The process of obtaining Portuguese nationality can be complex and prone to errors if not approached with care and attention. Errors or omissions can delay the completion of the process, result in additional costs for the applicants, and even lead to the rejection of the application.
Below, we explore some of the most common mistakes made during the submission process for Portuguese nationality:
1. Incomplete or incorrect documentation: Many applicants fail to gather all necessary documents or submit documents that do not meet the specified requirements, such as lack of legalization/apostille or inadequate translation.
2. Errors in application or forms: Incorrectly filling out application forms, omitting information, or making errors in personal data.
3. Submission of outdated documents: It is common for applicants to submit documents that are outdated, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, and criminal record certificates that need to be within the deadlines required by the Portuguese authorities.
4. Not respecting deadlines: Delaying the submission of necessary documents requested by the Conservatories within the stipulated deadlines.
5. Not presenting sufficient evidence: It is common for applicants not to provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate their right to Portuguese nationality, for example, the lack of sufficient evidence of a genuine connection with the Portuguese community, which is essential in certain cases of naturalization, or the absence of proof of filiation, in requests for children or grandchildren of Portuguese.
6. Lack of awareness of current laws and requirements: Basing the application on outdated information due to changes in nationality laws that were not observed by the applicant or submitting the request without compliance with specific case requirements. In many cases, the transcription of marriage, recognition of de facto union, or other proofs may be necessary requirements before submitting the application.
Avoiding these common errors can significantly increase your chances of success in the process of Portuguese nationality.
The key to a successful application is careful preparation, attention to detail, and, when necessary, the support of professionals experienced in immigration and nationality.
Nationality Department
Ana Santos Fontes | Maria Moura Fonseca | Ana Luíza Fronczak
