How to Get Portuguese Birth Certificate: Complete Guide (2025)

A Portuguese birth certificate is an official document that records an individual’s birth in Portugal, containing essential details such as name, date of birth, and parentage. It plays a crucial role in legal and administrative processes, from applying for national ID to handling Portuguese citizenship matters.

Whether for personal identification, school registration, or visa applications, having a valid birth certificate is essential for many vital tasks in Portugal.

What is a Portuguese Birth Certificate?

A Portugal birth certificate is an official legal document issued by the Local Civil Registry Office (Registo Civil) that certifies an individual’s birth in Portugal or to Portuguese parents abroad. It’s a vital record that confirms a person’s identity, citizenship, and family background. This certificate is used for many legal and personal purposes and is widely accepted by government offices, legal authorities, and other institutions.

Overview of Information Included in a Portugal Birth Certificate

A Portugal birth certificate contains a variety of key details about the individual, including:

Full Name: The registered name of the person.
Date of Birth: The exact date the individual was born.
Place of Birth: The city or municipality where the birth occurred.
Parent(s)’ Names: Full legal names of the parents, sometimes including their nationalities.
Civil Registry Details: Information regarding the registration, such as the registration date and the office where it was registered.
Registration Number: A unique identifier associated with the birth certificate.

Types of Portuguese Birth Certificates

To meet different needs, the Portuguese government offers several types of birth certificates, including the

1. Original birth certificate,

2. Certified copy

3. Digital mobile key

Each type has its unique features, which we will explore below.

1. Original Birth Certificate

The original birth certificate is the first official document issued at the time of a person’s birth, registering their birth in Portugal. It contains essential details such as:

The individual’s full name
Parentage (names of parents)
Date and place of birth
Basic citizenship information

If the original birth certificate is lost or damaged, you can request a replacement through the Civil Online website or at a local service desk.

2. Certified Copy

A certified copy of a birth certificate is an official reproduction of the original document, which holds the same legal value. It acts as a true and accurate copy of the original and is often used in legal and administrative situations when an original birth certificate is required but unavailable.

Additionally, this type of certificate can be requested online via the Civil Online website or in person at civil registry offices or Citizen Shops.

3. Digital Mobile Key

The digital mobile key is a modern, electronic version of the birth certificate that:

Serves as a digital replica of the original document
Offers a secure and convenient way to access both public and private services
Enables users to sign documents digitally

Portuguese citizens and foreign nationals can request a digital mobile key, and its electronic signature is legally recognized across the European Union, just like a handwritten signature.

Who Can Request a Portuguese Birth Certificate?

Anyone can request a birth certificate. However, there are certain cases where only specific people can make the request:

If the certificate belongs to someone who has been adopted.
If the certificate is for someone who has legally changed their birth sex and name.

In these situations, additional restrictions apply to protect privacy and confidentiality.

Where to Request a Birth Certificate

You can request a Portugal birth certificate in 2 formats: online or paper.

Online: You can request the certificate through the Civil Online website, and it will be available for consultation for six months.
Paper: You can request a paper birth certificate at several locations, including:

Civil registry offices
Citizen Shops (Lojas do Cidadão)
IRN’s Registry Spaces (Espaços de Registo)

These options give you flexibility depending on your preference for digital or paper copies.

Documents and Requirements to Request a Portuguese Birth Certificate

The documents and requirements vary depending on whether you are requesting an online or paper birth certificate. Here’s a breakdown of what you will need for each type:

1. Online Certificate

a. If You Hold a Citizen Card:

You will need to sign up on the Civil Online platform. To do this, you will need:

Your Citizen Card (Portuguese national ID)
The PIN code for the card’s authentication
A card reader to access and authenticate your card

b. If You Hold a Lawyer, Notary, or Solicitor’s Professional License:

You will need to use your professional digital certificate to make the request.

2. Paper Certificate

No specific documents are required to request a paper birth certificate in person unless you need to prove that you are exempt from paying the certificate fee. In that case, you may need to provide documents showing your exemption status.

This makes the online process more technical, while the paper request is simpler but may require proof of fee exemption in certain cases.

Price to Request a Portuguese Birth Certificate

The cost of requesting a birth certificate depends on the reason for the request and the type of Certificate you need.

Type of Certificate and Prices

Online Certificate: €10
Paper Certificate:

For Family Allowance or Social Security Purposes: €10
For Other Purposes: €20

Free Certificates

In some cases, birth certificates may be issued free of charge, including:

Adoption processes
Nationality processes
Assistance or charity purposes (e.g., for state or local pensions)
Occupational accident processes (if requested by the individual or their family)
Portuguese-Brazilian equality status processes
Legal support purposes
Individuals facing economic hardship, with proof from Social Security or a public assistance institution

Note: Free certificates can only be used for the specific purpose for which they were requested and may require proof of exemption. If evidence is required, the Certificate must be requested in person.

