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English-Speaking Certificate Applications in Portugal

Searching for Certificate Applications in Portugal Service? Customer reviews to help you select from the best, most experienced Lawyers in Portugal

Client testimonials

Highly professional, efficient service. Response to our urgent email almost immediately. Our lawyer, very approachable and helpful with the handling of this case and intercepting everything into Engli... [read more]

Rhona Goodwin (Nov, 16 2022)

"I found the service very helpful and easy to use. It took the fear out of employing a legal service in that it was upfront and transparent and reasonably priced."

Derry Conran (Nov, 02 2022)

"Very responsive and reached out to me via phone call to set up a consultation. Answered all my questions and was willing to help."

Natalie Stephens (Oct, 24 2022)

"Proactive, always helpful and ready to answer questions, took control of my issue and clearly explained what I needed to do. Good value."

Jerry Lockspeiser (Oct, 16 2022)

"Very professional and knowledgeable. Came well-prepared to the meeting. I am extremely satisfied."

Piotr Nagalski (Oct, 11 2022)

"Responsible, understanding, good personal contact. Always finding time for us, very kind and helpful."

Paul Tapper (Aug, 09 2022)

"My lawyer was amazing. Every question quickly answered."

Marc (May, 19 2022)

"Amazing service. Would recommend to everyone."

Noreen Murphy (Mar, 18 2022)

Excellent service, very quick to explain all procedures and possible outcomes. Once our lawyer began, the service was extremely professional and thorough, with clear communication at every stage. The... [read more]

Malcolm Shaw (Mar, 07 2022)

I found my lawyer to be prompt with all responses. My requirement was identified and understood, and I was advised of any potential complications. I found the service provided to be both professional... [read more]

Elizabeth (Feb, 02 2022)

"Very, very happy with the service provided. I would definitely recommend my lawyer and would be very happy to use the service again. I felt in good hands immediately."

Joanne Mulvany (Feb, 01 2022)

"My lawyer was responsive and engaged and always willing to help. Everything went smoothly, and I received explanations regarding all the caveats. I highly recommend this service."

Tomasz Weglinski (Jan, 18 2022)

"Our lawyer was very helpful, professional and kind - nothing was too much trouble. If I left a message, we got a reply within 24 hours. Would recommend this service to anyone."

Michael Bailey (Dec, 13 2021)

Laura was great. Of course I was hesitant sending money overseas to someone I didn't know but after speaking to Laura I was at ease. Laura always responded to my emails and when I informed her that I never received my paperwork in the mail, there were no questions and she sent out more paper special delivery which I received within a week. If need be I would contact Laura to have work done and will advise any friends to do the same.

Joseph Costa (Aug, 16 2021)

"I was extremely pleased with the whole service."

Rex Millward (Jul, 02 2021)

Established more than
10 years ago

Present in 20
European Countries

Over 30,000 client enquiries
successfully managed

Service Details

Certificate Applications

Available in the following locations: Aveiro, Faro, Lisbon, Portimao, Porto

* If your local town is not listed, a lawyer from our nearest office will be happy to assist you.

Who Is This Service For?

There are several reasons why it can be necessary to obtain a certificate from a country that you once lived in:

You may need to so in order to successfully complete a legal process, including taking-up employment that requires a clean criminal record certificate or perhaps a certificate of divorce in order to re-marry or a certificate of marriage which can be required for a number of administrative processes.

Issues can also arise where errors in your documentation can cause an inordinate amount of hassle and stress, preventing you from accessing and completing necessary administrative procedures.

What Does This Service Consist Of?

Initial discussion with the lawyer to obtain the relevant details of the certificate required
Application locally to obtain the certificate
Contacting the relevant administrative authorities to amend documentation
Emission of the certificate and sent to you by courier

Free Support Services Included

When combined with the free and innovative Advocate Abroad support services you can be sure that you are obtaining completely transparent legal services from registered and regulated English-speaking lawyers abroad.These support services include:

Verification of the regulatory status of your professional.
Fees as recommended by the Local Professional Body
Fees specified in advance and legally guaranteed.
Service levels agreed in advance and guaranteed.
All professionals must hold professional indemnity insurance.
Professionals' proficiency in English monitored.
Continuous quality controls and reviews.

