To be valid in Portugal, documents issued by official or private entities in the United States must be legalized by the Portuguese Consulate of the area where they were issued.
All documents submitted for legalization must be originals or certified copies, duly signed by the issuing entity and containing the white seal.
Documents issued by official US entities
Birth certificates, marriage and death certificates, school documents, criminal records and documents issued by the Courts may be legalized at the Consulate or by means of an “Apostille” issued by the Secretary of State of the state where the document was issued. Documents with “Apostille” do not require consular legalization.
Official documents submitted for legalization must be originals or certified copies, duly signed by the issuing entity and authenticated with the white or oil seal.
Other documents
Certificates issued by doctors, veterinarians, or others issued by private entities must be presented in the original or certified copy, duly signed by the issuing authority and the signatures legalized by an American Notary Public.
Documents Drawn by the Applicants themselves
Powers, declarations, authorizations and other documents drawn up by the applicant himself may be signed at the Consulate before a consular officer.
The documents submitted by mail must contain the signature of the applicant duly legalized by the American Public Notary.
In both cases the applicants must present Identity Card or another photo identification document and signature.
Legalization of Photocopies
Photocopies of any documents for legalization must be accompanied by the original document or the copy must be duly legalized by an American Notary Public.
CONSULAR FEES
USD $ 15.98 – Face Recognition / Letter Recognition
USD $ 15.98 – Notary Public Signature Recognition
USD $ 24.51 – Legalization of Photocopy, Certificate of Authenticity
USD $ 31.97 – Authentication Term
Payment to be made in cash or Money Order, to the order of “Consulate of Portugal”. Personal checks are not accepted.
SHIPMENT OF DOCUMENTS BY MAIL
In the mail order, please add a pre-addressed and prepaid envelope or alternatively, add the amount of $ 20.00 or $ 6.00 to the Money Order of the consular fee for Express Mail or Priority Mail.
Fees subject to change due to changes in the Euro / Dollar exchange rate