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 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.

    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 on the right side of the page and schedule.

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

    Each certificate request has a cost of 5 €

    The certificate is valid for 3 months.

Who can request a criminal record certificate of an individual?

  • If it is your own criminal record certificate

    Any individual over 16 years old.

  • If it is somebody else’s criminal record certificate

    Any duly authorized individual over 18 years old.

    • If it is the certificate of an individual over 18 years old, you must hold a written authorization from that individual to request it.
    • If it is the certificate of a minor (over 16 years old) or disabled individual, you must prove that you have the powers to request it.

    In these cases, the request may only be carried out in person.

  • If you are a foreign national and wish to apply for or renew your residence permit, it is not necessary to request the certificate of criminal record or the certificate of good conduct. The consultation of the criminal record is made by the Aliens and Borders Service, after you have given your consent at the time of the application or renewal of the residence permit.

    In nationality and name change proceedings, it is not necessary to submit the criminal record certificate to the Registry Office. The Registry Office accesses the services directly.

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

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

  • By Phone

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

  • 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

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:

You need to have the Mobile Digital Key (CMD) active and have the authentication.gov app for Android or for 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

Go to one of the counters where it is possible to apply for the Criminal Records Certificate. 

Fill in the requested data. 

Make the payment. 

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.