Marriage and de facto or civil partnerships in Portugal
In this page you will find information on:
A marriage in Portugal is valid only if it is registered. To register a marriage, the respective procedure must be initiated.
Find out how to initiate the marriage procedure, the rules to be complied with and the documents that must presented, particularly in the case of a foreign national who wishes to marry in Portugal.
Find out more about marriage and de facto partnerships in this practical guide.
Marriage certificate
A marriage certificate is provided free of charge after the marriage has been registered.
The marriage certificate is a document that confirms the facts set out in the register of marriages.
A marriage certificate can be applied for at any time. Find out how to apply for a paper or electronic marriage certificate.
Right to Portuguese nationality
Any foreign person who has been married or in a de facto partnership for over 3 years with a Portuguese citizen has the right to Portuguese nationality.
Find out how to apply for Portuguese nationality.
Portuguese Citizen Card
Children registered in Portugal who have been awarded Portuguese nationality have the right to a Portuguese Citizen Card.
The Citizen Card is a physical document with digital functionalities that makes it possible to identify the holder before any public or private entity.
For people to be considered to be in a de facto partnership they must have formed a couple, live in the same house and have lived together for at least 2 years.
De facto partnership in Portugal is not a marital status. Its recognition, however, has some effects similar to marriage.
Find out more about marriage and de facto partnerships in this practical guide.
Living in a de facto partnership is not a valid condition for a foreign person to be able to apply for Portuguese nationality.
For more information or if you need help, please contact Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado (IRN):
- phone: 211 950 500