Portugal's approach to certified translations is distinctive among European countries. Unlike Germany or France, which maintain formal registers of court-appointed sworn translators, Portugal relies on a notarial certification model established under Decreto-Lei no. 237/2001 of 30 August. Under this framework, a certified translation (traducao certificada) requires a formal declaration drawn up by a notary (notario), lawyer (advogado), or solicitor (solicitador) that identifies the translator and records their oath or solemn affirmation that the translation is accurate and faithful to the original document.
The certification process involves binding three elements together: the declaration identifying the translator, the original document (or a certified copy), and the translated document. The notary or lawyer stamps and signs each page, creating an officially authenticated package. This bundle has legal force before Portuguese courts, the Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado (IRN), AIMA, and all Portuguese administrative bodies. The certifying professional does not need to verify the translation's quality — they attest to the translator's identity and the translator's sworn declaration of accuracy.
For international use outside Portugal, the certified translation itself often suffices at authorities in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia without notarial certification. These countries accept a translator's certification statement as sufficient proof of accuracy. DoVisa provides this internationally recognized certification as standard with every translation. When Portuguese notarial certification is specifically required — for submission to Portuguese domestic authorities or for apostille purposes — DoVisa coordinates with authorized Portuguese professionals to complete the full Decreto-Lei no. 237/2001 certification process.
