US Apostille in Lisbon: FBI Checks for the D7 & Digital Nomad Visa

Moving to Lisbon, whether to spend your retirement in a slower, sunnier rhythm or to work remotely while living somewhere far more interesting than your old commute, is a decision more Americans are making every year. Portugal's D7 Visa and Digital Nomad Visa have made that move accessible, but both come with a requirement of an apostille before your documents can be accepted.

If you're American, this step tends to be more involved than it is for applicants from other countries like the UK, India, and more. The US doesn't have one central authority that handles document authentication. Instead, the process is split between federal and state offices, each with its own procedures, requirements, and timelines. An FBI background check, for example, is handled entirely differently from a state-issued bank statement or tax return, and mixing up the two can mean delays you didn't account for.

This blog explains exactly what US Apostille means, which documents you'll need for the D7 and Digital Nomad Visas in Lisbon, and how to get each one properly authenticated, whether you're still in the US or already settled in Lisbon.

A US Apostille is a certificate that authenticates the origin of a public document so it can be legally recognized in another country. If you are presenting a US document to a foreign country, that country needs to know the document is legitimate. The apostille legally proves that the signature and seal on the document are authentic. An apostille is only valid between countries that are part of the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention. Since both the USA and Portugal are member-countries, you will need your US documents apostilled to be valid for the D7 and Digital Nomad visas in Lisbon.

When you're applying for either the D7 Visa or the Digital Nomad Visa in Lisbon, you'll need a mix of federally issued and state issued documents from the USA. Both types are required, and it's important to understand the difference because each one goes through a different apostille process.

Federal Level Documents:

• FBI Background Check - Confirms you don't have a criminal record and is a standard requirement across both visa types.
• Social Security Benefit Letters for D7 Visa (Retirement Visa) - Official document from the competent authority confirming your retirement/pension status and the amount you receive.
• IRS Form 6166 for Digital Nomad Visa - Document attesting to your fiscal residence.

State-Level Documents:

• Proof of financial resources covering at least 12 months, usually shown through bank statements from the previous six months.
• Income Tax Returns (ITRs) from the previous three years.
• Vital records, such as birth and marriage certificates, may also be required. Check with the relevant authorities.

Federal Apostille vs State-Level Apostille

The apostille authority for federal documents is different from the one for state documents.

Check Why Americans Moving to Portugal Need an FBI Background Check and Apostille.

No, the US Embassy in Lisbon cannot apostille US documents. Under international law and the Hague Apostille Convention, US embassies and consulates are not legally empowered to issue apostilles for documents generated in the United States, such as state vital records, FBI background checks, or private contracts.

The Embassy can provide standard notary services for a fee of $50 per seal. If you have a private document, like a work contract or an affidavit, you can make an appointment at the Embassy in Lisbon to sign it in front of a US consular officer acting as a notary.

But a Portuguese immigration office would still ultimately require a full apostille on that document, which means physically sending that newly notarized paper back to Washington D.C. or a state authority to be apostilled. An apostille must always be issued by the designated authority within the country where the document originated.

This is the first step of the process, if you don't already have it. This is how it works:

1. Get Your Fingerprints on FBI-Compliant Cards

Whether you're still in the USA or already living in Lisbon, your fingerprints need to be taken on FD-258 or FD-1164 cards. These are the specific formats the FBI accepts. You can get this done at local police stations or through private fingerprinting service providers. Explore all Fingerprinting Services in Lisbon.

2. Submit Your Application to the FBI

Once your fingerprints are ready, you'll need to fill out the FBI's application form and mail it, along with your fingerprint cards, to the FBI in the USA. You've got two options here:

• Do It Yourself: Fill out the form, prepare the documents, and mail everything directly to the FBI.
• Hire a Professional Authorized Company: These are approved providers who handle the entire submission process on your behalf, which can save you a lot of time and reduce the chance of errors, especially if you're applying internationally, and from Lisbon.

3. Receive Your FBI Identity History Summary Check

After your application and fingerprints reach the FBI, they run your prints against the Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) database to check for any criminal history. Once the check is complete, you'll receive your results digitally, sent to the email address you used when you applied. This document is what you'll eventually need to get apostilled, so keep it safe.

For more information on these, you can read our blog- How to Request an FBI Background Check From Portugal.

Step 1: Prepare Your Documents for US Apostille

Federal Documents

Before you send your FBI Criminal Record Check for apostille, there are a few things you need to double-check to make sure it doesn't get rejected.

Check Out Complete Guide to FBI Apostille for Portugal. 

State-Issued Documents

Unlike your FBI background check and other federally issued documents, some private state-issued documents actually need to be notarized before they can be apostilled. These documents include bank statements and ITRs, which need to be signed in front of a US notary public, who will then add their seal and signature to confirm it's authentic. Without this step, the state apostille authority won't accept the document.

You need to make sure that the notary you use is commissioned in the same state where the document will be apostilled. For example, if your bank statement needs to be apostilled through the California Secretary of State, it should be notarized by a notary commissioned in California.

Step 2: Send Your Documents To The Relevant Authorities

Once your documents are ready, the next step is sending them to the correct apostille authority in the USA. This depends on the type of document you have: federal documents go to the US Department of State, while state-issued documents go to the Secretary of State's office in the state where they were issued.

So, what can you actually do to get this done? You've generally got three options.

Option A: Apostille Before Leaving the USA / In-Person

If you're still in the US when you start this process, you can personally submit your documents to the relevant apostille authority, either by mailing them in or, in some states, dropping them off in person. Since you're already in the country, you have more control over the process and can follow up directly if something goes wrong or takes longer than expected. In case you're already in Lisbon, you can mail your documents to a trusted family member or friend in the USA, who can do the drop-off on your behalf.

