If you are moving to Portugal, applying for Portuguese nationality, sorting a visa or residence, getting married, registering a life event, or starting a job, you will often be asked for UK documents that are “legalised”. In most cases, that means getting a Hague Apostille issued in the UK, then arranging a Portuguese translation where needed.
This guide focuses on the documents we see most from Portuguese British clients: UK birth certificates, marriage certificates, ACRO Police Certificates, degree certificates, and medical certificates, plus common paperwork for Portuguese citizenship, visas, and residence.
Do I need an Apostille for Portugal?
In most situations, yes. Portugal is part of the Hague Apostille Convention, so Portuguese authorities typically accept a UK document once it has a UK Apostille attached. In practical terms, the Apostille is the international confirmation that the UK signature, seal, or stamp on your document is genuine.
If your document is not eligible to go straight to Apostille, it may need to be certified first by a UK solicitor or a UK notary public. That is common for degree certificates, Powers of Attorney, declarations, etc.
Which UK documents usually need an Apostille for Portugal?
The most common UK documents we legalise for Portugal include:
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate
- ACRO Police Certificate
- Degree certificate and academic awards
- Medical certificate for visa applications
- Deed poll and change of name documents
- Power of Attorney for property, banking, or legal matters
- Corporate documents for business activity in Portugal
If you are unsure, a good rule is this: if a Portuguese authority is relying on a UK issued fact, identity, status, qualification, clean criminal record, or signature, they often want an Apostille.
How do I legalise a UK birth certificate for Portugal?
To legalise a UK birth certificate for use in Portugal, you usually need the original official certificate, then a paper Apostille, and then a Portuguese translation if the receiving office requests it.
Typical steps
- Check the certificate type. Portuguese authorities often ask for a full birth certificate rather than a short version.
- Confirm it is an original official certificate. If you only have a scan or a photocopy, you may need to order a fresh original from the GRO before legalisation.
- Get the Apostille. UK civil registry certificates normally go through the paper Apostille route.
- Arrange the Portuguese translation if required. If the translation is done in the UK, the translation itself may also need an Apostille, depending on where you are submitting the document in Portugal.
Tip: name details matter. If your name on the UK certificate differs from your current passport, you may need supporting documents such as a marriage certificate or change of name document, and those may also need legalisation.
How do I legalise a UK marriage certificate for Portugal?
The process is similar to a birth certificate: use the original marriage certificate, obtain the UK Apostille, then add a Portuguese translation if needed for the specific procedure in Portugal.
Marriage certificates are commonly requested for Portuguese nationality applications, family reunification, residence related matters, and civil registration in Portugal.
Don’t have your certificate? You can order a fresh new copy directly from the GRO.
Pro-tip: Avoid delays by getting the GRO to deliver your certificate directly to the WLS London Office.
How do I legalise an ACRO Police Certificate for Portugal?
If you are applying for a Portuguese visa or residence route that requires a criminal record check, you may be asked for an ACRO Police Certificate. When it is needed for Portugal, it is commonly submitted with a UK Apostille and often a Portuguese translation.
Key points to avoid delays
- Use the original ACRO certificate. Copies and scans are not accepted for Apostille.
- Don’t have an ACRO? Order one directly from ACRO Police Check website.
- Plan for paper Apostille. Certain document types, including ACRO Police Certificates, are not eligible for the UK e-Apostille route.
- Check validity windows. Many visa processes expect police certificates issued recently (less than 3 months), so time your order carefully.
If you need help ordering the ACRO Police Certificate and then legalising it, we can guide you through the whole sequence so you do not lose time doing it twice.
Pro-tip: Avoid delays by getting the ACRO to deliver your certificate directly to the WLS London Office.
How do I legalise a UK degree certificate for Portugal?
Degree certificates often need an extra step before Apostille. Portuguese institutions may require the degree certificate to be certified by a Notary Public or Solicitor first. Once certified, it can then be submitted for the UK Apostille.
Common situations where degrees are requested
- Professional registration in Portugal
- Employment onboarding
- University applications and recognition processes
- Visa routes that request proof of qualifications
If you are also asked for transcripts, letters from the university, or copies of passports, the correct certification method matters.
This is where most applications can go wrong when submitted without checks.
Request a review and a quote for your legalisation requirements.
How do I legalise a UK medical certificate for Portugal?
Some Portuguese visa applications require a medical certificate. To be eligible for Apostille, the medical certificate typically needs to be signed by an appropriate UK registered medical professional, then legalised with an Apostille. Translation requirements depend on the visa route and where you apply.
If you are unsure what wording or format is acceptable, it is worth confirming the receiving authority requirements before you arrange the signature and Apostille.
Do I need a certified translation into Portuguese?
Often, yes. Many Portuguese authorities expect documents to be in Portuguese, especially civil registry and nationality procedures. Even when English is sometimes accepted, a Portuguese translation can prevent last minute requests that delay appointments.
