How to Get a Birth Certificate Apostilled in Portugal?

If you're living in Portugal or preparing documents for use abroad, getting your birth certificate apostilled is often a non-negotiable step. Whether it's for residency, immigration, dual citizenship, marriage abroad, or school enrollment, an apostille proves your document is legally valid outside Portugal - but the process can feel confusing if you’ve never done it before.

In this short guide, we’ll walk you through how to get a birth certificate apostilled in Portugal, the common requirements, and the simple steps to avoid delays. We’ll also show how Globeia can help you get your apostille completed quickly and correctly, especially if you need translations or document support.

An apostille is an internationally recognized certification used to verify the authenticity of a public document so it can be legally accepted in another country. It is issued under the Hague Convention of 1961, which simplifies the legalization process between member countries, including Portugal.

When a birth certificate is apostilled, it confirms that the document’s signature, seal, and issuing authority are genuine. This means countries that are part of the Hague Convention can accept the certificate without any further embassy legalization, making the apostille the fastest and most widely accepted form of document authentication.

You will typically need an apostilled birth certificate in Portugal (or for Portuguese authorities abroad) in the following situations:

• Applying for residency or citizenship in Portugal or another Hague Convention country
• Marriage abroad, civil partnerships, or family registration procedures
• School or university admissions requiring proof of identity and place of birth
• Work visa or employment applications, especially when employers need verified identity documents
• Immigration or family reunification cases, including dependent visa processing
• Inheritance, legal claims, or court proceedings outside your home country
• International adoption processes
• Obtaining or renewing a foreign passport for children born abroad

Note: If you need an apostille for a marriage certificate, the requirements are nearly identical to those for a birth certificate. The process and authorities involved remain largely the same.

Step 1: Obtain the official birth certificate

• Request a long-form birth certificate from the Conservatória do Registo Civil in Portugal. Most countries require a recent issue (usually within 6-12 months) for apostille purposes, especially for visas, immigration, or family applications.

Step 2: Check whether notarisation or certification is required before the apostille

• Some destination countries require the birth certificate to be certified by a Portuguese notary before it can receive an apostille. This step ensures the document is validated by an authorised officer and is often necessary when translations or certified copies are involved.

Step 3: Submit the document to the official Portuguese Apostille Authority

• In Portugal, apostilles are issued by the Procuradoria-Geral da República (Attorney General’s Office) and authorised public notaries. Submit the original birth certificate (not photocopies) either in person, by mail, or through a registered document service provider.

Step 4: Pay the official apostille fee and wait for processing

• Processing times vary depending on location and workload. Standard apostille issuance may take a few days, while urgent services can be faster when handled through authorised providers. Always check whether the apostille will be issued digitally or as a physical stamp/seal.

Step 5: Receive your apostilled birth certificate for international use

• Once completed, you will receive the document with the Hague Apostille certificate attached. This makes your Portuguese birth certificate legally valid in all Hague Convention member countries without further embassy legalisation.
  If the destination country requires a translation, it should be done after the apostille unless the authority specifically asks otherwise.

In case you prefer not to deal with the tediousness of paperwork, queues, or the constant communication with officials from Portugal, Globeia Portugal is there to take care of the complete process of apostille for you. Whether or not your birth certificate needs to be notarized, apostille, certified translation, or everything, Globeia not only manages every step for you but also makes certain your documents are in accordance with the international standards. With quick processing, certified partners, and complete handling, Globeia has your back if you want to avoid errors, take less time, and receive absolutely compliant apostilled documents that are ready for visas, immigration, marriage, or any other global application.

• Using an old birth certificate that is no longer valid for apostille purposes.
• Submitting a photocopy instead of the original long-form certificate.
• Getting the translation apostilled instead of the original document (or vice-versa).
• Skipping notarisation when it is required for non-Portuguese documents.
• Providing documents with incorrect spellings or mismatched personal details.
• Not checking whether the destination country accepts apostilles under the Hague Convention.
• Forgetting to authenticate foreign-issued certificates before the apostille.
• Submitting documents without confirming specific embassy or immigration requirements.

The process of getting a birth certificate apostilled in Portugal is pretty simple once you perform the right steps – getting a recent long-form certificate, doing notarization wherever necessary, and then presenting it to the Portuguese Apostille authority. An apostille makes your certificate legally recognized in all countries that are members of the Hague Convention regardless of the reason for which you need the document, be it immigration, marriage abroad, residency or international school admissions. Moreover, in case the whole procedure seems to be a lot for you, Globeia is able to handle the entire workflow, including notarization, translation and apostille services, so your submission is going to be accepted on the first try without any delays.