Why choose Advocate Abroad?

Our Lawyers

Diana Maria, Lawyer in Porto

Diana is a lawyer whose areas of expertise encompass tax planning, company set-up, immigration and property matters. While Diana spent her early life in China, she is originally from Oporto, Portugal. She returned and graduated from the University of Coimbra. Diana has participated in various M&A transactions, having gained a broad understanding in cross-border corporate matters. She works alongside UK, Portugal, France, Germany and many countries in Africa in cross-border contracts for fiscal optimisation.

Elsa, Lawyer in Lisbon

Cases completed 33

Elsa has been running a private legal practice since 2004, assisting both national and international clients in civil and business legal matters. In a... [read more]

Elsa has been running a private legal practice since 2004, assisting both national and international clients in civil and business legal matters. In addition to her primary law degree, Elsa later obtained a Master’s Degree at the University of Austin, in the United States, with a postgraduate doctorate in international trade as well as mediation, arbitration and negotiation.

Customer Reviews

Erika Samis Mar, 08 2023

Very kind, understanding, helpful, and responsive. I really appreciated Elsa's efforts on my case.

Peter Lewis May, 12 2023

Elsa provided excellent, friendly, and professional service in preparing documents for my fiancee and me. I would recommend her services! Thank you Elsa. [View all G o o g l e Reviews]

Pascale, Lisbon Jul, 31 2023

I had the pleasure to meet Elsa through Advocate Abroad. She helped me with the purchase of my condo in Lisbon.

Elsa was very efficient, kind and experimented. She reviewed all the property documents and attended the closing with me so she could explain the content of the deed that was, of course written in Portuguese. I would hire Elsa again for my next real estate transaction. [View all G o o g l e Reviews]

Laura, Lawyer in Lisbon

Cases completed 50

Laura is a registered lawyer with the Bar Association of Portugal. Coming from a family background of lawyers, Laura has learned quickly the value of ... [read more]

Laura is a registered lawyer with the Bar Association of Portugal. Coming from a family background of lawyers, Laura has learned quickly the value of in-depth knowledge and expertise in a restricted number of legal fields. She specialises in matters of property law, family law as well as criminal law and immigration matters.

Customer Reviews

Joseph Costa, U.S. Aug, 16 2021

Laura was great. Of course I was hesitant sending money overseas to someone I didn't know but after speaking to Laura I was at ease.

Laura always responded to my emails and when I informed her that I never received my paperwork in the mail, there were no questions and she sent out more paper special delivery which I received within a week.

If need be I would contact Laura to have work done and will advise any friends to do the same.

Clifton Fernandes, Lisbon Jan, 25 2021

One of the most responsive and helpful professionals. Very well versed with the laws. Absolutely most recommended.

Chris Greve, Lisbon Jan, 14 2021

Fast and helpful service.

Pedro Castro, London Oct, 01 2020

Great service and professionalism.

Teresa, Lawyer in Faro

Cases completed 162

Teresa read law at the University of Coimbra. She is specialised in civil law, contracts, property and inheritance case, with more than 10 years repre... [read more]

Teresa read law at the University of Coimbra. She is specialised in civil law, contracts, property and inheritance case, with more than 10 years representing international clients. She holds a postgraduate degree in Banking, Stock Exchange and Insurance Law and also holds the specialization course leading to the degree of Master of Corporate Law. A well-known speaker, Teresa's research focuses on issues of economic and financial law, as well as fundamental rights. She speaks English fluently.

Customer Reviews

Edwin Roberts Oct, 04 2022

Teresa and her team were immediately very responsive to our inquiry and remained as such throughout their service.

