UNDERAGE APPLICANT OR INCAPABLE APPLICANT WHOSE PARENT(S) ACQUIRED PORTUGUESE NATIONALITY AFTER THE BIRTH OF THE APPLICANT:
Underage applicant or incapable applicant whose parent(s) acquired Portuguese nationality after the birth of the applicant can also acquire nationality by declaration.
Who is eligible?
The underage applicant or those incapable, of father or mother who have acquired Portuguese citizenship after the birth.
What documents are required?
• Declaration of acquisition declared by those exercising the paternal power when the applicant is underage. Can be represented by a lawyer. When the person(s) exercising the paternal power are not both parents, the application can be submitted by the person/authority exercising the paternal power in accordance with the law of the country where the child resides, provided there is legal documentation to prove that such paternal power was granted by the authorities of the country of residence.
• Birth certificate of the underage child or incapable individual, if possible, fully detailed and issued by photocopy of the original book, attested and legalised, accompanied by translation if not written in Portuguese. The birth certificate should provide evidence enough that the relationship between the child and the Portuguese parent was established before the age of 18 of the child.
• Integral copy of Birth certificate of father or mother, showing as an endorsement that the father or mother acquired Portuguese nationality, if possible by photocopy. If the parents are married to each other, the birth certificate of the Portuguese parent should contain an endorsement referring to the marriage registration. Even though this birth certificate can be obtained by the Portuguese services, it is advisable that you provide a plain copy of the birth certificate of the Portuguese parent.
•Document demonstrating the foreign nationality of the underage individual or incapable applicant, accompanied by translation if not written in Portuguese.
• If the applicant is more than 16 years old:
• Criminal record certificates obtained by the competent services of the country of original nationality, as well as from other countries where the applicant is known to have resided after 16 years old, accompanied by translation if not written in Portuguese. Although the applicant is not required to submit Portuguese criminal record, it is advisable that the applicant does submit it voluntarily.
• Documents that explain the extent of the public functions or non compulsory military service exercised in a foreign country.
• Documentary evidence that the applicant is connected to the Portuguese National Community.
Applications can be submitted in:
• Extensions of the Civil Registry Offices in Portugal;
• Civil Registry Offices in Portugal;
• Portuguese Consular Services.
Civil Registration Fees:
• € 120,00
ACQUISITION THROUGH MARRIAGE:
A foreigner married to a Portuguese national can acquire Portuguese Nationality 3 years after the marriage if he/she declared at the marriage ceremony that he/she wishes to acquire Portuguese Nationality through marriage.
Who can submit the application?
It is applicable to a foreigner married to a Portuguese national.
Who can make the declarations?
According to the Nationality Code, declarations for acquisition of Nationality can be made by the own applicant or by attorney, legally appointed through a valid Power of Attorney. A lawyer can also be instructed to proceed with the declarations.
What documents are required?
• Declaration of wish to acquire Portuguese nationality through marriage, declared at the time of the marriage.
• Birth certificate of the applicant, if possible, fully detailed and issued by photocopy of the original book, attested and legalised, accompanied by translation if not written in Portuguese.
• Birth certificate of the Portuguese spouse with the marriage endorsement, integral copy and if possible by photocopy. Even though this birth certificate can be obtained by the Portuguese services, it is advisable that you provide a plain copy of the birth certificate of the Portuguese spouse.
• Marriage certificate, integral copy and if possible by photocopy. Even though this marriage certificate can be obtained by the Portuguese services, it is advisable that you provide a plain copy of the marriage certificate. If the marriage occurred outside Portugal, the marriage should be transcribed to the Portuguese Civil Registry with clear record of the type of marriage (civil, catholic, religious non catholic).
• Document demonstrating the foreign nationality of the underage individual or incapable applicant, accompanied by translation if not written in Portuguese.
• Criminal record certificates obtained by the competent services of the country of original nationality, as well as from other countries where the applicant is known to have resided after 16 years old, accompanied by translation if not written in Portuguese. Although the applicant is not required to submit Portuguese criminal record, it is advisable that the applicant does submit it voluntarily.
• Documents that explain the extent of the public functions or non compulsory military service exercised in a foreign country.
• Documentary evidence that the applicant is connected to the Portuguese National Community.
Applications can be submitted in:
• Extensions of the Civil Registry Offices in Portugal;
• Civil Registry Offices in Portugal;
• Portuguese Consular Services.
Civil Registration Fees:
• € 175,00
ACQUISITION THROUGH A LONG UNMARRIED LOVE RELATIONSHIP:
The foreigner who, at the time of the declaration, lives in a long time loving relationship of more than 3 years with a Portuguese national is eligible to acquire Portuguese nationality if that relationship is confirmed by a civil court or tribunal.
