Saltar para o conteúdo principal da página
Justiça.gov.pt

DGAJ

JustiçaGovPt
DGAJ
  • Sobre a DGAJ
  • Instrumentos de gestão
  • Serviços
  • Tribunais
  • Registo criminal
DGAJ
  • Sobre a DGAJ Sobre a DGAJ
  • Instrumentos de gestão Instrumentos de gestão
  • Serviços Serviços
  • Tribunais Tribunais
  • Registo criminal Registo criminal
Justiça.gov.pt Área Reservada
Registo criminalCriminal record certificate

Criminal record certificate

Criminal record certificate

Atualizado em 31.07.2026

Diga-nos o que procura que nós ajudamos

The Portuguese criminal record keeps information about criminal convictions and subsequent decisions handed down against citizens over the age of 16, or against legal persons.

Foreign citizens wishing to obtain or renew a residence permit in Portugal do not need a criminal record certificate and contumacy. They can authorize the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (SEF) to access their registration, without having to go to the criminal registry service points.

For any clarification, please contact by phone (+351) 217 906 200 and (+351) 217 906 440 or through this form

 

 

Who can request?

  • Any person, of any nationality, over 16 years of age, if it is his/her own registration
  • Any person over the age of 18 may request the criminal record certificate of another person.

How can I request?

...a criminal record certificate of a natural person:

Note that the Portuguese criminal record certificate cannot be issued for citizens under the age of 16.

  • Through Online Criminal Record, (portuguese citizens only) by authenticating with your Portuguese Citizen Card or with the Digital Mobile Key [Chave Móvel Digital (CMD)] if it was obtained with your Citizen Card:
    • After making the request, an ATM reference for payment of the due fee will be provided and, once the payment is made, the certificate will be available at Online Criminal Record  / “My Requests”, as soon as it is issued.
  • Personally, in any attendance services, where it is possible the issue of certificates.
  • If you live abroad please read the instructions (below) on "I live abroad".

...a criminal record certificate of a minor child or of an incapacitated person:

The minor child’s ascendants, as well as the tutor or the curator of the incapacitated person, can personally apply for the issue of the criminal record certificate of the minor child (not younger than 16 years old) or of the incapacitated person. 
For the purpose, it must be presented:

  • The proof of his/her quality as the ascendant of the minor child, or the tutor or curator of the incapacitated person;
  • The citizen card or ID card, or other valid and qualified document, of the person for whom is requested the certificate.

...a criminal record certificate of a legal person:

The legal representative of the legal person may request its certificate of criminal record:

  • Through Online Criminal Record, by authenticating with your Portuguese Citizen Card (CC), using a data card reader and your CC Pin, or with the Digital Mobile Key [Chave Móvel Digital (CMD)] if it was obtained with citizen card.
    • After making the request, an ATM reference for payment of the due fee will be provided and, once the payment is made, the certificate will be available at Online Criminal Record / “My Requests”, as soon as it is issued.
  • Personally, in any attendance services, where it is possible the issue of certificates. 
    It is necessary to prove that you are the legal representative and you must identify yourself with your citizen card or ID card or other valid and qualified identification document confirming yourself (photo and signature) and NIF.
    The personal request is merely verbal, without filling in any form. Only a receipt of the request must be signed and the paymente made.
    Attendance services, where it is possible the issue of certificates:

How can I make the application personally in an attendance service? (it's advisable to schedule)

  • The personal request is merely verbal, without filling in any form. Only a receipt of the request must be signed and the payment made.
  • When making the request, you must present your citizen card or ID card, passport or other valid and qualified identification document that can confirm that it is you (photo and signature) and you will be asked to verify the necessary information about the identification for issuing (name, place of birth, date of birth, parentage, nationality).

Can I authorize another person to apply for a certificate?

You, yourself or as the legal representative of a legal person, may authorize a third person to make the application for the issue of the certificate.

To this effect, a written and signed declaration must be issued, stating:

  • Your identification (full name and citizen card number or identity card, passport or other valid and qualified document with signature) and, if applicable, your condition as legal representative; 
  • The identification of the authorized person (full name and citizen card number or ID card or other valid and qualified document with signature); 
  • A declaration stating that you authorize the identified person to apply for the certificate and clearly mention the purpose of the certificate; 
  • Your signature, according to the document mentioned in the authorization.

The authorized person must apply for the certificate personally at any of the attendance services, where it is possible the issue of certificates. The authorized person must present:

  • The authorization of the applicant, or of the representative of the legal person
  • Her/his identification document mentioned in the authorization
  • The identification document of the holder of the information mentioned in the authorization, or its certified copy (the copy of the identification document must be signed by the holder and with written mention: “this copy of my identification document is only to request my criminal record certificate”)
  • In the case of a legal person, a document attesting his/her status as the legal representative of the company (for example, with the permanent certificate of the company, or a current certificate from the commercial register).

I live abroad

...can I make the application through Online Criminal Record?

  • Yes, if you are a portuguese citizen you may request your criminal record certificate through Online Criminal Record if you are able to proceed with the authentication with your portuguese Citizen Card (using a card reader and your Citizen Card Pin) or with Digital Mobile Key previous obtained with your Citizen Card, and you have a bank account in Portugal with homebanking service.
  • After making the request, an ATM reference for payment of the due fee will be provided and, once the payment is made, the certificate will be available at Online Criminal Record/“My Requests”, as soon as it is issued.

...I do not use the Online Criminal Record portal, how can I apply for my certificate?

ATTENTION:

The use of this application form by residents in Portugal will result in the rejection of the request (the certificate will not be issued and the payment will not be refunded).
The use of the old form is not allowed, and payment via bank transfer is no longer accepted.

 

 

...can I authorize another person, in Portugal, to apply for my criminal record certificate?

  • Yes, you can authorize another person, in Portugal, to apply for your certificate on your behalf – please read (above) "Can I authorize another person to apply for a certificate?"

 

 

 

Where to apply for a criminal record certificate?

What is the deadline for issuing the certificate?

Depending on the location of the application and the identification document displayed, the issuing period may be:

Online Criminal Record

  • After payment *

    * It is issued after payment (consider the delay on payment system communications to our website), unless there are technical impediments related to the identification of the person or the information to be certified. In this case it will be issued up to 3 working days.

Central Authority desks: Balcões dos Serviços de Identificação Criminal

  • Applied with valid portuguese citizen card: immediately *
  • Applied with other (valid) document of identification: immediately *

    * It is issued immediately, unless there are technical impediments related to the identification of the person or the information to be certified. In this case it will be issued up to 3 working days.

 

Courts

  • Applied with valid portuguese citizen card: immediately *

    * It is issued immediately, unless there are technical impediments related to the identification of the person or the information to be certified.  In this case it will be issued up to 3 working days.
  • Applied with other (valid) document of identification: up to 3 working days

Other attendant services: Espaços Cidadão and Rede Integrada de Apoio ao Cidadão (RIAC)

  • Applied with valid portuguese citizen card: immediately *

    * It is issued immediately, unless there are technical impediments related to the identification of the person or the information to be certified.  In this case it will be issued up to 3 working days ((plus the delay for post services delivery at the address of the requester).
  • Applied with other (valid) document of identification: 3 working days (plus the delay for post services delivery at the address of the requester)

 

Requests from abroad

  • 10 working days, after all the necessary documents are received and the payment is confirmed by the financial department.

Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us through this form