Teresa's team clearly understood our needs and objectives and through their network of established local contacts, they were able to accomplish our goals timely and with professionalism and competence.

Teresa always offered to make herself or her team available to respond to any questions or concerns that we might have had, and has stayed in touch with us to offer support throughout the visa process. Teresa clearly exceeded our expectations based on your evaluation criteria listed above.

We will no doubt have additional legal matters in the future and will have no hesitation Teresa to assist us with a range of Portuguese legalities.

Overall, a fantastic job. A huge thanks to the team and advocate abroad.

Lydia Payten Sep, 20 2022

Was happy with the service.

One improvement I would suggest: I received an email aimed at Americans which uses different terminology than the UK. So this could be addressed for future correspondence.

Dawn Ryan May, 11 2022

I was very happy to use the services of Teresa as I wanted someone I could communicate with in English, as I don't speak Portuguese. Teresa's English was perfect.

I was happy with the costs of the service and she helped ensure that my tight deadline was met.

I intend to use Teresa's services again in the future and would happily recommend to others.

Rebecca McKay, Aveiro Dec, 20 2021

We used Teresa at Advocate Abroad and she was great! The house we brought had paperwork missing which took a number of weeks for the sellers solicitor to sort out.

Teresa kept chasing the sellers solicitor and kept us up to date, she explained the entire process and also acted as our interpreter.

She went through all the plans of the house and explained what each document was, she was knowledgeable and gave us information on property/planning laws in Portugal.

I would recommend Teresa and if we ever buy another property we will use Teresa again. [View all G o o g l e Reviews]

Lenita Martins Bandeira, Caldas da Rainha Nov, 16 2021

She was very accessible, friendly and fast to reply. I would recommend her.

Erich von Schiller, Porto Nov, 04 2021

Teresa is absolutely wonderful. She’s dedicated and shows great passion and caring.

I’m only halfway through the process and still will need assistance to have my spouse join me in Portugal, but I have no doubt all will turn out beautifully with the continued assistance of Teresa.

Thank you for putting me in her exceptionally trustworthy hands!

Vernon Petch, Faro Sep, 16 2021

Teresa and her associates were extremely helpful and professional in their work to achieve our needs, many thanks.

Chris Sorrentino, Faro Sep, 10 2021

Teresa was very helpful and always got back to me promptly when I had questions. She made herself available by phone during my appointment with SEF, ensuring I left as a Portuguese resident. Obrigado!

Cleta Germany, Porto Aug, 30 2021

Anxiety and worries over the SEF Meeting....ALL GONE :):):) Teresa was fantastic. She got the job done.
If not for COVID-19 I would have given her a big hug. I want to tell all of my expat friends...."please take a fiscal rep with you to your SEF appointment and I know just the person." :))

Michael Roch Aug, 25 2021

Teresa is super professional and can only recommend her . Best service ever

Sean Miller Jul, 07 2021

Teresa went above and beyond to ensure she attended to everything everything I needed, and explained every step of the process to me clearly and patiently.

Simon O'Callaghan, Faro Jun, 17 2021

During Covid times communication was easy and replied to queries I had.

Great service and would recommend to others with poor Portuguese as they translated everything sent to me and replied to my messages in English which was a great help to me.

Fernando Alvarado Jacobs, Aveiro Jun, 12 2021

A very nice lawyer who helped me quickly solve my presented problems. In addition, she presented and helped me to solve the various things that one must have as a resident in Portugal.

As can be seen from the answers above, I am very pleased with the help I have received.

Meaghan Johnson, Porto Jun, 09 2021

Very informative, very responsive, and my NIF was provided very promptly

Desiree Wattrus, Castelo Branco Jun, 05 2021

The service we received was professional and they did explain and provide feedback. The Tax number was obtained and the Bank account opened in a timely manner.

Whenever we had queries we could get hold of the person concerned and if not they would phone you back which we did appreciate.