Required for D8 Visa

Certified Translation & Apostille Service

Get your documents legally certified and apostilled for Portugal. We coordinate certified translations by Portuguese Bar Association lawyers and apostille processing through the Attorney General's Office.

Bar Association Certified
Official Apostille
3-10 Business Days

Documents That Need Certification & Apostille for D8 Visa

Birth & Marriage Certificates

  • US birth certificates need state-level apostille + certified Portuguese translation
  • Marriage certificates (for spouse/family applications)
  • Children's birth certificates (for family reunification)

FBI Background Check

  • Requires federal apostille (State Department, not state-level)
  • Must be translated to Portuguese by certified translator
  • Translation must be certified by Portuguese Bar Association lawyer

Employment & Income Documents

  • Employment contracts (if applying as remote employee)
  • Business registration documents (for freelancers/business owners)
  • Bank statements and financial documents

Other Common Documents

  • University diplomas and transcripts
  • Power of attorney documents
  • Medical records (if required by consulate)

How Our Service Works

Step 1: Document Assessment

Send us your documents. We review and create a detailed plan for what needs translation, certification, and/or apostille.

  • Identify which documents need apostille (US vs Portugal)
  • Determine if documents need certified translation first
  • Provide timeline and cost breakdown

Step 2: Certified Translation (If Needed)

Documents not in Portuguese or English are translated by professional translators, then certified by Portuguese Bar Association lawyers.

  • Professional translation by native Portuguese speakers
  • Certification by lawyer registered with Portuguese Bar Association (OA)
  • Lawyer's signature, stamp, and license number included
  • Turnaround: 3-5 business days

Step 3: Apostille Processing

We coordinate apostille through the proper authority (Attorney General's Office in Portugal or Secretary of State in US).

  • US documents: State-level apostille (birth/marriage certs) or federal apostille (FBI check)
  • Portugal documents: Attorney General's Office (Prosecutor General)
  • Standard processing: 5-10 business days
  • Expedited available: 2-3 business days (additional fee)

Step 4: Delivery & Verification

Receive your apostilled and certified documents, ready for consulate submission.

  • Quality check to ensure apostille is correct and complete
  • Tracked shipping to your address (or digital delivery if applicable)
  • Guidance on how to submit to Portuguese consulate

Transparent Pricing

Certified Translation Rates

Per Page (Standard Documents)
Birth/marriage certs, diplomas, contracts
€60-80/page
Technical/Legal Documents
Complex legal or medical terminology
€80-120/page
Lawyer Certification
Portuguese Bar Association stamp & signature
€70-120/doc
Coordination Fee
Quality check, liaison with translators/lawyers
$95-150

Apostille Service Rates

US State-Level Apostille
Birth/marriage certs (via Secretary of State)
$120-180/doc
US Federal Apostille
FBI checks (via State Department)
$150-220/doc
Portugal Apostille
Via Attorney General's Office
€120-180/doc
Coordination Fee (Apostille)
Document courier, tracking, quality verification
$95-150
Expedited Processing
2-3 day turnaround (add to standard fee)
+€80-150

Example: Complete D8 Visa Package

US birth certificate - state apostille$150
Birth certificate - certified PT translation (1 page)€70
FBI background check - federal apostille$180
FBI check - certified PT translation (2 pages)€140
Marriage certificate - state apostille + translation$150 + €70
Translation coordination fee (one-time)$120
Apostille coordination fee (one-time)$120
Total Package~$720 + €280

Our coordination fee is 15-20% on top of provider costs. We handle all logistics, quality checks, and ensure compliance.

Understanding Apostille Requirements

Critical: Where to Get Apostille

US Documents → US Apostille

Documents issued in the US must be apostilled IN THE US before coming to Portugal. You cannot apostille US documents in Portugal.

  • • Birth/marriage certificates → Your state's Secretary of State office
  • • FBI background check → US State Department (federal apostille)
  • • Diplomas → Secretary of State where school is located

Portugal Documents → Portugal Apostille

Documents issued in Portugal (translations certified by Portuguese lawyers, Portuguese birth certs, etc.) are apostilled by Portugal's Attorney General's Office.

Common Mistake to Avoid

Many people think they can get US documents apostilled in Portugal - this is FALSE. If you're already in Portugal and forgot to apostille your US birth certificate before moving, you'll need to either return to the US, mail it to a service in the US, or authorize someone in the US to handle it on your behalf (with power of attorney). We coordinate mail-in apostille services to avoid this hassle.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between certified and sworn translation in Portugal?

Portugal doesn't use "sworn translators" like other EU countries. Instead, translations are "certified" by lawyers registered with the Portuguese Bar Association (OA). These lawyers have notarial powers and their certification is legally equivalent to sworn translations in other countries.

Can I use Google Translate or do translations myself?

No. Portuguese consulates only accept certified translations by authorized professionals (lawyers or certified translation agencies). DIY translations, even if accurate, will be rejected.

How long does the full process take?

Standard timeline: 7-15 business days (3-5 days for translation + certification, 5-10 days for apostille). Expedited service available in 5-7 days total. FBI background checks take longer (4-8 weeks) and should be started separately.

Do I need to apostille translations?

Usually yes. The certified translation (signed by Portuguese lawyer) often needs an apostille from Portugal's Attorney General's Office before submission to consulates. We handle both steps in sequence.

Can you handle documents in languages other than English?

Yes. Our network includes translators for Spanish, French, German, Italian, Chinese, Arabic, and most major languages. Documents are translated to Portuguese and certified by Portuguese Bar Association lawyers.

Do you provide the translation and apostille services directly?

No - we coordinate with licensed professionals: certified translators, Portuguese Bar Association lawyers for certification, and authorized representatives who work with the Attorney General's Office for apostilles. We manage the entire process, quality check everything, and ensure compliance, but the actual work is performed by licensed providers.

Get Your Documents Legalized

Fast, certified translations and apostilles for your D8 visa application

Free quote • Quality guaranteed • Fast turnaround