Police clearance certificate is an official document issued by the internal affairs authorities confirming that a person currently has no criminal record and is not wanted in connection with a criminal offense. Alternatively, it may confirm that the person's previous convictions have been expunged.
A police clearance certificate may often be required in the following situations:
- Obtaining a visa;
- Applying for a temporary residence permit;
- Applying for a residence permit;
- Obtaining citizenship;
- Employment;
- Admission to an educational institution;
- Background checks for adoption and guardianship;
- Providing evidence in court;
- Entering into marriage.
What Is a Police Clearance Certificate in Portugal?
In Portugal, a police clearance certificate is officially referred to as a “Criminal Record Certificate” (certificado de registo criminal). The authority responsible for maintaining criminal records and issuing police clearance certificates in Portugal is the Directorate-General for Justice Administration (Direção-Geral da Administração da Justiça — DGAJ). Certificates are issued through its Directorate of Criminal Identification Services (Direção de Serviços de Identificação Criminal — DSIC).
The issuance of police clearance certificates in Portugal is regulated by Law No. 37/2015, Decree-Law No. 171/2015, and other regulatory acts.
A police clearance certificate is a paper or electronic public document generated on the basis of information held by the Directorate-General for Justice Administration. The document is issued in Portuguese.
A Portuguese police clearance certificate contains the following information:
- first and last name;
- place and date of birth;
- nationality;
- personal identification number;
- the information to be certified (criminal convictions, restrictions, etc.).
If a court prohibits the person concerned from engaging in any type of activity (public, professional, etc.), this is also indicated on the certificate.
The validity period of a Portuguese police clearance certificate is 90 days (however, some organizations may require a more recently issued certificate).
In paper form, the certificate is a standardized document issued on an official form, while in electronic form, it is a digital file.
Only a paper police clearance certificate bearing the signature of an authorized official and an official seal is suitable for apostille and subsequent use abroad.
How to obtain a Police Clearance Certificate in Portugal
There are several main ways to obtain a police clearance certificate in Portugal:
- apply in person at one of the designated service centers;
- submit a request by mail;
- submit a request by telephone;
- obtain the service electronically through a dedicated digital service using the Digital Mobile Key, Citizen Card, or European authentication system.
Certificate in person in paper form
To obtain a police clearance certificate in person in paper form in Portugal, you must visit a designated service center: the service desk at the Directorate of Criminal Identification Services, a court by appointment, a Citizen Support Center by appointment, or a “shop” of the Integrated Citizen Support Network (on the Azores).
When applying, you must bring an identity document (Citizen Card, passport, or residence permit), as well as a document confirming your residence at a specific address.
The certificate contains a special code that allows it to be viewed online.
For apostille and use abroad, only an officially signed certificate bearing a seal and signature is suitable.
Certificate by mail
This service is available only to Portuguese citizens residing abroad.
To start the process of obtaining a Portuguese police clearance certificate by mail, you need to download and complete a special application form online, submit the request through a dedicated online service or by mail to the DGAJ, and then receive the certificate by email or regular mail (at your choice).
Electronic Certificate
There are several ways to obtain a Portuguese police clearance certificate electronically:
- through the dedicated online service — by accessing the “My Criminal Record Certificate” section, authenticating with a Citizen Card or Digital Mobile Key, creating a “New Order,” completing and submitting the relevant form;
- by mobile phone (smartphone) via the 300 003 990 helpline using the Digital Mobile Key and the GOV.PT mobile application.
Certificate by power of attorney
In Portugal, it is possible to obtain a police clearance certificate on behalf of another person. If the person is an adult, a power of attorney and a copy of their identity document are required. If the person is a minor under the applicant's care, documents confirming the applicant's legal relationship with the minor must be provided.
When obtaining a police clearance certificate, personal details should be carefully checked. Any error or typo may render the document invalid.
Certificate through a consulate
To obtain a police clearance certificate through a Portuguese consulate or the consular section of a Portuguese embassy abroad, the following documents must be provided:
- application;
- identity document;
- proof of payment of the fee.