Who is eligible?
It is applicable to a foreigner who lives together with a Portuguese nationality, in the same situation as a married couple, for more than 3 years, provided there is a court judgement confirming that fact. The long time love relationship confirmed to be the reason for the acquisition of Portuguese nationality can be recognised or declared in a foreign country, by court judgement or administrative action, but to be recognised in Portugal it must be decided and confirmed by a Portuguese civil court.
Who can make the declarations?
According to the Nationality Code, declarations for acquisition of Nationality can be made by the own applicant or by attorney, legally appointed through a valid Power of Attorney. A lawyer can be instructed to proceed with the declarations.
What documents are required?
• Declaration that a long love relationship exists for more than 3 years.
• Birth certificate of the applicant, if possible, fully detailed and issued by photocopy of the original book, attested and legalised, accompanied by translation if not written in Portuguese.
• Birth certificate of the Portuguese partner, integral copy and if possible by photocopy. Even though this birth certificate can be obtained by the Portuguese services, it is advisable that you provide a plain copy of the birth certificate of the Portuguese partner.
• Certificate of the court judgement confirming the foreign applicant lives in a long time love relationship for more than 3 years with the Portuguese partner.
• Document demonstrating the foreign nationality of the underage individual or incapable applicant, accompanied by translation if not written in Portuguese.
• Declaration dated not more than 3 months, issued by the Portuguese partner confirming that the long time love relationship exists
• Criminal record certificates obtained by the competent services of the country of original nationality, as well as from other countries where the applicant is known to have resided after 16 years old, accompanied by translation if not written in Portuguese. Although the applicant is not required to submit Portuguese criminal record, it is advisable that the applicant does submit it voluntarily.
• Documents that explain the extent of the public functions or non compulsory military service exercised in a foreign country.
• Documentary evidence that the applicant is connected to the Portuguese National Community.
Applications can be submitted in:
• Extensions of the Civil Registry Offices in Portugal;
• Extensions of the Civil Registry Offices in Portugal;
• Portuguese Consular Services.
Civil Registration Fees:
• € 175,00
ACQUISITION BY THOSE WHO HAD PORTUGUESE NATIONALITY BEFORE BUT LOST IT BEFORE THE AGE OF 18 YEARS OLD:
Those who lost Portuguese Nationality by declaration issued before the age of 18 years old are eligible to acquire it again through declaration.
Who is eligible?
It is applicable to a foreigner who, having been a Portuguese national in the past, lost Portuguese nationality while he/she was a minor or incapable, by declaration issued by the person(s) exercising the paternal power.
Who can make the declarations?
According to the Nationality Code, declarations for acquisition of Nationality can be made by the own applicant or by attorney, legally appointed through a valid Power of Attorney. A lawyer can be instructed to proceed with the declarations.
What documents are required?
• Declaration of acquisition;
• Birth certificate of the applicant, integral copy and if possible by photocopy, with endorsement that the applicant lost Portuguese Nationality in the past. Even though this birth certificate can be obtained by the Portuguese services, it is advisable that you provide a plain copy of the birth certificate of the applicant;
• Document demonstrating the foreign nationality of the underage individual or incapable applicant, accompanied by translation if not written in Portuguese;
• Criminal record certificates obtained by the competent services of the country of original nationality, as well as from other countries where the applicant is known to have resided after 16 years old, accompanied by translation if not written in Portuguese. Although the applicant is not required to submit Portuguese criminal record, it is advisable that the applicant does submit it voluntarily;
• Documents that explain the extent of the public functions or non compulsory military service exercised in a foreign country;
• Documentary evidence of eligibility when it is not obvious from the birth certificate.
Applications can be submitted in:
• Extensions of the Civil Registry Offices in Portugal;
• Civil Registry Offices in Portugal;
• Portuguese Consular Services.
Civil Registration Fees:
• € 175,00
ACQUISITION OF NATIONALITY THROUGH ADOPTION:
The adopted child by a Portuguese national acquires Portuguese Nationality.
Who is eligible?
It is applicable to foreigners adopted by Portuguese nationals, by decision dated after the Nationality Law n. 37/81, of 3rd October. In our opinion, there is no reason why we should exclude those who were adopted before that date. If the court decision of the adoption is from a foreign court, it must be confirmed by a Portuguese court first, before it can be used for acquisition of Portuguese nationality, except if there is an agreement between both countries exempting it.
What documents are required?
