Children of Portuguese citizens may acquire Portuguese nationality, even if born abroad. However, in certain cases, it is necessary to transcribe the parents’ marriage into the Portuguese civil registry for the nationality application to be approved.
Transcription is required when the child was born during the parents’ marriage, celebrated abroad, and that marriage has not yet been registered in Portugal.
- If the father is a Portuguese citizen, transcription is generally mandatory so that paternity is automatically recognised.
- If the mother is a Portuguese citizen, transcription may also be required, particularly if the child was born during the marriage, and it is necessary to confirm the mother’s marital status and filiation based on the foreign birth certificate.
Transcription is not necessary if the child was born outside marriage and filiation has been recognised by other means (registration, declaration, etc.), or if the marriage has already been transcribed into the Portuguese civil registry.
If transcription is required but has not yet been done, the nationality process may be suspended or refused until the situation is regularised. In these cases, civil registry offices usually notify the applicant during the process, requesting the transcription before making a decision.
Before submitting the nationality application, it is advisable to:
- Confirm whether transcription will be required.
- Check if the marriage has already been transcribed in Portugal.
- If not, proceed with the transcription by submitting the foreign marriage certificate, duly legalised and translated, if applicable.
Marriage transcription is not just a bureaucratic step — it can be essential for the Portuguese State to formally recognise filiation and grant nationality to the child. Addressing this requirement early can help avoid delays or refusals.
Nationality Department
Ana Santos Fontes | Maria Moura Fonseca | Ana Luíza Fronczak
