US & Portugal Notarization

Notary Services for D8 Visa

Get your documents notarized for your D8 visa application. We coordinate US and Portuguese notary services for power of attorney, affidavits, certified copies, and more.

Common D8 Visa Notarization Needs

US Notarization (Before Visa)

  • Power of Attorney
    Authorize someone to act on your behalf in Portugal (property, legal matters)
  • Affidavits of Support
    Sworn statements regarding income, employment, or sponsorship
  • Document Certification
    Certified true copies of passports, diplomas, marriage certificates
  • Employment/Income Letters
    Notarized employer letters or self-employment declarations

Portuguese Notarization (After Arrival)

  • Rental Agreements
    Notarization of lease agreements for residency card application
  • Property Purchase Documents
    Deed notarization (escritura) for real estate transactions
  • Business Formation Documents
    Company registration, bylaws, shareholder agreements
  • Marriage/Birth Certificates
    Portuguese notary certification for family reunification

Important: Apostille vs Notarization

Notarization and apostille are different processes, and you often need both:

  • • Notarization: A notary verifies your signature and identity (done locally)
  • • Apostille: Government certification that the notary is legitimate (done by Secretary of State or US Dept of State)
  • • For D8 visa: Most documents need notarization FIRST, then apostille SECOND

We can coordinate both services. See our Apostille Service for more details.

How It Works

US Notarization Process

1

Submit Documents

Send us the documents that need notarization (scanned copies to start)

2

Choose Option

Remote online notary (RON) or in-person notary near you

3

Schedule Appointment

Book a time for video notarization or meet in person (if local)

4

Receive Notarized Docs

Digital copies immediately, originals shipped if needed

Portuguese Notarization Process

1

Identify Documents

Tell us what documents need Portuguese notary (cartório) certification

2

We Coordinate Notary

Connect you with Portuguese notary (notário) or lawyer for certification

3

Attend Appointment

Visit notary office in Portugal (you must be present for most notarizations)

4

Receive Certified Docs

Notary issues certified documents with official seal and signature

Notary Service Pricing

US Notarization

$75per document

Remote online notary (RON)

  • Remote video notarization
  • Available 7 days/week
  • Digital copy immediately
  • Physical original shipped (+$25)
  • Valid for apostille
Bulk Discounts:
3-5 documents: $65/doc
6-10 documents: $55/doc
10+ documents: $45/doc
US Notarization

Portuguese Notarization

€50-200per document

Portuguese notary coordination

  • Coordination with Portuguese notário
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Document preparation guidance
  • Translation coordination if needed
  • $95 coordination fee
Typical Notary Fees:
Simple certification: €50-80
Power of attorney: €80-150
Property deed (escritura): €150-300
Portuguese Notary

How it works: We coordinate with licensed notaries public (US) and notários (Portugal) to handle your document notarization. US notarizations are performed by commissioned notaries via RON platforms. Portuguese notarizations are performed by licensed notários; we charge a coordination fee and the notary charges their own fees directly. Not all documents can be notarized remotely—some require in-person presence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a US notary and a Portuguese notary?

US notaries verify signatures and identities (ministerial role). Portuguese notários are licensed legal professionals (like lawyers) who can draft legal documents, verify contracts, and certify transactions. Portuguese notarization is more comprehensive and expensive than US notarization.

Can I use remote online notarization (RON) for D8 visa documents?

Yes, for most documents. RON is accepted by Portuguese authorities as long as the notarization is later apostilled by the appropriate US authority (usually Secretary of State or US Dept of State). Some consulates prefer in-person notarization—we'll advise based on your location.

Do I need notarization AND apostille?

For most D8 visa documents, yes. The sequence is: (1) Notarization by a notary public, (2) Apostille by Secretary of State or US Dept of State. The apostille certifies that the notary's signature is authentic. We can coordinate both services.

What documents commonly need notarization for D8 visa?

Power of attorney, affidavits of support, employer letters, self-employment declarations, certified copies of passports/diplomas/marriage certificates, and accommodation agreements. Your specific consulate may have different requirements—check their checklist.

Can you notarize documents in languages other than English?

US notaries can notarize foreign language documents, but the signer must understand what they're signing. The notary certificate itself is in English. For Portuguese documents, you'll typically need a Portuguese notary or a certified translator to prepare the document first, then have it notarized.

How long does remote online notarization (RON) take?

The video appointment itself takes 10-15 minutes per document. You'll receive the digital copy immediately after. If you need physical originals shipped, add 3-7 business days for USPS or 1-2 days for FedEx (additional cost).

What if I need a Portuguese notary but I'm still in the US?

You can grant power of attorney to someone in Portugal (notarized and apostilled in the US) who can act on your behalf. Or you can wait until you arrive in Portugal to handle Portuguese notarization. We'll help you determine the best approach based on your timeline.

Need Documents Notarized?

We'll coordinate US and Portuguese notary services to get your documents properly certified for your D8 visa application.

Remote online notary • Portuguese notary coordination • Fast turnaround