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Table of contents

What is a death certificate in Portugal?
What information does a Portuguese death certificate have?
How to obtain a death certificate in Portugal?
What documents are needed for death registration?
How long does it take to get a Portuguese death certificate?
Types of Portuguese death certificates
What is a certified translation of a death certificate?
How to translate a death certificate for legal purposes?
How to register a death abroad?
What is the role of the consulate in death certification?
What to do when someone dies in Portugal?
Can I see a death certificate for free?
What are the mortality statistics in Portugal?

Death

Certificate

08/01/2026

Obtain Death Certificate Portugal Online Fast

While it used to be necessary to visit a registry office in person to request a death certificate, it is now possible to obtain one online, saving time and effort.

In this article, we'll provide a step-by-step guide to the process of obtaining a Portuguese death certificate online, as well as some tips and resources to help you along the way.

Whether you're a resident of Portugal or a foreigner seeking to obtain a Portuguese death certificate from abroad, this guide will provide you with the information you need to get started.

What is a death certificate in Portugal?

A Portuguese death certificate is a legal document that records the death of a person in Portugal.

It includes information such as the deceased's name, date of death, place of death, and the cause of death.

The Portuguese death certificate is an important document for legal and administrative purposes in Portugal.

It is used for a variety of purposes, including settling an estate, claiming life insurance, closing bank accounts, transferring property ownership, and processing inheritance matters.

What information does a Portuguese death certificate have?

A Portuguese death certificate typically contains the following information:

Information	Description
Full name	The complete legal name of the deceased
Date of death	The official date when death occurred
Place of death	City, hospital, or location where death occurred
Date of birth	The deceased's birth date for identification
Last residence	The deceased's last place of residence
Marital status	Single, married, divorced, or widowed
Parents' names	Names of the deceased's father and mother
Spouse name	The name of the deceased's spouse (if applicable)
Cause of death	Medical cause recorded by a physician
Registration details	The date and place of the death registration

In addition to this basic information, a Portuguese death certificate may also include other details, such as the deceased's profession, nationality, and surviving children.

How to obtain a death certificate in Portugal?

To obtain a Portuguese death certificate online, follow these steps:

Click on the green button below
Enter the deceased's personal details (name, date of death, place of death)
Provide any additional information required (e.g. parents' names, date of birth)
Pay the applicable fee using a credit or debit card
Receive the certificate by email once it is issued

You can also submit your request in person at a Conservatória do Registo Civil or access civil registration records through the official Portuguese government portal.

What documents are needed for death registration?

When registering a death in Portugal, the following documents are required:

Document	Required
Medical death certificate	Yes
Deceased's identification (ID card or passport)	Yes
Identification of the person reporting the death	Yes
Marriage certificate	If applicable
Birth certificate of the deceased	Sometimes required

Always contact your local civil registry for confirmation, as requirements may vary depending on the situation.

How long does it take to get a Portuguese death certificate?

Processing times depend on the method used:

Method	Processing Time
Online request	24–48 hours (email delivery)
In-person at a Conservatória	Same day in most cases
With apostille or legalization	3–10 business days
Archived records	Additional time may be required

Older or archived records may require extra processing time.

Types of Portuguese death certificates

Portugal offers different types of death certificates depending on how they will be used:

Full Death Certificate (Certidão de Óbito Completa)

Includes all details recorded in the civil registry, such as cause of death, family information, and inheritance-related annotations.

Short Death Certificate (Certidão de Óbito Narrativa)

A simplified version containing only essential information. Commonly used for insurance claims, bank account closures, and basic administrative procedures.

Certified / Legalized Death Certificate

A death certificate with apostille or legalization, required for international use, such as inheritance proceedings abroad or immigration matters.

What is a certified translation of a death certificate?

A certified translation is an official translation carried out by an authorized or sworn translator.

It is required when a Portuguese death certificate must be used in another language for legal or administrative purposes abroad.

The translation includes a formal statement confirming its accuracy.

How to translate a death certificate for legal purposes?

Follow these steps to obtain a legally valid translation:

Obtain the original Portuguese death certificate
Choose a certified or sworn translator
Submit the document for translation
Request notarization, if required
Apply for an apostille, if needed for international use

Using certified translation services ensures your documents are legally recognized abroad.

How to register a death abroad?

If a Portuguese citizen dies abroad, the death must be registered in Portugal:

Contact the Portuguese consulate in the country of death
Obtain the local death certificate
Submit the required documents to the consulate
The consulate registers the death with the Portuguese civil registry
Request the Portuguese death certificate once registration is complete

What is the role of the consulate in death certification?

Portuguese consulates assist citizens abroad by:

Guiding families through the registration process
Verifying required documents
Coordinating with Portuguese civil registries
Issuing Portuguese death certificates
Assisting with legalization and apostille services

What to do when someone dies in Portugal?

Important steps include:

Medical certification of death by a physician
Registering the death within 48 hours
Notifying banks, social security, and authorities
Requesting multiple death certificate copies
Handling inheritance and estate matters

Can I see a death certificate for free?

Official death certificates require payment of registry fees
Basic statistical information may be publicly accessible
Immediate family members may have limited access rights

A formal request is required for official documentation.

What are the mortality statistics in Portugal?

Portugal maintains official mortality statistics covering:

Annual death rates and causes
Regional mortality data
Public health trends

These statistics are published by the National Statistics Institute (INE) and used for public health research and planning.

Key Takeaways

Obtaining a Portuguese death certificate online is a simple and efficient solution for handling legal and administrative matters.

Whether you are in Portugal or abroad, this guide provides everything you need to apply with confidence.

AnchorLess is here to help ensure a smooth, compliant, and stress-free process.

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