How to Get a Portuguese Death Certificate
A Portuguese death certificate (Certidão de Óbito) is the official civil-registry evidence of a death registered in Portugal. It identifies the person who died and the date, time and place of death. It can be issued electronically or on paper, and anyone can request it.
What is a Portuguese Death Certificate?
The official civil certificate identifies the deceased and the date, time and place of death. The official service does not describe it as a medical cause-of-death record. If another authority requires medical or cause-of-death evidence, confirm the separate document it requires.
No Expiration Date
Portuguese death certificates have no expiration date (não tem validade). Once issued, they remain valid indefinitely. However, some institutions may request a recently issued certificate for their internal requirements.
Who Can Request a Death Certificate?
In Portugal, anyone can request a death certificate — whether they are a family member, heir, legal representative, or simply an interested party. Unlike some countries that restrict access to vital records, Portuguese law allows any person to obtain a death certificate without special authorization or proof of relationship.
When Do You Need a Death Certificate?
Common uses include inheritance or succession files, pension or insurance matters, bank/property/legal files, civil-status updates, foreign procedures requesting proof of death, and historical research. The authority or professional handling the matter determines the remaining documents required.
Official Prices (2026)
The cost of a Portuguese death certificate varies depending on the format and purpose. Here are the official fees set by the Portuguese government:
| Type of Certificate | Official Cost |
|---|---|
| Online certificate (access code, no expiry period) | €10 |
| Paper certificate | €20 |
Source: justica.gov.pt (Updated August 2025)
How to Request Online (Civil Online)
The easiest way to obtain a Portuguese death certificate is through the official Civil Online platform. Here's the step-by-step process:
- Access the Civil Online platform at civilonline.justica.gov.pt
- Click on "Pedido de certidão" (Certificate request)
- You can proceed without authentication or authenticate using:
- Portuguese Citizen Card digital certificate
- Professional card (lawyers, notaries, solicitors)
- Fill in the required form with the deceased's information
- Select "Óbito" (Death) as the certificate type
- Complete payment via bank reference (Multibanco) or credit card
- Receive your access code by email
When the online certificate is available, you receive an access code. The death-certificate code has no expiry period and has the same legal value as the paper certificate in Portugal. The official service does not publish one guaranteed instant processing SLA.
How to Request In Person
If you prefer a physical paper certificate, you can request it at the following locations:
- Civil Registry Office (Conservatória do Registo Civil)
- Citizen Shop (Loja do Cidadão)
- IRN Registry Space (Espaço dos Registos do IRN)
- Portuguese Consulate (if you're abroad)
For in-person requests, you generally don't need to present any documents. Simply visit the office and provide the details of the deceased person.
Requesting from Abroad
If you're living outside Portugal and need a death certificate, you have several options:
- Online: Use the Civil Online platform (works worldwide)
- Consulate: Visit or contact your nearest Portuguese consulate
- Mail: Send a written request to any Portuguese civil registry office
- Professional Service: Use a document retrieval service like Portugal Papers
Using the Certificate Abroad
Apostille is not automatically required. For death-related public documents covered by Regulation (EU) 2016/1191 and presented between EU Member States, apostille is not required. A multilingual standard form may help with language requirements and is attached to the public document as a translation aid. For other cases, confirm format, freshness, apostille/legalization, translation and delivery with the receiving authority.
Death Certificate for Inheritance
If you are arranging documents after a relative’s death, start with the request from the notary, bank, insurer or professional handling the file. A Portuguese death certificate provides evidence of the registered death. It does not, by itself, establish who is entitled to inherit.
The document list depends on the procedure. Tell us what has been requested so that the certificate, any related records and the preparation for its destination can be considered together.
Information that helps us understand the request
- Who is requesting the document and in which country it will be used.
- The wording of the request, including any stated format or issue-date requirement.
- The deceased person’s name, the date and place of death if known, and any record reference.
- Any certificate, access code or other record you already have.
If the recipient also requests family records, see our birth certificate and marriage certificate services. Order the records relevant to the file rather than assuming that every case needs the same set.
Choose the next step for the document
The next step depends on whether the record can be identified, whether you already have the certificate and what the recipient requires.
Request a death certificate
You have enough information to identify the Portuguese record and need a certificate. Start with the existing certificate service.
View the certificate serviceSearch with incomplete details
You have only part of the name, date, place or family information. The scope and price of the search are agreed individually, and a record may not be found.
View the record search serviceArrange an apostille when required
You already have a certificate and the destination requires an apostille. Tell us where it will be used and which format you hold.
View the apostille serviceArrange a certified translation
The recipient requires a translation. Tell us the destination language and the instructions supplied before arranging the work.
View the translation serviceAn apostille is not automatic. Covered death-related public documents presented to an authority in another EU Member State are exempt under Regulation (EU) 2016/1191. Confirm the applicable format and language requirements; paper delivery is arranged separately when needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can request it?
Any person.
Does the access code expire?
No.
Does the certificate expire?
The official service states that it has no expiry period, although another authority may ask for a recently issued certificate.
Does it show cause of death?
The official civil service describes person/date/time/place, not a medical cause-of-death record.
Is apostille always required abroad?
No.
Quick Facts
Official Cost
€10-€20
Access Code
No expiry period
Available From
Anywhere in the world
Issuing Authority
IRN (Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado)
Validity
No expiration date
Arrange your family’s document request
Request the certificate if the Portuguese record can be identified, or contact us to clarify the recipient’s instructions. Any search with incomplete information has its own scope and quote.