Two important translation rules
- Translation and legalisation must match. If you translate in the UK, then the certified translation may also need an Apostille for use in Portugal.
- Do not translate first unless you know the route. In some cases, the safest approach is to Apostille the original first, then translate the final Apostilled document.
WLS provides notary or solicitor certified translation services and can bundle translation with Apostille, where required.
What documents do I need to prepare for Portuguese citizenship applications?
Portuguese nationality applications vary by route, but UK documents commonly used include birth certificates, marriage certificates, and ACRO criminal record certificates, all prepared for use in Portugal with Apostille and translation into Portuguese.
For an official starting point, check the Portuguese Consulate guidance for nationality applications and the Portuguese civil registry and nationality authority pages. You can then work backwards to prepare each UK document in the required format.
Useful official resources:
- Consulate General of Portugal in London: Nationality
- IRN: Portuguese registries and nationality services
What documents are commonly required for Portuguese visas and residence?
Document lists vary by visa type, but many applicants are asked for proof of identity, accommodation, means of support, and supporting civil status documents. Some routes also request ACRO criminal record evidence and, in certain cases, medical documentation. Foreign public documents are often expected to be legalised and translated where applicable.
Useful official resources:
- Portugal national visas: residency documentation
- VFS Global: Portugal visa applications in the UK
- AIMA: residence and migration information
What is the cost of an Apostille in the UK?
The UK Apostille fee depends on the service type. The standard paper Apostille has a government fee per document, plus return delivery costs. There is also an e-Apostille option for eligible documents, and restricted faster services for registered users in specific restrictive circumstances.
Always check the current official fees and timescales before you submit. Official guidance is here:
Important: additional costs can apply if your document needs solicitor certification, notary services, and translation before it can be legalised.
How long does it take to receive an Apostille?
Time depends on the route you choose and whether your document is prepared correctly. Standard government processing for paper Apostilles via postal service can take around 15 working day, plus delivery time. e-Apostilles can be faster but, the document needs to be e-notarised first, and are not widely accepted.
If you have a tight deadline, WLS offers next day Apostille services for many document types once your paperwork is ready and received on time. That is exactly why people use a specialist: you avoid the slow route and reduce the risk of rejection.
How do I request an Apostille in the UK?
You can apply directly through the UK Legalisation Office online, then send your documents by post for checking and legalisation. This works well if your document is already in the correct format and you are confident about certification rules.
Why direct applications get rejected
- the document is a scan, copy, or not properly certified
- the signature or stamp is not recognised by the Legalisation Office
- the wrong certificate type is submitted
- the translation and certification route does not match Portugal requirements
If a document is submitted directly to the FCDO and for some reason incorrectly issued or certified, the FCDO will reject the document and will not refund the Apostille fee.
If you want more confidence, WLS checks your documents first, arranges solicitor or notary certification where needed, arranges the certified translation from English to Portuguese and then submits for Apostille using the correct route.
How WLS helps you legalise UK documents for Portugal
We make the process simple and fast:
- Tell us what you are doing in Portugal. Citizenship, visa, residence, work, study, property, or family matters.
- We confirm the correct preparation route. Whether you need original documents, solicitor certification, notary services, certified translation, or all of the above.
- We process Apostille with speed options. Including next day services for many documents.
- We return your documents securely. UK or international delivery, or collection options depending on your needs.
We also have a Portuguese speaking team in our UK office, so if you do not feel comfortable handling legal terminology in English, you can speak with us in Portuguese.
How to get an Apostille Legalization Quote for Portugal?
Fill out the form below to receive a quote. If you tell us which documents you have and what you are submitting them for in Portugal, we can confirm the quickest compliant route.
Request Pricing - Apostille Services
Frequently asked questions about Apostilles for Portugal
What is an Apostille and what does it prove?
A Hague Apostille is an official certificate attached to a UK public document to confirm the signature, capacity, and seal are authentic. It helps your UK document be accepted in Portugal under the Hague Apostille Convention, without needing extra embassy legalisation in most cases.
Can I use the UK e-Apostille (Electronic Apostille) for Portugal?
Sometimes, but not always. Only certain document types are eligible, and some receiving authorities still prefer paper Apostilles. UK civil registry certificates and ACRO Police Certificates are commonly handled through the paper Apostille route. If you want certainty for Portugal, we can advise the safest option for your specific documents.
Do I need an Apostille on the translation as well?
Most likely, yes. If the translation is certified in the UK and will be used in Portugal, Portuguese authorities may expect that UK certification to be Apostilled too. This is why planning the order of steps matters.
Is an Apostille the same as notarisation?
No. Notarisation or solicitor certification is often a preparation step that makes a private document eligible for Apostille. The Apostille itself is issued by the UK Legalisation Office.
Can WLS help if I am in Portugal already?
Yes. Clients often courier documents to us from Portugal. We can legalise them in the UK and return them by secure delivery.
About the Author: Emerson De Queiroz Barbosa
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