Apostilles and Background Checks

What an apostille actually is

An apostille is a stamp/certificate issued under the 1961 Hague Convention that confirms a public document is authentic. Portuguese authorities accept apostilled documents from any of the 125 signatory countries without further legalisation. Documents from non-Hague countries (UAE, Vietnam outside scheme, etc.) need full consular legalisation instead.

Which documents need it

Anything official and foreign that you're submitting to a consulate, AIMA, or Conservatória.

• Criminal record (FBI, ACRO, etc.) — required for every D-visa
• Birth certificate — required for citizenship and family reunification
• Marriage certificate — required for spouse visas and family reunification
• Adoption / guardianship orders for minor children
• University diplomas — only if applying for the IFICI tax regime as a 'highly qualified' professional

FBI record for US applicants

Three steps, plan 6–10 weeks if doing it normally.

• Order via an FBI-approved channeler (Accurate Biometrics, Fieldprint) — 24–72h turnaround
• Mail the result to the US Department of State Office of Authentications
• Receive the apostille in 4–8 weeks (or 3–7 days via expediter ~$150)

UK and Ireland

UK: order an ACRO Police Certificate online (£75, 10 days), then send it for apostille at the FCDO Legalisation Office (£30, 1–5 days). Ireland: Garda Vetting is via the embassy in Dublin; apostille issued by the DFA.

Translation

After apostilling, every non-Portuguese document must be translated by a tradutor certificado or notarised by a Portuguese lawyer/notary. Costs run €25–€60 per page. A few consulates accept English originals — confirm in writing before paying.