Global Apostille Canada / Destinations / Portugal
Portugal: apostille and legalization from Canada
Apostille only · no embassy stage
Files for Portugal are often about family ties: birth and marriage records for a nationality application, a power of attorney for a house, a succession. More recently, residence visas, which need an apostilled criminal record check. Portugal is a party to the Apostille Convention, so there is no embassy stage after the Canadian apostille.
The route your document takes
The Hague Apostille Convention applies to this destination (Portugal). A single apostille from the Canadian competent authority is enough, with no embassy stage.
- TranslationCertified translation into the language your destination requires. Depends on your document
- NotarizationA notary or commissioner certifies the copy, the signature or the translator's affidavit. Depends on your document
- ApostilleThe competent Canadian authority issues the apostille certificate. Always
- LegalizationEmbassy or consular stamp, for destinations outside the Hague Convention. Not required
This is a preliminary route, not a legal opinion. Convention membership and embassy requirements change; we confirm the exact chain for your file in writing before any work starts.
What people usually send
The documents we most often prepare for this destination. If yours is not here, it is almost certainly still something we handle.
- Birth and marriage certificates for nationality files
- Powers of attorney for property
- Succession documents
- Criminal record checks for residence visas
- University degrees and transcripts
Worth knowing
A Portuguese translation is usually required. For nationality files the long-form birth certificate, with both parents named, is the one to send.
Where is your document from?
The authority that issues the apostille depends on the province the document was issued in, not on where you live.
- Own apostille office
- Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan
- Every other province and territory
- Global Affairs Canada, Ottawa