FBI Background Check Apostille for Portugal

What Portugal usually requires

• An FBI Identity History Summary, the national, fingerprint-based check, not a state or local police report.
• A federal apostille from the U.S. Department of State, since Portugal is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention.
• A Portuguese translation, when requested. Some consulates and authorities accept the English report; others, including many steps completed in Portugal, ask for a certified Portuguese translation that covers the apostille.
• A recent issue date. Criminal record certificates for Portuguese applications are often expected to be no more than about 90 days old. Confirm the window with the consulate, AIMA or your attorney.

Applications that commonly need it

The D7 passive income visa, the D8 digital nomad visa, the Golden Visa, work and study visas, residence permit appointments in Portugal and citizenship applications all typically include a criminal record requirement. See Portugal D7 Visa Documents, Portugal Golden Visa Apostille and our free Golden Visa Document Checklist.

Working with your attorney in Portugal

Many clients work with a Portuguese lawyer who assembles the file. We can ship the apostilled report directly to your attorney, and we can prepare a certified Portuguese translation if they request one. See Portuguese Translation.

How we handle it

1. Request your FBI Identity History Summary with your fingerprints, directly from the FBI or through an FBI-approved channeler. We process the apostille, not the background check itself.
2. Upload a scan for review. We confirm that the report is the FBI-issued version the U.S. Department of State will accept before you send anything.
3. Send us the original from anywhere in the United States or abroad.
4. We obtain the federal apostille. Our DC Satellite Office hand-carries your report to the U.S. Department of State; please plan for approximately 10 business days.
5. Translation, if required, is added to the same order and completed after the apostille so the apostille is translated as well.
6. We return it with tracking, to you, your attorney or the consulate, anywhere in the world.

Timing your request

If your consulate appointment or AIMA appointment is several months away, a report ordered too early may expire before you use it. Tell us the date, and we will help you plan when to request the FBI check so it is still current.