Portuguese Criminal Record Certificate: Complete Guide for International Use

If you're a Portuguese citizen living abroad, or have ever lived in Portugal, you may need a Portuguese criminal record certificate for various procedures in other countries. This document, officially called Certificado do Registo Criminal, confirms the absence of criminal convictions in Portugal and is required for citizenship applications, work permits, visas, and many other purposes.

What Is a Certificado do Registo Criminal

A Portuguese criminal record certificate is an official document issued by the General Directorate of Justice Administration (Direção-Geral da Administração da Justiça, DGAJ). It contains information about any criminal convictions for persons aged 16 and over.

Information Included in the Certificate

When Is a Portuguese Criminal Record Certificate Required

1. Citizenship Applications in Other Countries

This is the most common reason for requesting the certificate. When applying for naturalization in almost any country, you must provide criminal record certificates from all countries where you have lived for a certain period (usually 6-12 months after reaching age 16-18).

Countries with this requirement:

• USA — certificates from all countries of residence over 6 months after age 18
• UK — certificates from all countries of residence over 12 months after age 18
• Canada — certificates from all countries of residence over 6 months after age 18
• Australia — certificates from all countries of residence over 12 months after age 16
• Germany, France, Spain and other EU countries — similar requirements
• Brazil, Argentina and other Latin American countries

2. Residence Permits in Other Countries

Many countries require criminal record certificates for initial visa applications or renewals.

Examples:

• UAE — for residence visas, certificates from all countries of residence in the last 5 years
• Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait — similar requirements for work visas
• Thailand — for long-term visas (Elite, LTR)
• Indonesia — for KITAS/KITAP visas
• Mexico — for temporary and permanent residence
• Singapore, Hong Kong — for work visas

3. Employment Abroad

Certain categories of employers require criminal record certificates from all countries where candidates have lived.

4. International Adoption

International adoption agencies require criminal record certificates from all countries where prospective adoptive parents have lived after reaching adulthood. This is a standard requirement under the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption.

5. Professional Licensing

When obtaining professional licenses in a new country, proof of no criminal record is often required.

Professions with this requirement:

• Lawyers and legal professionals
• Doctors and medical staff
• Accountants and auditors
• Financial advisors
• Teachers
• Social workers

6. Business Registration and Licensing

In some jurisdictions, company registration or certain licenses (e.g., alcohol sales, gambling, financial services) require criminal record certificates from founders and directors.

How to Obtain the Certificate from Outside Portugal

There are several ways to obtain a Certificado do Registo Criminal for those living abroad.

Method 1: Online via Registo Criminal Portal (for Cartão de Cidadão holders)

If you have a Portuguese Cartão de Cidadão (citizen card) with activated PIN codes and a card reader, or an activated Chave Móvel Digital (digital mobile key), you can order the certificate online:

1. Go to registocriminal.justica.gov.pt
2. Authenticate with Cartão de Cidadão or Chave Móvel Digital
3. Complete the form and pay (€5 via Multibanco)
4. Certificate will be ready within 3 business days

Method 2: Online Form for Foreign Residents (without Portuguese ID)

For those without a Portuguese Cartão de Cidadão, a special form is available:

1. Go to registocriminal.justica.gov.pt/ResiEstrangeiros
2. Complete the online form
3. Download the completed form and sign it (signature must match your ID document)
4. Send the form with ID copy and payment confirmation
5. Certificate will be sent to the specified address

Cost: €5 (online) or €8.25 (with registered international mail delivery)

Method 3: By Phone

If you have an activated Chave Móvel Digital and the autenticação.gov app on your smartphone with biometrics:

1. Call +351 210 489 010 (business days, 09:00-18:00 Lisbon time)
2. Follow the operator's instructions
3. Certificate will be sent to the specified email

Method 4: Through a Portuguese Consulate

Portuguese citizens can apply for a criminal record certificate at the Portuguese consulate in their country of residence.

Method 5: Through an Authorized Representative in Portugal

You can authorize another person in Portugal to obtain the certificate on your behalf:

1. Prepare a power of attorney (declaração de autorização) — form available on justica.gov.pt
2. Provide your representative with a copy of your ID with signature and note "autorizo esta cópia exclusivamente para a emissão do meu certificado de registo criminal"
3. Representative applies at any balcão dos Serviços de Identificação Criminal

Apostille: Mandatory for International Use

What Is an Apostille?

An apostille is a special stamp confirming document authenticity for use in countries that are parties to the 1961 Hague Convention.

How to Get an Apostille on a Criminal Record Certificate

Countries Not Party to the Hague Convention

For countries that have not signed the Hague Convention (e.g., UAE, China, Canada), consular legalization is required instead of an apostille. This is a more complex procedure involving:

1. Certification at the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs
2. Certification at the destination country's consulate in Portugal

Certificate Validity Period

The validity period depends on the requirements of the receiving party:

Certificate Translation

For use abroad, the certificate usually requires translation into the destination country's language or into English.

Translation requirements:

• Translation must be done by a certified translator
• Some countries require notarized translation
• In some cases, the translation also requires an apostille

Our Criminal Record Certificate Services

Portugal Papers offers a complete range of services for obtaining Portuguese criminal record certificates. We handle everything for you — online, without your personal presence, anywhere in the world.

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Article prepared by the Portugal Papers team. Last updated: January 2026.