents should be legalized in Portugal?
Many documents can be certified and legalised in Portugal, here are a few examples
- Judicial acts: act of judgment .
- Real estate sales contract
- Notarial deeds: power of attorney to accept a donation, to borrow, to buy, to collect an inheritance…
- Marriage contract
- Administrative acts: diplomas, certificate of nationality…
- Private deeds: certificate of honour, purchase/rental contract, acknowledgement of debt, supplier’s certificate…