Option B: Apostille via Mail / Courier From Lisbon

If you're already living in Lisbon, you can mail your documents from Lisbon to the relevant authority in the US using an international courier service. Just keep in mind this option requires a bit more planning. You'll need someone trustworthy on the US side (if required), and you should factor in longer shipping times, customs, and the processes involved in international mail.

Option C: Using an Apostille Service

This is usually the easiest and most used option, especially if you're already in Lisbon and don't want to deal with mailing documents internationally yourself. Specialized apostille services in USA know which authority each document needs to go to, they handle the submission and follow-up for you, and they can sometimes get things done faster since they're familiar with the process. This comes at an added cost, but it saves you time and reduces the chances of mistakes that could delay your visa application.

Step 3: Receive Your Apostilled Documents

If you mailed your documents in yourself (whether from the US or from Lisbon), they'll be returned by mail or courier to the address you provided. This can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on the authority and how busy they are at the time.

If you used an apostille service, they'll usually handle this step for you too, either forwarding the physical documents to your address in Lisbon or sending you scanned copies digitally first, so you can move ahead with your visa application while the originals are still in transit.

Certified translation into Portuguese is the last important step before your apostilled US documents are fully accepted in Lisbon. This isn't a translation you can do yourself. Portuguese authorities require a certified translation, which means it has to be done by a certified translator who is officially recognized to produce legally valid translations.

You should know that the acceptance of a translation here is not like other countries. Portugal does not recognize the concept of a sworn translator who can just stamp a document themselves. For a translation to have legal weight in Lisbon, it must be officially verified and stamped by one of the following:

• A Portuguese Notary (Notário)
• A Portuguese Lawyer (Advogado) or Solicitor (Solicitador) registered with the Portuguese Bar Association  
• The Portuguese Consulate in the country where the document was issued  

So, this is how the process works. The translator will first translate the document and the apostille page. They will then write a formal declaration under oath stating that the translation is a faithful and accurate representation of the original English text. At the end, the translator has to take the translation and their declaration to any of the Portuguese legal entities mentioned above. That professional will verify the translator’s identity and affix their official state seal or signature registration to the document.

For this, you can hire a certified translator based in Portugal. Many of them are experienced specifically with US immigration and apostille documents, so they already know the formatting and terminology Portuguese authorities expect. The US Embassy in Lisbon does not provide translation services, but they have provided a list of translators for your convenience. You can check them here!

There's no fixed timeline for the US apostille process, it really depends on which authority is processing your document. Federal documents go through the US Department of State, while state-issued documents go through that specific state's Secretary of State office, and each one has its own processing speed.

To get a general idea, check below the processing times across a few authorities:

*These are general estimates and can change based on office workload, holidays, and how the request is submitted (mail, in-person, or through an apostille service)

Want to know the specific requirements, timelines, and process for your state? Check out our US State Apostille Services!

The US apostille process can get tricky, especially when you're applying from thousands of miles away in Lisbon. Between figuring out which authority handles which document, keeping up with different state requirements, arranging translations, and making sure nothing gets rejected due to a small technicality, it's easy to feel overwhelmed.

And this is why you need a reliable and experienced partner, like Globeia Lisbon, to take the stress off your plate and handle the entire process for you. This is what you get:

FBI Apostille in Lisbon

Globeia has a physical presence in the USA, located right next door to the US Department of State's Office of Authentications. This means we can personally coordinate with them and physically drop off your documents in person for an FBI apostille, which is generally much faster than mailing your documents in and waiting.

State Apostille Services

Every US state has its own apostille requirements, and keeping track of all 50+ can be confusing. Globeia coordinates directly with all US state departments, so you don't have to research anything yourself. Simply select the state your document was issued in, and we'll provide you with a full list of requirements, collect your documents, and get them apostilled the right way.

Notarization Support for Private Documents

Some state-issued documents need to be notarized before they can be apostilled. Globeia can arrange this for you too, working with certified notaries in the specific state your document is from, so everything is done correctly and accepted without issues.

Portuguese Certified Translation

Once your documents are apostilled, they still need to be translated into Portuguese by a certified professional. Instead of spending time searching for and vetting a sworn translator yourself, Globeia arranges this for you, working only with certified translators experienced in handling US legal and immigration documents.

Fingerprinting and FBI Background Check Support

Don't have your FBI background check yet? No problem. Globeia offers mobile fingerprinting support across Lisbon. We'll send a trained associate directly to your home to capture accurate fingerprints on FBI-compliant cards. You can also choose to visit our office located at Amoreiras Square Building, Rua Carlos Alberto da Mota Pinto no 17, Amoreiras, Lisbon, for in-office appointments on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, from 11:00 AM to 03:00 PM.

If you choose our complete service, we'll then courier these directly to Globeia Inc. in the USA and handle the submission to the FBI on your behalf.

Book Your Fingerprinting Appointment in Lisbon Here!

Doorstep Delivery of Completed Documents

After everything is apostilled and translated, Globeia securely delivers your completed, submission-ready documents straight to your doorstep in Lisbon. That means you get everything you need for your D7 or Digital Nomad Visa application, without ever having to leave your house.

Nobody moves to Lisbon because they dreamed of chasing down an FBI apostille or tracking a Secretary of State's processing queue. That's just the toll you pay to get to the part that actually matters, your morning coffee overlooking the Tagus, your new commute, or simply not having a commute at all. The US apostille process is the last hurdle standing between you and the life you're actually trying to build in Lisbon. The upside is that unlike so much else about relocating internationally, this part is entirely predictable.

Get the process moving early, keep federal and state documents on separate tracks, and don't be afraid to hand the legwork to someone who does this daily. Globeia's team knows every requirement document by document and state by state, so you don't find out about a rejection after it's too late to fix. Start Your US Apostille Application Process Now!