Whether you need a Portuguese birth certificate for citizenship applications, genealogy research, legal proceedings, or personal records, this guide will walk you through every step of the process. We've compiled information directly from official Portuguese government sources to ensure accuracy.
What is a Portuguese Birth Certificate?
A Portuguese birth certificate (certidão de nascimento) is an official document issued by the Portuguese Civil Registry (Conservatória do Registo Civil) that certifies the birth of an individual. It contains essential information including:
- Full name of the person
- Date and place of birth
- Parents' names and nationalities
- Registration number and date
- Any subsequent annotations (marriage, divorce, death, name changes)
The birth certificate is one of the most requested Portuguese documents, commonly needed for:
- Citizenship applications — proving Portuguese ancestry
- Passport renewals — updating personal documents
- Marriage abroad — proving identity and civil status
- Immigration procedures — visa applications and residency permits
- Genealogical research — tracing family history
- Legal proceedings — inheritance, property transfers
Who Can Request a Birth Certificate?
According to the Portuguese Institute of Registries and Notaries (IRN), anyone can request a birth certificate — either their own or someone else's. You don't need to prove a relationship or provide a reason for the request.
Important Exceptions
There are restrictions for certificates of adopted persons and those who have legally changed their sex and name. In these cases, only the person themselves or authorized representatives can request the certificate.
Methods to Request from Abroad
If you're living outside Portugal, you have several options to obtain a Portuguese birth certificate:
Online (Civil Online)
The fastest and most convenient method. Request through the official Civil Online portal.
- Available 24/7
- €10 per certificate
- 24-48 hour processing
Portuguese Consulate
Request in person or by mail through your nearest Portuguese consulate.
- Paper certificate available
- International format option
- Longer processing time
Third option: You can authorize someone in Portugal to request the certificate on your behalf at any civil registry office (conservatória), Citizen Shop (Loja de Cidadão), or IRN Registry Space.
Online Request Process (Step-by-Step)
The Civil Online portal (civilonline.justica.gov.pt) is the official platform for requesting Portuguese civil registry certificates online. Here's how to use it:
Access Civil Online
Go to the Civil Online portal. You can authenticate with your Portuguese Citizen Card (requires card reader and active PINs), Digital Mobile Key (Chave Móvel Digital), or proceed without authentication.
Fill in the Request Form
Provide the required information: full name of the person, date of birth, place of birth, and parents' names. If you're authenticated, some fields will be pre-filled.
Select Certificate Type
Choose "Birth Certificate" (Certidão de Nascimento) from the available options.
Make Payment
Pay €10 using Multibanco reference or credit card. Note: Multibanco payment requires access to Portuguese banking services or Homebanking.
Receive Your Certificate
Once processed, you'll receive an access code. The certificate can be viewed and downloaded online for 6 months. The access code serves as proof of the certificate's authenticity.
Payment Challenge for Non-Residents
The main challenge for people abroad is payment. Multibanco is a Portuguese payment system, and while credit cards are accepted, some international cards may be declined. This is one reason many people use professional document services.
Official Costs and Fees
The Portuguese government sets fixed fees for birth certificates. Here are the official prices as of November 2025:
| Certificate Type | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Online birth certificate | €10 | Digital format, valid 6 months via access code |
| Paper certificate (Social Security purposes) | €10 | For Portuguese Social Security or family allowance |
| Paper certificate (other purposes) | €20 | Standard paper certificate |
| International model certificate | €20 | Multilingual format, must request in person |
Source: justica.gov.pt — Last updated November 2025
Processing Time
Processing times vary depending on the method you choose:
- Online request: Usually 24-48 hours, often delivered by email the same day
- In-person at a Conservatória: Same day in most cases
- Through a consulate: Typically 1-4 weeks depending on the consulate
- By mail: 2-4 weeks including postal delivery
Note that older records (before computerization) or records from smaller parishes may take longer as they require manual research in archives.
Do You Need an Apostille?
If you're using your Portuguese birth certificate in another country, you'll likely need an Apostille — an international certification that authenticates the document for use abroad.
The Apostille is required for countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention (which includes most countries in Europe, the Americas, and many others). The official fee for an Apostille in Portugal is €10.20.
Countries that are NOT members of the Hague Convention require full consular legalization, which is a more complex and time-consuming process.
Need an Apostille?
We can obtain your birth certificate with apostille included, saving you time and hassle.
Learn About Apostille ServicesWhen to Use a Professional Service
While it's possible to request a Portuguese birth certificate yourself, many people choose to use professional document services for several reasons:
- Payment issues: Difficulty paying with international cards or without Portuguese banking
- Language barrier: The Civil Online portal is primarily in Portuguese
- Authentication requirements: Some services require Portuguese digital ID
- Complex cases: Old records, name variations, or incomplete information
- Time constraints: Need for expedited processing
- Additional services: Apostille, certified translation, or document packages
Need a Portuguese Birth Certificate?
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