Carolina
Lawyer · Lisbon, Portugal
- 366 cases handled · 9 in this service
- 4+ years in practice
- Speaks: Spanish, English, Portuguese
- Law, University of Coimbra
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4.91(11 reviews)
Divorce Certificate or Decree Copy in Portugal
In Portugal a divorce is proved by the marriage certificate with the divorce noted on it (certidão de casamento com averbamento de divórcio) or by a certified copy of the court or registry decision. English-speaking lawyers in Portugal request the right document, add the apostille and translation for use abroad, and advise when a foreign divorce has to be recognised first.
About Divorce Certificate or Decree Copy in Portugal
People ask for a divorce certificate, a divorce decree, divorce papers or a certidão de divórcio. In Portugal there is no separate certificate of that name: a divorce is recorded as a note (averbamento) on the marriage entry at the civil registry, so the usual proof is the marriage certificate showing that note, and the other is a certified copy of the decision that ended the marriage, whether by a court (sentença de divórcio) or, in divorces by mutual consent, by the registry office itself. Some older lists and lawyer pages call this service “Certificate of Divorce”. English-speaking lawyers in Portugal obtain either document and prepare it for use at home or abroad.
When it is needed
- Marrying again in Portugal or elsewhere.
- Residence, citizenship and pension files that ask for current marital status.
- Property and inheritance matters, where the date of the divorce decides who owns what.
- Having a Portuguese divorce accepted in another country, or a foreign divorce accepted in Portugal.
How it works in Portugal
If the divorce was by mutual consent before a Conservatória do Registo Civil, the registry holds both the decision and the updated marriage entry, and an updated certificate can be ordered online or at any registry. If a court granted the divorce, the court holds the judgment and the registry holds the note; a certified copy of the judgment with confirmation that it is final (trânsito em julgado) comes from the court, and the certificate from the registry. For use abroad the prosecution service adds an apostille, and a certified translation is usually requested. Divorces granted outside the EU are not simply noted in the Portuguese registry: they first go through recognition by a Portuguese court, see recognition of a foreign divorce and enforcement of foreign judgments.
What to look out for
Foreign authorities often insist on a "divorce certificate" that Portugal does not issue in that form; a short covering explanation from the lawyer with the annotated marriage certificate usually resolves it. The exact wording and date of the note matter for a remarriage, see marriage registration. This page is general information, not legal advice.
What a lawyer does
Locates the registry or court, requests the certificate or the judgment, checks that the note is complete, arranges the apostille and translation and, if you are abroad, acts under a power of attorney. Where the marriage itself still has to be ended, see divorce.
Questions and answers
Is there a divorce certificate in Portugal?
Not as a separate document. The marriage certificate with the divorce note is the standard proof, and a copy of the decision is available where the decision itself is wanted.
Which one will a foreign registry accept?
It depends on the receiving body. Many accept the annotated marriage certificate; some ask for the judgment as well. Asking first avoids a second order.
Can I get it without the case number?
Usually yes: the names, the date of the marriage and the place of the divorce are enough to trace the entry.
Do I need an apostille?
For use outside Portugal in most cases, unless an EU standard form or a treaty applies; the receiving body decides.
My divorce was abroad. Can it be noted in Portugal?
Divorces from EU courts generally yes, under EU rules; others after a recognition procedure before a Portuguese court.
5 lawyers who provide Divorce Certificate or Decree Copy in Portugal
Sorted by experience in this service. Write to any of them — the reply comes from the lawyer, without obligation.
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Elsa
Lawyer · Lisbon, Portugal
- 640 cases handled · 5 in this service
- 29+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Portuguese
- Law, Autonoma University Lisbon
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4.88(11 reviews)
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Teresa
Lawyer · Faro, Portugal
- 948 cases handled · 1 in this service
- 16+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Portuguese, French
- Law, Coimbra University
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4.99(60 reviews)
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Jorge
Lawyer · Porto, Portugal
- 116 cases handled
- 9+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Portuguese
- Law, Coimbra
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5.00(6 reviews)
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Goncalo
Lawyer · Lagos, Portugal
- 55 cases handled
- 7+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Spanish, Portuguese, French
- Degree in Law, Universidade de Lisboa
Contact form · a chat with a lawyer
Talk to a lawyer about Divorce Certificate or Decree Copy
5 registered lawyers provide this service in Portugal. Describe your situation in a short chat — what happened, where, and how to reach you. Your enquiry is reviewed and passed to a lawyer who handles exactly this kind of case, with no obligation.
