Apostille for Portugal
Portugal accepts apostilles from the United States. Visa applicants and companies setting up in Portugal most often need a federal or Maryland apostille.
Who usually needs an apostille
Visa applicants on D7 and D8 routes are typically asked for an apostilled FBI background check. U.S. companies registering in Portugal need papers such as a Certificate of Good Standing, bylaws and powers of attorney.
Translation into Portuguese
Documents in English will often need a Portuguese translation, and the translation should include the apostille page. Rules on who can certify a translation differ by office, so ask whether a certified translation from the U.S. will be accepted or a translation certified in Portugal is required.
Consulates, VFS and AIMA
In the U.S., many visa applications go through VFS Global on behalf of Portuguese consulates. After arrival, residency moves to AIMA. Each stage can apply its own document-age rule, and an FBI report that was fresh at the visa stage may be too old later on. About 90 days is a common limit, though some consulates allow up to six months.
Paper or PDF
Requirements at VFS and consulates are specific and can change. Expect the appointment stage to require original papers unless you have been told otherwise. A PDF is useful for early review and translation.