Americans in Portugal
FBI Background Check Apostille in Lisbon
How Americans living in Lisbon get fingerprinted locally, request their FBI report, and have it apostilled for use in Portugal — all by mail.
Quick answer
Get fingerprinted in Lisbon on FBI FD-258 cards at a local police station or fingerprinting service, then submit them to the FBI or an FBI-approved channeler that accepts international cards. When your Identity History Summary arrives, mail it to us: we apostille it in Washington, D.C., and ship it back to Lisbon. Portugal accepts a U.S. apostille — the Apostille Convention has been in force there since 4 February 1969.
- Portugal route
- Apostille
- Translation
- Certified Portuguese translation usually required.
- Price
- $299 + $99 worldwide return
- Turnaround
- 10–12 business days once we receive your report
Why Americans in Lisbon need it
Portugal’s D7 and digital nomad visas commonly require a criminal record certificate from your country of nationality. Because only the FBI holds your nationwide U.S. record, it can’t be replaced by anything you get locally — and because it’s a federal document, only the U.S. Department of State can authenticate it.
Fingerprinting: the only step that happens in Lisbon
After your prints are taken, everything is paperwork by mail — first with the FBI, then with us. The prints themselves have to be taken where you are:
- Where: a local police station or a private fingerprinting service in Lisbon. Call ahead — not every station offers it, and some want an appointment.
- What to bring: blank FBI FD-258 fingerprint cards and your passport. Ask for rolled prints in black ink.
- Take two sets. If the FBI rejects one card for quality, the spare saves you another appointment and weeks of delay.
- The U.S. Embassy in Lisbon generally doesn’t take fingerprints for FBI checks — confirm before relying on it.
Step by step from Lisbon
Get fingerprinted
Two full sets on FD-258 cards, with your identifying details filled in exactly as on your passport.
Request your FBI report
Submit your cards to the FBI or an FBI-approved channeler that accepts international cards, and ask for the version suitable for apostille.
Order online and mail us the report
Send the FBI-issued report to our processing office by tracked courier, exactly as issued — no notarization, staples or markings.
Apostille in Washington, D.C.
We hand-deliver the report to the U.S. Department of State for the apostille.
Shipped to Lisbon
Returned by tracked international courier, with a certified translation if you ordered one.
What Portugal requires
Portugal accepts a U.S. apostille — the Apostille Convention has been in force there since 4 February 1969. Certified Portuguese translation usually required. Receiving offices often want the report issued within the last three to six months, so time your fingerprinting close to your filing date.
More detail on the route for Portugal: FBI background check for Portugal · all documents for Portugal.
Official sources: FBI — Identity History Summary Checks · FBI — Approved Channelers · U.S. Department of State — Authenticate Your Document · HCCH — Apostille Convention status table (Hague countries).
FBI check from Lisbon — FAQ
Can you get the FBI check for me?
Only in person: we take fingerprints and run FBI checks by appointment at our West Palm Beach and Miami offices in Florida. From abroad, request the report from the FBI or an approved channeler, then mail it to us for the apostille.
Can I get fingerprinted at the U.S. Embassy in Lisbon?
U.S. embassies and consulates generally don't take fingerprints for FBI background checks. Confirm with the embassy, but plan on a local police station or fingerprinting service in Lisbon.
How long does an apostilled FBI check take from Lisbon?
About 10–12 business days once your FBI report reaches us, plus international return shipping. The FBI’s own processing comes first and depends on how you submit.
How much does it cost?
$299 for the apostille, plus $99 worldwide return shipping. Government fees are included. The FBI and any channeler charge their own fees for the report.
Do I need a translation in Portugal?
Certified Portuguese translation usually required. We can arrange certified translation with your order.
Is the FBI check the same as a Portugal criminal record certificate?
No. The FBI check covers your U.S. record. If you've lived in Portugal for a while, authorities may also ask for a local certificate from Portugal's own authorities.
What if my fingerprints are rejected?
The FBI rejects prints it can't classify. Taking two full sets at the same appointment saves weeks if one is rejected.
Related: How to get an FBI background check · FD-258 fingerprint cards · FBI background check apostille
Ready to start?
Order online in minutes, or call and we will walk you through it. Federal documents from anywhere in the U.S. — one flat price, all government fees included.