If the adopted individual was born outside Portugal, the following documents are required:
• Birth certificate of the applicant, if possible, fully detailed and issued by photocopy of the original book, attested and legalised, accompanied by translation if not written in Portuguese;
• Birth certificate of the Portuguese parent who is adopting, integral copy and if possible by photocopy. Even though this birth certificate can be obtained by the Portuguese services, it is advisable that you provide a plain copy of the birth certificate of the Portuguese partner;
• Certificate from the court confirming the adoption. If the decision was taken by a foreign court, it must be first reviewed and confirmed by a Portuguese court except if there is an agreement between both countries exempting it. The Portuguese court that confirms the adoption must issue a certificate so that the civil registry can endorse the decision of adoption in the birth certificate of the adopted;
• If the adopted is older than 16 years old, Criminal record certificates obtained by the competent services of the country of original nationality, as well as from other countries where the applicant is known to have resided after 16 years old, accompanied by translation if not written in Portuguese. Although the applicant is not required to submit Portuguese criminal record, it is advisable that the applicant does submit it voluntarily;
• Documents that explain the extent of the public functions or non compulsory military service exercised in a foreign country if the adopted is older than 16 years old.
If the adopted was born in Portugal, the following documents are required:
• Birth certificate of the Portuguese parent who is adopting, integral copy and if possible by photocopy. Even though this birth certificate can be obtained by the Portuguese services, it is advisable that you provide a plain copy of the birth certificate of the Portuguese partner;
• Certificate from the court confirming the adoption. The Portuguese court that confirmed the adoption must issue a certificate so that the civil registry can endorse the decision of adoption in the birth certificate of the adopted;
• If the adopted is older than 16 years old, Criminal record certificates obtained by the competent services of the country of original nationality, as well as from other countries where the applicant is known to have resided after 16 years old, accompanied by translation if not written in Portuguese. Although the applicant is not required to submit Portuguese criminal record, it is advisable that the applicant does submit it voluntarily;
• Documents that explain the extent of the public functions or non compulsory military service exercised in a foreign country if the adopted is older than 16 years old.
Applications can be submitted in:
• Central Civil Registry office of Lisbon if the birth occurred outside Portugal;
• Civil Registry Offices in Portugal;
• Portuguese Consular Services.
Civil Registration Fees:
• Free of charge.
ACQUISITION BY A PORTUGUESE WOMAN WHO LOST NATIONALITY BECAUSE OF HER MARRIAGE TO A FOREIGNER:
Applicable to women who lost Portuguese nationality in exchange by another nationality by virtue of marriage to a foreigner, in accordance to Law nº 2098, of 29 July 1959, and prior legislation.
Who can make the declarations?
According to the Nationality Code, declarations for acquisition of Nationality can be made by the own applicant or by attorney, legally appointed through a valid Power of Attorney. A lawyer can be instructed to proceed with the declarations.
What documents are required?
• If the registration of loss of nationality is registered in the Central Civil Registry Office of Lisbon, the registration must be identified;
• If the loss of nationality was not registered, the following is required:
• Document demonstrating the foreign nationality of the applicant wife, with information detailing the date and the reason for the acquisition of foreign nationality, accompanied by translation if not written in Portuguese;
• Portuguese Birth certificate of the wife with the marriage endorsement, integral copy and if possible by photocopy. Even though this birth certificate can be obtained by the Portuguese services, it is advisable that you provide a plain copy of the birth certificate of the wife.
Applications can be submitted in:
• Central Civil Registry office of Lisbon if the birth occurred outside Portugal;
• Civil Registry Offices in Portugal;
• Portuguese Consular Services.
Civil Registration Fees:
• Free of charge.
ACQUISITION BY THOSE WHO WERE PORTUGUESE NATIONALS BEFORE BUT LOST NATIONALITY BECAUSE THEY VOLUNTARILY ACQUIRED A FOREIGN NATIONALITY:
Applicable to Portuguese who voluntarily acquired a foreign nationality, before the entering into effect of Nationality Law n. 37/81, of 3rd October, and who have their registration of loss of nationality registered in the Central Civil Registration Office of Lisbon, as long as they declare that they want to be Portuguese.
Who can make the declarations?
According to the Nationality Code, declarations for acquisition of Nationality can be made by the own applicant or by attorney, legally appointed through a valid Power of Attorney. A lawyer can be instructed to proceed with the declarations.
What documents are required?
• Birth certificate of the applicant, integral copy and if possible by photocopy. Even though this birth certificate can be obtained by the Portuguese services, it is advisable that you provide a plain copy of the birth certificate of the applicant.
Applications can be submitted in:
• Central Civil Registry office of Lisbon if the birth occurred outside Portugal;
• Civil Registry Offices in Portugal;
• Portuguese Consular Services.
Civil Registration Fees:
• Free of charge.
