Apostille Service
Description
Hague Apostille certification for Portuguese documents to be used abroad. Valid in all Hague Convention countries.
About This Document
An Apostille is an international certification that authenticates the origin of a public document for use in countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. In Portugal, apostilles are issued by the Procuradoria-Geral da República (Attorney General's Office) and certify that a document is genuine and was properly issued by Portuguese authorities.
The Apostille Convention, formally known as the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents, simplifies the process of document authentication between member countries. Instead of the lengthy traditional legalization process involving multiple government offices and embassies, a single apostille stamp makes a document valid for use in any of the 120+ member countries.
Portuguese apostilles can be applied to various public documents including birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, criminal record certificates, academic diplomas, court documents, and notarized documents. The apostille is attached to the original document or a certified copy and includes a unique verification number.
How to Obtain This Document
To obtain an apostille for Portuguese documents independently:
Online through the Apostille Portal
Portugal offers an electronic apostille system (e-Apostille) for certain documents. This requires Portuguese digital credentials and the document must be in electronic format from an authorized source.
In Person at the Attorney General's Office
You can visit the Procuradoria-Geral da República offices in Lisbon, Porto, or Coimbra. Bring the original document or certified copy. Processing is typically same-day for standard requests.
By Mail
Documents can be sent by registered mail to the Attorney General's Office with payment and return postage. Processing takes approximately 5-10 business days.
Important Requirements
The document must be an original or certified copy from an official source. Photocopies cannot be apostilled. Some documents may need to be certified by a notary before apostille.
Document-Specific Considerations
Academic documents may need preliminary certification from the Ministry of Education. Commercial documents may require certification from the Chamber of Commerce before apostille.
Why Choose Portugal Papers
Our apostille service provides comprehensive document authentication:
End-to-End Service
We handle the entire process from obtaining the original document to applying the apostille. You don't need to coordinate between multiple offices.
Expert Knowledge
Different documents require different preparation before apostille. Our attorneys know exactly what's needed for each document type, avoiding rejections and delays.
No Travel Required
We physically present documents to the Attorney General's Office on your behalf, eliminating the need for you to travel to Portugal.
Verification
We verify that the apostille is correctly applied and the document is suitable for your intended use before delivery.
Combined Services
We can obtain the underlying document, apply the apostille, and arrange certified translation—all as a single coordinated service.
Express Processing
For urgent needs, we offer expedited service with faster turnaround times.
Ready to Get Started?
Let our licensed Portuguese attorneys handle your Apostille Service request. Fast, secure, and hassle-free.
What's Included
- Official document from Portuguese authorities
- Digital copy delivered via email
- Order tracking in your personal dashboard
- Direct communication with our team
Select delivery speed:
No hidden fees. Pay only after order confirmation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Helpful Guides
Learn more about Portuguese documents