The certified translation that AIMA and the civil registries require for your nationality or residence application
Anyone handling submitting a nationality application, a residence permit or family reunification in Portugal soon meets the same requirement: documents issued in another language must be submitted with a certified translation. AIMA — the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum, the public body that replaced the former SEF — and the Civil Registry offices (IRN) only accept foreign documentation when it is accompanied by a certified translation prepared as Portuguese law requires. At GT-Traduções we have worked with this kind of application for four decades, and we know in detail what each authority expects to receive needs.
The difference between a translation that is accepted and one that is returned rarely lies in linguistic quality — it lies in meeting the formalities. The order in which a document is legalised and translated, the requirement to present the original and the individual certification of each document are details that, when overlooked, set an application back by weeks. We make sure every item is prepared correctly the first time, so that your request moves forward without rejections.
Do you have documents to submit to AIMA or a civil registry?
We review your list of documents and tell you exactly what needs to be translated, certified or apostilled — with no unnecessary steps and no last-minute surprises.
Contact our teamWhich documents require certified translation in these applications
Nationality and residence applications almost always rest on the same set of official documents. We regularly translate and certify the following:
- Birth certificate — a core document in nationality applications through naturalisation, marriage or length of residence, and frequently required for family reunification.
- Marriage certificate — essential in nationality applications through marriage and in establishing the family relationship before AIMA.
- Criminal record from the country of origin — a document that is sensitive on validity periods, which we translate and certify while fully preserving stamps and official annotations.
- Academic certificates and diplomas — required where an application depends on academic or professional qualifications.
- Proof of residence and means of subsistence — documents that support the requirements for establishing yourself in Portugal.
- Identification documents and supporting certificates — whenever the authority requests them as part of the application.
Certification, apostille and the correct order of steps
In Portugal, the certification of translations is carried out by a notary, a lawyer or a solicitor. When a document comes from another country and requires international recognition, the Hague Apostille also comes into play. The order of these steps is not interchangeable — and it is where many applications stumble.
Notary certification
The translation is certified by a notary, lawyer or solicitor, who attests to the correspondence between the original and the translated text. Each document is, as a rule, certified individually — the authorities do not accept several documents combined into a single certification.
CIOL standards
As members of the Chartered Institute of Linguists, we apply a multi-stage quality assurance process. Official terminology, proper names and figures are recreated faithfully, so the translation withstands the scrutiny of AIMA and the registry.
Hague Apostille
Where international legalisation applies, the apostille is obtained first and the translation follows — so the translation also covers the content of the apostille. We handle this step for you, avoiding documents returned because the apostille was added out of sequence.
Need to know the right order for your case?
Every application has its own sequence of apostille, translation and certification. We set out the correct path and provide a clear quote, document by document.
Request a quote WhatsAppTypes of project we handle
Nationality through length of residence
A foreign applicant’s birth certificate and criminal record, translated and certified individually to support the application filed at the registry.
AIMA residence permit
Proof of means of subsistence and identification documents prepared in line with AIMA’s formal requirements.
Family reunification
A marriage certificate apostilled in the country of origin and then translated, covering both original and apostille, for the reunification process before AIMA.
Why trust GT-Traduções
Since 1986 we have supported official applications in Portugal. We know what AIMA and the civil registries expect to receive.
We review your list of documents before translating, so each item follows the right format from the outset.
Every translation is reviewed for terminology, names and figures before it goes forward for certification.
The rigour of the Chartered Institute of Linguists upholds every document we prepare.
Personal and sensitive documents are handled with full confidentiality and data protection.
We arrange the Hague Apostille in the correct order, avoiding returns caused by steps taken out of sequence.
Frequently asked questions
Does the translation have to be “sworn” for AIMA?
In Portugal the term is certified translation, not sworn translation. Certification is carried out by a notary, lawyer or solicitor, who attests to the correspondence between the original and the translation. This is the format that AIMA and the civil registries recognise.
Do I have to submit the original with the translation?
Usually yes. These applications generally require the original document to be presented alongside the certified translation. We tell you clearly what to gather for each authority.
Can several documents share a single certification?
As a rule, no. Each document is certified individually, since the authorities do not accept the translation of several documents combined into a single act. The quote we provide reflects this, document by document.
Do I translate first or apostille first?
Where international legalisation applies, the apostille comes first and the translation follows. That way the translation also covers the content of the apostille. Translating before apostilling risks repeating the work — which is why we always confirm the correct order for your case.
Let’s move your application forward with confidence
Send us your list of documents and we will tell you what needs certified translation, certification and apostille — with a clear quote and a reply in under four working hours. Office in Loulé, serving the whole of the Algarve and the country.
Request a quoteor call +351 934 602 625 · [email protected]
