Portugal: notarial and documentary services
How someone in Portugal can get documents legalised, witnessed or certified and obtain informative notes.
Overview
Where local notaries or other organisations can provide services, the British consulate will not provide them. In many cases, local notaries, lawyers and other organisations can provide services more cheaply, quickly and conveniently.
Services we provide in Portugal
The British Consulate Lisbon does not provide notarial services. These are available from local notaries and lawyers.
Informative note on change of name
An informative note relating to name change in the UK is occasionally required for notarial and bureaucratic procedures in Portugal. This may be the case if you have changed your name on marriage, divorce or by deed poll and the Portuguese authorities ask for confirmation from the consulate that this is permissible in the UK.
If you need an informative note on change of name, you may like to print out the free version and ask the Portuguese authorities whether the website copy is acceptable:
Certificate of No Objection for Adoption
If you are a British national resident in Portugal and you have been asked to obtain a certificate of no objection to adopt a child from a country other than the UK, contact the British Embassy Lisbon via our webform.
Services provided elsewhere
You can obtain certified copies of documents, including your passport, from a local English-speaking notary. If you are going to use the document in another country and you need the certification to be done in English, make sure you inform the notary in advance. A notary can also witness your signature and advise you on drafting a local will and power of attorney.
We do not issue transfer of residence certificates for importing vehicles, or baggage certificates for importing personal belongings. If you are moving to Portugal from the UK, contact the Portuguese Consulate-General in London. If you are moving from any other country, contact your nearest Portuguese Consulate.
We do not provide life certificates for UK nationals claiming a British pension abroad. Refer to the list of people working in a recognised profession who can do this for you.
If you are asked to provide a legalised copy of an official UK document, contact the Legalisation Office in the UK. Check our guidance on the recognition and legalisation of UK educational certificate.
If you are asked for a UK criminal record certificate, police certificate or certificate of good conduct, contact ACRO Criminal Records Office.
For information about documents relating to marriage, see getting married abroad. You will not need a certificate of no impediment (CNI) for marriage in Portugal. If you are asked for a CNI, you can show the registrar the Notice on marriage in Portugal (PDF, 177 KB, 1 page).
If you can’t find what you’re looking for on this page, see the other services provided by the British consulate in Portugal.
Data protection
His Majesty’s Government holds and uses data for purposes notified to the Information Commissioner under the Data Protection Act 1998. Such personal data may be disclosed to other UK government departments and public authorities.
Disclaimer
This information is provided as a general guide and is based upon information provided to the consulate by the relevant authorities and may be subject to change at any time with little or no notice. Accordingly, neither the UK government nor the British Consulate will be liable for any inaccuracies in this information. For all notarial and legalisation services it is the responsibility of the customer to ascertain the precise requirements of the person requesting the notarial or legalisation service and to satisfy themselves that the service provided by the consulate will be accepted.
Last updated 23 November 2023 + show all updates
-
Updated information on how to obtain a transfer of residence certificate to import your vehicle
-
New procedures on booking an appointment and applying to obtain a transfer of residence certificate to import your vehicle tax free to Portugal - June 2021
-
Certified copies of British passports available only at the British Embassy in Lisbon.
-
Updated information on how UK nationals can book appointments for notarial services at the British Embassy in Lisbon and the British Vice Consulate in Portimão.
-
Changes to provision of notarial services at the British Consulates in Portugal: end of remote notarial services and return to face-to-face appointments.
-
Information update on booking appointments
-
Update to the availability of notarial appointments
-
Amendment made to notarial services in Portugal during coronavirus (COVID-19).
-
Change of wording to clarify the exact consular fees charged for notarial services, following feedback from a customer.
-
Revised car importation leaflet due to the changes in the law.
-
Updated February 2018
-
Amended November 2017
-
Amended November 2017
-
Update July 2017
-
Updated June 2017
-
Updated list of documents required for issue of car importation certificate - 20/10/2016
-
Please note update on the Informative Note regarding change of names, as Deed Polls now need to be enrolled at the Royal Courts of Justice.
-
Online appointment booking process changed as all notarial services are now provided from British Consulate Lisbon
-
Removed Clickbook link for British Consulate Oporto
-
Downloadable versions of the informative notes added for change of name
-
added to notarial services document series
-
First published.