Request a criminal record certificate of an individual

The criminal record contains information about the criminal record of people over 16 years old.

You can request the certificate for yourself or for another person (in which case the person making the request must be over 18), online, by telephone, in person or by post.  The certificate for foreigners can only be requested in person in a Criminal Identification Services desk or in a courthouse. 

The Criminal Record Certificate is valid for 3 months from the date of issue.

Service channels

Learn where you can carry out the service and what are the advantages of each channel

  • Online

    Authentication with Digital Mobile Key or Citizen Card is required. Only for Portuguese citizens.

    Each certificate request has a cost of 5 €

    The certificate is valid for 3 months.

    This service can be done with video call support. Click on the "Support" button and schedule.

  • You need to have an active CMD and have the app id.gov.pt for Android, Huawei or iOS installed on a smartphone with biometrics capabilities (facial verification or fingerprint).

    Each certificate request has a cost of 5 €

    (+351) 210 489 010 or Call 300 003 990, available weekdays between 9am and 6pm.

    Request
  • You can request the certificate at the Citizen Spots, courthouses and other DGAJ services.

    Each certificate request has a cost of 5 €

    Foreigners can only request the certificate in a courthouse or DGAJ - Criminal Identification Services desks.

Who can request a criminal record certificate of an individual?

What are the documents and requirements to Request a criminal record certificate of an individual?

  • To request and issue a certificate, it is necessary to indicate the following personal data:

    • full name
    • identity document number
    • place of birth (birthplace)
    • date of birth
    • filiation - i.e. mother's and/or father's names
    • nationality.
  • Online (for Portuguese citizens only):

    If you want to apply in the Registo Criminal Online portal you will need to authenticate yourself with the Citizen Card or the Digital Mobile Key (CMD).

    Note: If you changed your name (due to marriage or divorce) in your Portuguese Citizen Card, make sure that your name on the Digital Mobile Key (CMD) is the same as your Citizen Card.

  • By Phone (for Portuguese citizens only):

    You need to have the Mobile Digital Key (CMD) active and have the id.gov.pt for Android, Huawei or iOS installed on a smartphone with biometrics capabilities (facial recognition or fingerprint).

    Note: If you changed your name (due to marriage or divorce) in your Portuguese Citizen Card, make sure that your name on the Digital Mobile Key (CMD) is the same as your Citizen Card.

  • In person

    If you want to request for yourself, you must present a valid and official identification document (citizen card, passport, residence permit).

    If you want to make the request for another person, who is 18 years old or older, you must present the following documents

    the person's authorisation by written statement. In the declaration must be indicated the reason why you want the certificate. For example: job application.
    the identification document (Citizen Card, Identity Card, residence permit in Portugal or passport) of the person or its certified copy (signed by the owner of the document, where it should be mentioned that he authorizes the copy only for the purposes of obtaining his criminal record certificate)
    the identification document (Cartão de Cidadão, Bilhete de Identidade, título de residência em Portugal ou passaporte) of the person making the request mentioned in the authorization.

    If you want to make the request for another person, who is between 16 and 18 years old, you must present the following documents

    the identification document (Citizen Card, Identity Card, residence permit in Portugal or passport) of the person making the request
    the identification document (Cartão de Cidadão, Bilhete de Identidade, título de residência em Portugal ou passaporte) of the minor or incapacitated person 
    a document proving that you are
    ascendant of the minor (father/mother or grandmother/grandfather).
    guardian of the minor or incapacitated person.
    The Portuguese criminal record certificate is issued in two languages (Portuguese/English), with the exception of any convictions that may eventually appear in the certificate.

    If, when delivering the criminal record certificate, a translation into another language is demanded, the person who holds the criminal record certificate must assure such translation him/herself.

How can you Request a criminal record certificate of an individual?

The criminal record certificate can be requested online, by phone, in person or by mail

Online (for Portuguese citizens only):

Access the Registo Criminal Online portal and authenticate yourself with your Citizen Card or Mobile Digital Key.

Fill in the form with the requested data and make the payment. 

After the certificate is issued, it can be consulted for 3 months in the restricted area of the Registo Criminal Online portal, in "My requests". 

If you are living abroad, please fill in the application form for Certificate of Criminal Record of Foreign Resident. After filling in the data fields and attaching the requested documents and supporting documents, click the "send" button.

You will receive the certificate in the e-mail you indicate.

By phone (for Portuguese citizens only):

You need to have the Mobile Digital Key (CMD) active and have the id.gov.pt for Android, Huawei or iOS installed on a smartphone with biometrics capabilities (facial recognition or fingerprint).

Call the number 300 003 990 or (+351) 217 906 200 (available weekdays, from 09:00 to 18:00).

Follow the operator's instructions.

You will receive the certificate in the email you indicate.

In person

Portuguese citizens can request the certificate in one of the following desks:

Foreigners can only request the certificate in the following desks:

You will receive the certificate on paper with the consultation code.

By mail

This method is only for foreign residents.

If you want to request by mail, please fill in the application form for Certificate of Criminal Record for Resident Abroad. After filling in the fields with the data and attaching the requested documents and supporting documents, send it by mail to the following address: Direção de Serviços de Identificação Criminal, Av. D. João II, n.º 1.08.01 E - Piso 13º (Campus de Justiça, Parque das Nações), 1990-097 Lisboa, Portugal.

The criminal record certificate can be consulted by any person or entity that has the access code registered in the certificate, through the page consult criminal record certificate.

What is the price to request a criminal record certificate of an individual?

If the request is made online or in person (requests made in Portugal or abroad), has a cost of 5€. If the request is made by phone, it has a cost of €5 and must be paid by ATM.

Sending the certificate abroad by registered mail has a total cost of 8,25€ (if you choose to receive it by e-mail, you will not have any postage costs).

The certificate is free if requested for the following purposes:

  • the award of military medal/commemorative medal
  • the equality of rights status
  • the provision of services at the Armed Forces.

If you request the criminal record certificate through the Criminal Record Online portal, you can make the payment by credit card or ATM reference (use an ATM terminal or your bank's website under "Payment of services", with the reference given to you during the request).

If you request the criminal record certificate through the form available for those who live abroad, the means of payment are the following:

  • check over a Portuguese bank, or with representation in Portugal - made payable to the Portuguese Treasury and Public Debt Management Agency - IGCP
  • international money order in the name of the beneficiary entity, which is the Directorate General of the Administration of Justice
  • bank transfer in euros.

If you request the criminal record certificate in person, the means of payment are

  • cash
  • ATM.