New measures for electronic declarations of births in Portugal
Order no. 61/2024, of February 20
The Decree-Law No. 126/2023, of December 26, approved for parents to electronically declare births that took place less than a year ago (i) in Portuguese territory, in a public or private health unit, or (ii) abroad, concerning the child of a Portuguese parent.
This new measure has proved to be very useful and convenient both for citizens living in Portugal and for the Portuguese community living abroad, who no longer have to go to a registry office or consular service to declare the birth of their children.
Order No. 61/2024, of February 20, now regulates the electronic declaration of births in Portugal and abroad.
Declaration of a birth in Portugal
The declaration of birth that took place less than a year ago, in Portuguese territory, in a public or private health unit, can be made electronically, on the digital justice platform, available at https://justica.gov.pt.
How?
One of the parents authenticates in the platform with a citizen's card or Digital Mobile Key
Fill in the form
Submit an electronic copy of the document issued by the health unit proving that the birth took place and indicating the name of the women giving birth
If the parents are not married with each other, the information provided by the declaring parent must be confirmed by the other parent, to whom is sent an electronic message to confirm it, after authentication with citizen’s card or Digital Mobile Key.
Declaration of a birth in other country
The declaration of birth that took place less than a year ago, abroad, concerning the child of a Portuguese parent, can be made electronically, on the digital justice platform, available at https://justica.gov.pt.
How?
One of the parents authenticates in the platform with a citizen's card or Digital Mobile Key
Fill in the form
Submit an electronic copy of the document issued by the health unit proving that the birth took place and indicating the name of the women giving birth
If possible, submit an electronic copy of the local birth registration certificate translated (if it is not in English, French or Spanish)
Confirmation of the information by the nondeclaring parent, to whom is sent an electronic message to confirm it, after authentication with citizen’s card or Digital Mobile Key
This service is available in the following countries: South Africa, Germany, Andorra, Angola, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cape Verde, Chile, Canada, China, Macao, Cyprus, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Denmark, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Estonia, United States of America, Finland, Greece, France, Guinea Bissau, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Mexico, Mozambique, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, Netherlands, Panama, Peru, Poland, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Romania, Saint Thomas and Prince, Serbia, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, Uruguay, Venezuela.
Birth registration
Institute of Registries and Notaries (IRN) is responsible for processing the information received in the electronic declarations and for carrying out the birth registration.
After the birth registration by IRN, an electronic copy of the birth registration is sent to the declaring parent, which is for information purposes only.
The original document of the birth registration is sent by post.
Effectiveness
The new measure is in force since February 17, 2024.
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This Informative Note is intended for general distribution to clients and the information contained herein is provided as a general and abstract overview. The contents of this Informative Note may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without the express consent of the author. If you should require further information on this topic, please contact Joana Ferreira Reis (joanareis@reispintolaw.com) or Sara Castro Pinto (sarapinto@reispintolaw.com).