Processing Time for a Police Clearance Certificate in Portugal
The overall processing time for a police clearance certificate in Portugal may vary depending on the delivery time.
Apostille for a Portuguese Police Clearance Certificate
The Portuguese Republic is a party to the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961, which established a simplified procedure for the legalization of documents through apostille. Portugal ratified the Convention on December 6, 1968, and the Convention entered into force in Portugal on February 4, 1969.
An apostille is an internationally standardized form used to certify the authenticity of a document for presentation in countries and states that recognize this form of legalization. It usually takes the form of a special stamp or certificate. In recent years, however, electronic apostilles (e-Apostilles) have also become increasingly common — a special digital certification confirming the authenticity of documents issued in electronic form.
Apostilles on Portuguese police clearance certificates are issued by the Public Prosecutor General through the prosecution authorities to which the relevant powers have been delegated in the particular region. To apply for an apostille, you must have the complete set of required documents and the application form.
What is an apostille?
What is an apostille? Why do I need an apostille? How do I get an apostille? - Our video will explain everything you need to know about the apostille. If you have a document that needs to be certified with an apostille for use abroad, Schmidt and Schmidt will assist you! We provide apostille services in more than 100 countries worldwide.
Consular legalization of a Portuguese Police Clearance Certificate
If the country where the Portuguese police clearance certificate is to be used is not a party to the 1961 Hague Convention, such as the UAE, the document must undergo the more costly and complex procedure of consular legalization.
Consular legalization is a multi-step procedure for certifying the authenticity of a document, used for countries that are not parties to the 1961 Hague Convention.
To complete the consular legalization of a Portuguese police clearance certificate, the following procedure must be followed:
- obtain the police clearance certificate;
- have the certificate legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
- obtain an official translation of the document;
- have the document legalized at the consulate or consular section of the embassy of the destination country.
Due to the large number of steps involved, this procedure can be time-consuming and quite costly. Some countries do not have consulates in Portugal, in which case the final stage of legalization may need to be completed in another country where the relevant consulate is located.
What is consular legalization?
In our video we are explaining what consular legalization is and where to apply for it.
Schmidt & Schmidt will assist you in all issues concerning the legalization.
Schmidt & Schmidt offers legalization in more than 80 countries all over the world.
Official translation of a Portuguese Police Clearance Certificate
A Portuguese police clearance certificate is issued in Portuguese. To use it abroad, an official translation must be prepared in accordance with the requirements of the country where the document will be submitted — by a sworn, certified, notarial, or court translator in the country of destination.
A translation of the certificate prepared in Portugal (unless the consular legalization procedure is being used) is unlikely to be accepted abroad.
Document delivery
After obtaining and apostilling or legalizing a police clearance certificate, it is often necessary to send the document to another country. In such cases, not only the speed but also the security of delivery is important, especially when dealing with original official documents.
Schmidt & Schmidt organizes international document delivery worldwide. We use reliable logistics solutions and modern tracking systems, allowing you to monitor the shipment at every stage and ensuring its timely delivery to the recipient.
Our specialists ensure careful and confidential handling of documents and assist with any issues that may arise during international shipping, including carrier requirements and customs clearance procedures.
We can arrange delivery of a completed police clearance certificate, apostilled documents, translations, and other official documents to most countries worldwide — both for private clients and for legal companies and organizations.
How can we help?
We will be happy to assist you with obtaining a police clearance certificate in Portugal, including requesting the certificate, obtaining an apostille or legalization for use abroad, as well as translation and delivery to any destination worldwide.
You can always contact Schmidt & Schmidt. We have extensive experience in requesting and legalizing a wide range of documents and provide all the necessary services in this area, including obtaining notarized copies, translation, preparation of the necessary powers of attorney, legalization of documents with government authorities and consulates of foreign states, as well as delivery of completed documents to most countries worldwide.
For more information about the legalization and apostille procedures, please visit our website.
