Portuguese citizenship by marriage: the 2026 rules
Portuguese citizenship by marriage is, legally, the acquisition of citizenship by someone married for at least three years to a Portuguese citizen (source). A partner in a de facto union of more than three years can also apply, after a court recognizes the union (source).
Who can apply and what changed in 2026
The process checks for an effective tie to the Portuguese community, unless the couple has Portuguese children together or has been married for more than six years (source).
Since Organic Law no. 1/2026, acquisition by marriage or de facto union requires that none of the situations in article 6(1)(f) to (h) applies: serious convictions, a threat to security, and UN or EU restrictive measures (source).
The documents, according to Newark
- The form with the signature recognized at the consulate or by a U.S. notary with an apostille
- An apostilled long-form birth certificate
- A certified copy of the passport
- The FBI Identity History Summary, apostilled
- The Portuguese spouse’s birth certificate with the marriage annotated
The list comes from Newark’s page on citizenship by marriage (source); the same page asks for proof of ties to the community, such as language or membership in associations.
The marriage must first be on the Portuguese record: that is the transcription, done at the consulate for €120 ($134.58 in Newark’s November 2026 table) (source). See marriage, birth and death registration.
| Step | Where | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Marriage transcription | Consular office | €120 |
| Signature recognition | Consular office or notary with apostille | €20 at the office |
| Citizenship application | Central Registry, Lisbon | €250 |
How each office books appointments
| Office | How to book |
|---|---|
| Washington | MNE booking platform; next month’s slots released by the 10th (source) |
| Palm Coast | The office’s own online platform (source) |
| Boston | Online booking; also takes walk-ins (source) |
| Newark | Walk-in Monday to Wednesday (up to 50 acts); Thursday by appointment (source) |
| New York | Appointment only; slots open in the last week of the month (source) |
| San Francisco | Appointment only; two months open (source) |
| New Bedford | Walk-in, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., except Wednesdays (source) |
| Providence | Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (source) |
How each office takes payment
| Office | Accepted payment |
|---|---|
| Boston | Card (2.63% + $0.10 surcharge), cash or money order (source) |
| Newark | Cash or money order only (source) |
| New Bedford | Cash or money order (source) |
| Providence | Cash only (source) |
| San Francisco | The exchange rate changes every month; at outreach visits, 20% more (source) |
Fees are charged in dollars at the month’s exchange rate: New York’s November 2026 table, for example, puts the Citizen Card for people over 25 at $25.80 (source).
Without the marriage transcribed in Portugal there is no citizenship-by-marriage application.Questions people ask
The real questions people search about this procedure, with the short answer:
Can I get Portuguese citizenship by marriage?
Yes, after three years of marriage to a Portuguese citizen and with the marriage registered in Portugal (source).
What is a marriage transcription?
It is the Portuguese registration of a marriage celebrated in the U.S.; the consulate handles it (source).