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Enquiries are answered by lawyers of AdvocateAbroad. This site provides legal information, not legal advice.
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What our clients say about our service in Portugal
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My case was very complex and the lawyer could easily have given up on it, but she carried on and did her best. She is bilingual in English and Spanish, which removed any confusion and really saved on translation costs. Her attitude was professional.
— Heather30 Jan 2026Divorce Certificate or Decree Copy -
I recently worked with a lawyer who managed to get my divorce certificate within the promised timeline, even though the information I first gave was limited. From our very first contact she showed great professionalism and expertise. She was patient and understanding and took me through the process step by step, and her English was perfect, so I never had trouble following. I was truly impressed by her attention to detail and her commitment to my case. I am grateful for her dedication and support at what could have been a stressful time, and I was completely satisfied with the result. I highly recommend her to anyone who needs legal assistance. Thank you for the outstanding service!
— Yvonne08 Aug 2025 -
Although our deadline was very tight, the lawyer went well beyond our expectations to get us a legal document in time. She replied quickly and kept us posted as things progressed. I highly recommend her to anyone who needs this kind of help.
— Mona17 Apr 2025Divorce Certificate or Decree Copy -
The lawyer was patient with me while there were a few delays on my side. Once everything she needed had arrived from the UK, she moved fairly fast, and I was kept up to date all along. She provided a great service and I would definitely recommend her.
— Nicola17 Apr 2025Divorce Certificate or Decree Copy -
The lawyer was very helpful, even suggesting that I use the Turkish embassy here for notary services instead of paying for another solicitor, which would have cost more. He stayed in touch and kept me informed about everything. I would highly recommend both this service and him.
— Liz05 Mar 2025Divorce Certificate or Decree Copy -
I had a fantastic experience with the lawyer in Girona! She guided me through the Spanish legal system and answered my questions. She was easy to approach and replied to my messages as fast as she could. I highly recommend her.
— Customer13 Jun 2024Divorce Certificate or Decree Copy -
My partner's Turkish divorce certificate had to be certified as a copy for his UK visa application, and neither of us had any idea how to arrange it. Through this service I contacted the lawyer, and I was pleased that she grasped immediately what was needed and set it out clearly for both of us. The stress was taken out of the process and we felt completely sure it would be wrapped up fast. That is exactly what happened, and the expert advice has our gratitude.
— Debra11 Mar 2024Divorce Certificate or Decree Copy -
She was very helpful and settled the matter in good time and with sensitivity.
— Joanna11 Mar 2024Divorce Certificate or Decree Copy -
At the first contact, the lawyer took the time to email me because my mobile number had the wrong country code attached, and he wrote again later to check whether I still needed support. Working with him on a time-sensitive request was an exemplary experience. He used the information I supplied and got me what I asked for remarkably efficiently. It was also very good value for money, though that did not matter to me, since the priority was obtaining the document. He appreciated how important my request was and updated me at every step, and I was very satisfied with the outcome. Should I need more support in future from my time living in Spain, I would not hesitate to recommend him or to contact him again.
— Michelle31 Jul 2023 -
The lawyer was absolutely amazing. My situation was urgent, and she dealt with it quickly and efficiently: within literally 2-3 days everything was sorted, and the documents reached me the following day. My thanks go to her and her team. Great service that I will recommend to anyone.
— Erdem01 Jun 2023Divorce Certificate or Decree Copy -
I contacted the service for help with a legal problem and within just a few minutes the lawyer contacted me. He immediately told me what I needed to do and what would happen. He was very efficient, professional and non-judgemental at all times, and his English was perfect. Furthermore, he did everything possible to help me. I would recommend him to anyone looking for a hard-working, honest solicitor. He was a gentleman.
— Christina24 Apr 2023 -
A fast response and excellent advice.
— Elena03 Jan 2023