A Portuguese Marriage Certificate, known as Certidão de Casamento, is an official document that serves as legal proof of a marriage registered in Portugal. This certificate is issued by the Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado (IRN).
What is a Portuguese Marriage Certificate?
The certificate contains essential information about the marriage, including the identification data of both spouses, the type of ceremony (civil or religious), and the date and location where the marriage was celebrated.
Whether you were married in Portugal or your marriage was registered with Portuguese authorities, you may need this certificate for various purposes such as immigration applications, legal proceedings, property transactions, or updating your marital status in other countries.
Who Can Request a Marriage Certificate?
In Portugal, anyone can request a marriage certificate — whether it's their own marriage or someone else's. Unlike some countries that restrict access to vital records, Portuguese law allows any person to obtain a marriage certificate without special authorization or proof of relationship.
How to Request a Marriage Certificate
Online (Civil Online)
The easiest way to obtain a Portuguese marriage 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
- Authenticate using your Portuguese Citizen Card digital certificate, professional card (for lawyers, notaries, solicitors), or proceed without authentication
- Fill in the required form with your personal data
- Select "Marriage Certificate" (Certidão de Casamento) as the document type
- Complete payment via ATM (Multibanco) or credit card
- Receive your access code, valid for 6 months
The online certificate code is legally equivalent to a paper certificate and can be presented to any authority that requires proof of marriage.
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)
- Registry Space (Espaço dos Registos)
- Portuguese Consulate (if you're abroad)
For in-person requests, you don't need to present any documents. Simply visit the office and provide the details of the marriage you're requesting information about.
Requesting from Abroad
If you're living outside Portugal and need a marriage certificate, you have several options:
- Online: Use the Civil Online platform (requires Portuguese digital ID or proceed without authentication)
- 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
Official Prices (2026)
The cost of a Portuguese marriage 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 (6-month access code) | €10 |
| Paper certificate (Social Security / family allowance) | €10 |
| Paper certificate (other purposes) | €20 |
Source: justica.gov.pt (Updated January 2026)
Processing Time
The time to receive your marriage certificate depends on the method you choose:
- Online (Civil Online): Instant — you receive the access code immediately after payment
- In person: Usually same day or within 1-3 business days
- By mail: 1-2 weeks depending on postal service
- Through Portugal Papers: 5 business days (standard) or 2 business days (express)
Apostille for International Use
Need an Apostille?
If you need to use your Portuguese marriage certificate in another country that is part of the Hague Convention, you'll need an apostille to authenticate the document. We can obtain both the certificate and apostille for you.
An apostille is an international certification that validates the authenticity of your Portuguese marriage certificate for use in countries that are members of the Hague Convention. Without an apostille, foreign authorities may not accept your certificate as valid.
Our Marriage Certificate Services
Portugal Papers obtains official Portuguese marriage certificates on your behalf. We handle the entire process — online, without your personal presence, anywhere in the world.
Marriage Certificate Service
We obtain official Portuguese marriage certificates:
- Official document from IRN
- Paper or digital format
- 5-day standard / 2-day express
- Worldwide courier delivery
Need an Apostille?
For international use, we can apostille your marriage certificate:
- Document compliance verification
- Apostille submission to IRN
- Collection and delivery to you
Need Multiple Documents?
Special pricing available!
Contact us for a personalized quote on multiple documents:
- Marriage + birth certificates
- Apostille for all documents
- Single courier shipment
Why Clients Choose Portugal Papers
Fully Online
No need to travel or communicate in Portuguese
Official Documents
Direct from IRN with verification
Express Option
2-day processing available
Worldwide Delivery
DHL/FedEx courier to your door
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a Portuguese marriage certificate?
Online certificates are issued instantly after payment. Paper certificates requested in person are typically ready within 1-3 business days. Through our service, we deliver within 5 business days (standard) or 2 business days (express).
Can I request a marriage certificate for someone else's marriage?
Yes, in Portugal anyone can request a marriage certificate, whether it's their own or a third party's marriage. No special authorization is required.
What's the difference between online and paper marriage certificates?
Online certificates provide a 6-month access code that is legally equivalent to a paper certificate. Paper certificates are physical documents that can be apostilled for international use.
Do I need an apostille for my Portuguese marriage certificate?
If you need to use your marriage certificate in another country that is part of the Hague Convention, yes, you'll need an apostille. We offer apostille services for all Portuguese documents.
What information is included in a Portuguese marriage certificate?
A Portuguese marriage certificate (Certidão de Casamento) includes the identification data of both spouses, the type of ceremony (civil or religious), the date and location where the marriage was celebrated, and the registration details.