Criminal Record Certificate Translation

Your criminal record certificate is one of the most time-sensitive documents in any Portuguese residency application. It’s required for almost every residence permit, and in most cases it’s only valid for three months from the date of issue. That means timing your translation carefully is essential.

I handle certified criminal record certificate translations in both directions – English to Portuguese for submission to AIMA and Portuguese authorities, and Portuguese to English as a GOV.UK authorised translator for British nationals.

Certified translation for Portugal (English to Portuguese)

A certified translation of your criminal record certificate is required in several key situations:

Applying for a residence permit through AIMA. Whether you’re on a D7 visa, a digital nomad visa, a D2, D3, student visa, or any other category, AIMA requires a criminal record certificate from your country of nationality or from any country where you’ve lived for more than one year. It must be translated and certified if it’s not already in Portuguese. See the AIMA document checklist for the full list of what you need.

Residence permit renewals. When renewing your temporary residence card, you may need to provide an updated criminal record certificate. The same three-month validity window applies, so don’t order it too early.

Portuguese citizenship applications. A criminal record certificate is part of the naturalisation process. It must be translated, certified, and accompanied by an apostille.

Family reunification. If a family member is joining you in Portugal, they’ll need their own criminal record certificate translated as part of the application.

Employment in regulated sectors. Some employers in Portugal, particularly in education, healthcare, and childcare, require a translated criminal record certificate as part of the hiring process.

All translations are certified by a Portuguese lawyer, as required by Portuguese law, and delivered ready for submission. Criminal record certificates vary significantly by country – a UK DBS check looks very different from an FBI Identity History Summary – but the process is the same: I handle the full translation, certification, and delivery so you receive a document that AIMA and other Portuguese authorities will accept without question.

Why timing matters

Criminal record certificates have a limited validity period, typically three months from the date of issue. If your certificate expires before your AIMA appointment or your application is processed, you’ll need to obtain a new one and have it translated again.

Given that AIMA appointment delays are common, this creates a real risk. My advice is to order your criminal record certificate as late as possible in the process. Wait until you have a confirmed appointment date, then work backwards to make sure the certificate will still be valid on that date.

If you’re not sure when to order yours, get in touch and I can help you plan the timing based on your appointment date.

UK authorised translation (Portuguese to English)

If you’re a British national who has obtained a Portuguese criminal record certificate (certificado de registo criminal) and needs it translated into English for UK authorities, I personally translate your Portuguese documents into English.

I’m listed on the GOV.UK directory as an authorised translator for British nationals in Portugal, and my translations are officially recognised by the UK government.

You might need this if:

• UK employment checks require proof of your criminal record status from a country where you’ve lived
• UK visa or immigration applications for a family member require a Portuguese criminal record certificate in English
• UK solicitors or legal proceedings need a verified English translation of a Portuguese criminal record document
• Professional registration bodies in the UK require a translated criminal record certificate from Portugal

Informal translation for personal understanding

If you’ve received a Portuguese criminal record certificate and simply want to understand what it says, I can provide an informal English translation. This isn’t legally certified, but it gives you a clear, accurate version in plain English so you know exactly what the document contains. Useful if you’re reviewing paperwork or need to share the content with an English-speaking adviser.

The apostille

Like other official documents, your criminal record certificate needs an apostille from the issuing country before the translation can be used officially in Portugal. Remember: apostille first, then translation. The certified translation must include the apostille text.

For UK DBS certificates, the apostille is obtained from the FCDO. For US FBI checks, you’ll need to contact the US Department of State. For other countries, see my guide to apostilles and legalisation.

Important: the apostille adds time to the process, which matters when your certificate is only valid for three months. Factor in the apostille turnaround when planning your timeline.

What you need to provide

Send me a clear scan or photograph of your criminal record certificate, including any apostille if already attached. The document should be fully legible with all text, stamps, and reference numbers visible.

Pricing and turnaround

A standard criminal record certificate translation including lawyer certification starts from €60. Most certificates are a single page.

For a GOV.UK authorised translation (Portuguese to English), pricing starts from €50.

Standard turnaround is 2 to 3 working days. Given the time-sensitive nature of this document, priority turnaround is available. If you have an upcoming AIMA appointment and need it fast, let me know the date.

If you need your criminal record translated as part of a larger set of documents for a residence permit, ask about bundle pricing.

Why work with me

I’m Duda. I handle the entire document process so you don’t have to navigate it yourself. I tell you exactly what you need, coordinate the certified translation through a Portuguese lawyer (as required by Portuguese law), review everything for accuracy, and deliver a document ready for submission.

For British nationals, I’m listed on the GOV.UK directory as an authorised translator and interpreter. My Portuguese-to-English translations are officially recognised by the UK government.

I trained as a lawyer in Brazil, I work in compliance and anti-money laundering, and I’ve personally navigated the AIMA process in Portugal. I know what Portuguese authorities expect because I’ve been through the process myself.

Frequently asked questions

How long is my criminal record certificate valid for? In most cases, three months from the date of issue. Check with the specific authority you’re submitting to, but three months is the standard for AIMA.

I have a UK DBS check. Is that accepted? Yes. A UK Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is the standard criminal record certificate for British nationals applying for residence in Portugal. It needs an apostille from the FCDO and a certified Portuguese translation.

I have an FBI Identity History Summary. Is that accepted? Yes. The FBI Identity History Summary (or a state-level background check, depending on AIMA’s requirements) serves as the criminal record certificate for American nationals. It needs an apostille and a certified translation.

My certificate shows no convictions. Does it still need translating? Yes. AIMA needs to verify the document in Portuguese regardless of whether it records any convictions.

Can I use a criminal record certificate from Portugal instead? If you’ve been living in Portugal, you may also need a Portuguese criminal record certificate (certificado de registo criminal), which you can obtain online. This one is already in Portuguese, so no translation is needed. However, you’ll still need the certificate from your home country or any country where you lived for more than a year.

What’s the difference between a certified translation and a GOV.UK authorised translation? A certified translation (English to Portuguese) is certified by a Portuguese lawyer and used for submissions to Portuguese authorities like AIMA. A GOV.UK authorised translation (Portuguese to English) is one I produce personally as a translator listed on the GOV.UK directory, recognised by UK government bodies.

Get a quote in minutes

Send me a photo or scan of your criminal record certificate on WhatsApp and I’ll reply with a price and timeline.

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Prefer email? eduardanejaimc@gmail.com

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