Portuguese Nationality for Goans

Who can receive it?

The Portugal Citizenship can be given to those who were born before 1961 in the anciente Portuguese State of India, in accordance to Portuguese Nationality Law 37/81 and the relevant revisions of that law and all additional legislation on the subject.

Which law rules this possibility?

The information presented here is a summary of the basic rules determining who is entitled to be attributed the Portuguese Nationality Law 37/81.

Are the descendants also elegible?

Citizens born in the former Portuguese territories of Goa, Daman, Diu, Dadra, Nagar Haveli are Portuguese citizens, including their descendants (children, grandchildren, etc.). can apply for Portuguese citizenship if they meet any of the following requirements:

What are the requirements to obtain the Citizenship?

1. To have born in the former Portuguese territories of Goa, Daman, Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli during the portuguese sovereignty, ie, until 19 December 1961;
2. To be descendant to parents or grandfathers that were born in the territories listed above during the period of Portuguese
3. Must prove their residence in the period 1974 / 1975.
4. The rights of all who are born in the former Portuguese territories during the period of Portuguese sovereignty are guaranteed by the records of his birth in Portugal.
5. The record of this registries and other relevant facts are essential to accompany the application for Portuguese citizenship – the old documents.
6. The record of this and other relevant facts are essential to accompany the application for Portuguese citizenship.

Who can apply to the Citizenship or start the application with the government?

Anyone can apply for registration of Portuguese citizenship on the basis of their birth during the period of Portuguese sovereignty, even after his death (their descendants up to their third generation).
In life, the applicant may submit the application in person. Otherwise, their descendants are entitled to submit the application on their behalf.

How to check the Passport application status?

After applying for Portuguese Passport the next step which comes is How to check Portuguese Passport Application Status. Portuguese Passport Application Status can be traced Online easily with few clicks of any regions such as Bombay, Daman, Diu, and Goa from Official Consulado Portugal Goa Website. To check Portuguese Passport Application Status visit http://www.consuladoportugalgoa.com On left sidebar you will find a link “Application Status” Click on “Application Status”, on clicking the Application Status it will pop out a small window which will give you options like Just enter your Process Number and click on search it will show your current status. In case you need a faster service you can take the citizen card and passport in just a few days directly in Portugal.

What is the costs for this process?

The submission of the original case (the one before 1961) is free. Then if you’re a descendant the government will charge you to register the marriages / births until the time to register your birth, 175 euros in case of a birth and 120 euros in case of a marriage.

How is the process worked?

Notarization and apostille: Get the main documents apostilled in order they will be recognized as valid on behalf of the portuguese authorities.
Deliver the application to the Central Registry: You may choose a lawyer to represent you or to submitt directly. The advantages to use a lawyer is to make sure the aplication is formerly correclty submitted and the case can be followed-up more promptly.
Gather the needed documents: The most relevant documents are the “old documents from portuguese administration”, “Marriage certificate from parents”, “Birth Record from parents” , own documents

The applications since submitted are analysed by the competent sector on portuguese government. It can happen that you’re requested to add more documents to the process or explain one or other detail. After the citizenship is issued the output is a birth certificate. Using this birth certificate you can apply for the Passport and the citizen card.
There is a number of cases submitted to the Portuguese Government which are stopped due to poor communication with authorities and bad follow-up between applicant and government. This applications can be tracked and we can know the application status.

Follow-up of a previously submitted case

If you have a case previously submitted and you need to know the status of a Portuguese Citizenship case we may follow-up. We will need your case number or case receipt. In case you received help of a professional the details will also be needed.