Fully Adopted Minors by Portuguese Citizens

Main Criteria:

• Full adoption recognized by a Portuguese judicial decision.

• The adoptive parent must be a Portuguese citizen.

• The adopted child is considered the child of the adoptive parent for all legal purposes.

1. Adults Adopted Before Reaching Adulthood

   Main Criteria:

   • Fully adopted while still a minor.

   • The adoption must have been carried out according to Portuguese law or homologated in Portugal.

2. Adopted Persons with Effective Connection to Portugal

   Main Criteria:

   • Even after adoption, it may be necessary to prove the adopted person's integration into Portuguese society.
     Examples of Effective Connection:

   • Residence in Portugal.

   • School attendance.

   • Family and cultural ties.

3. International Adoption Recognized in Portugal

   Main Criteria:

   • Adoption decision made by another country must be recognized and homologated by a Portuguese court.

4. Special Cases of Child Protection

   • Children under the custody or guardianship of Portuguese citizens, in exceptional situations, may be granted nationality if there is a judicial decision for full adoption.

Documents Required to Obtain Portuguese Nationality by Adoption

1. Adopted Person's Birth Certificate

   • Original and legalized/apostilled (if issued outside Portugal).

   • Sworn translation, if not in Portuguese.

2. Full Adoption Certificate

   • Judicial decision confirming the full adoption, duly registered in Portugal.

   • If the adoption occurred abroad, the decision must be homologated by a Portuguese court.

3. Adoptive Parent's Birth Certificate

   • Document proving the Portuguese nationality of the adoptive parent.

4. Identification Documents

   • Identity document or passport of the adopted person.

   • Citizen card or passport of the Portuguese adoptive parent.

5. Proof of Residence in Portugal (if applicable)

   • May be required in some cases to demonstrate the integration of the adopted person into Portuguese society.

6. Criminal Record Certificate (for individuals over 16)

   • Certificates issued by:

     • The adopted person’s country of origin.

     • Countries where the adopted person lived after the age of 16.

     • Portuguese authorities (Polícia Judiciária).

   • Should be legalized/apostilled and translated, if necessary.

7. Proof of Payment of Fees

   • Receipt or proof of payment of administrative fees, generally between €175 and €250.