Payment Methods

Online Certificate:
Multibanco (Portuguese ATM network)
Credit card
Paper Certificate:
Multibanco
Cash
Certified or bank cheque (in euros from a bank in Portugal)
Postal order to IRN

This flexibility in payment options makes it convenient to request your birth certificate based on your needs.

How to Request a Portuguese Birth Certificate?

You can request a Portuguese birth certificate either online or in person

1. Online Certificate

This certificate is issued electronically and can be accessed online for six months.

Steps:

Visit the Civil Online webpage.
Choose one of the following options:
“Sign in with authentication” if you have a Citizen Card or a professional license (for lawyers, notaries, or solicitors).
“Sign in without authentication” if you don’t have a Citizen Card.

Follow the instructions to complete your request.
Once the certificate is ready, you will receive an email or SMS with a code to access and consult it online.
The certificate can be accessed for six months with the code. If an organization requests the birth certificate, you can provide them with the access code, as the online certificate has the same legal validity as a paper one.

The information on the online certificate reflects the birth registry details at the time of issue. Any updates to the registry made after the certificate is issued will not be reflected.

Paper Certificate

A paper certificate can be requested in person and has no specific validity period.

Steps:

Visit a Civil Registry Office or Citizen Shop service desk.
Provide as much information as possible about the birth registry, such as:
Registry number, year, and office
Full name, date of birth, parentage, and place of birth of the individual

The paper certificate is typically issued on the spot and handed to you.

For Birth Registries Over 100 Years Old: If the birth registry is over 100 years old, contact the registry office first to check if the records have been transferred to the district archive. If they have, you’ll need to request the certificate directly from the district archive.

This process offers flexibility based on your preference for either digital or physical certificates.

Verifying and Authenticating Your Portuguese Birth Certificate

Once you have obtained a birth certificate, it’s essential to verify its authenticity and accuracy, especially if you plan to use it for important legal processes like applying for nationality. Here’s how to ensure everything is correct.

Checking for Complete and Accurate Information

Start by reviewing the birth certificate to ensure all details are complete and accurate. Key information to verify includes:

The individual’s full name
Parentage (names of the parents)
Date and place of birth
Basic citizenship details

If you notice any errors, such as misspellings or incorrect information, it’s important to contact the Registrar of Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Registered Partnerships to request a correction.

1. Confirming with the National Register

After ensuring the information is correct, the final step is confirming the birth certificate’s authenticity with the national register, managed by the Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado (IRN). This step typically takes 5 to 10 days and involves verifying that the birth certificate is genuine and properly recorded in the national system.

The best part? There is no fee for this verification process, making it a straightforward and cost-free way to ensure your birth certificate is fully valid for legal use.

How to Request Additional Documents Related to Birth Certificates?

In addition to birth certificates, you may also need to request other important documents like death or marriage certificates. These documents are essential for various legal and administrative procedures and can be obtained through similar methods.

1. Death Certificate

A death certificate provides key information about an individual’s death and is often required for legal purposes, such as estate settlements or life insurance claims. The process for obtaining a death certificate in Portugal includes:

How to Request:
Online through the Civil Online website
In person at civil registry offices or Citizen Shops
Through the nearest Portuguese Consulate if you are abroad
Cost: The fee for requesting a death certificate is approximately $21.19 USD, payable to the Consulate General of Portugal if requested abroad.

2. Marriage Certificate

A marriage certificate is an official document that confirms the legal union of a couple, which may be needed for spousal benefits, immigration, or other legal matters.

How to Request:
Online through the Civil Online website
In person at civil registry offices or Citizen Shops
At the nearest Portuguese Consulate if you’re requesting from abroad
Purpose: Marriage certificates are often required for processes like spousal visa applications, inheritance claims, or government benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, a Portugal birth certificate is often required when applying for Portuguese nationality.

An online birth certificate is issued electronically and can be accessed online for six months. A paper birth certificate is a physical document issued in person at a civil registry office.

If you are outside of Portugal, you can request your birth certificate through the Civil Online website or at a Portuguese consulate.

To authenticate your Portuguese birth certificate, you can confirm its validity with the national register at the Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado (IRN).

Yes, after requesting an online birth certificate, you will receive a code via email or SMS to access your certificate on the Civil Online website.

A birth certificate in Portugal, whether requested online or in person, typically takes 5 to 10 days to process.

After your birth certificate has been processed, you will receive an email or SMS with a code to access and check it online.

Conclusion

Getting a Portuguese birth certificate is a simple yet crucial process for legal and personal matters like citizenship or identity proof. Whether you request it online or in person, it’s important to ensure all details are correct.

We can assist you in obtaining essential documents such as Finance Number, which are necessary for living and working in Portugal. Contact us for help with these documents, and we’ll make the process quick and easy.

How to Get Portuguese Birth Certificate: Complete Guide (2025)

What is a Portuguese Birth Certificate?

Overview of Information Included in a Portugal Birth Certificate