🇵🇹Portuguese in Thailand — Home-country Police Certificate
Document: Certificado de Registo Criminal
Portuguese nationals in Thailand applying for a Work Permit, Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa, marriage registration with a Thai partner, or Permanent Residence must submit a Certificado de Registo Criminal — a home-country criminal record issued by Directorate-General of Justice Administration (DGAJ). Portugal is a Hague Apostille member — an Apostille from the central competent authority is required. NYC Legal then delivers MFA-recognised Thai translation and MFA Consular Affairs certification, ready for filing with Thai authorities. Total turnaround: 1-2 weeks + 3-5 business days on the Bangkok side.
Home authority
Directorate-General of Justice Administration (DGAJ)
Legalisation route
Hague Apostille (single stamp)
Turnaround
1-2 weeks
Can a Portuguese national in Thailand certify a home-country PCC without leaving Bangkok?
Yes. NYC Legal coordinates the Certificado de Registo Criminal request from Directorate-General of Justice Administration (DGAJ) (via family, POA, or approved channeler), then handles the home Apostille and delivers MFA-certified Thai translation in Bangkok.
Regional context
Central/Southern/Eastern Europe (Spain, Italy, Portugal, Greece, Poland, Czech) use Certificado de Antecedentes Penales, Certificato del Casellario, or Zaświadczenie o Niekaralności with Apostille — all are Hague members.
Step-by-step process
- Contact NYC Legal — we assess your Thai use case (Work Permit, LTR, Thai marriage) and confirm the exact edition of the Certificado de Registo Criminal required.
- Request the certificate from Directorate-General of Justice Administration (DGAJ) — via family in Portugal, POA through the Royal Thai Embassy overseas, or online Channeler.
- Attach Apostille from the home-country competent authority (2-5 business days).
- Ship the original + Apostille/legalisation to NYC Legal Bangkok (DHL, 2-5 business days).
- We translate to Thai with an MFA-recognised translator (1-2 days).
- Certify the translation at MFA Consular Affairs (Chaeng Watthana): 1-2 business days (express: same-day).
- Deliver to your Thai employer / district office / Immigration Bureau (Chaeng Watthana).
Required documents (from you)
- Portuguese passport bio-data page
- Thai visa page (Non-B, Non-O, LTR, Elite, etc.)
- TM.6 arrival card / TM.30 residence report (if any)
- Proof of residence in home country (recent utility bill, driver's licence)
- Home-country Certificado de Registo Criminal once issued
- Signed Power of Attorney (we provide the template)
Where the certificate is used in Thailand
Work Permit, LTR, Thai marriage
FAQ
Which criminal record document do Portuguese nationals in Thailand need?
The Certificado de Registo Criminal, issued by Directorate-General of Justice Administration (DGAJ) — accepted by Thai Immigration, Ministry of Labour, and District Offices.
Is Apostille required?
Yes — Portugal is a Hague Apostille member. Apostille from the central competent authority is required; no further embassy legalisation. Then ship to NYC Legal for Thai translation + MFA certification.
Total turnaround?
Portugal side: 1-2 weeks. Bangkok side (translation + MFA): 3-5 business days. Total: 15-30 business days (express: 10 days).
Bangkok-side cost?
Thai translation + MFA certification starts at THB 4,500 per certificate. Excludes home-country Apostille/embassy fees. Contact NYC Legal for a bundled quote.
What is it used for in Thailand?
Work Permit, LTR, Thai marriage
Do I need to re-fingerprint in Thailand?
Depends on the country — Most countries do name + date-of-birth + home address checks; a few require fresh fingerprints.
How long is the home PCC valid?
Thai Department of Employment (Work Permit) accepts PCCs issued within 6 months. District Office (marriage) accepts 6 months. PR / citizenship authorities accept 6-12 months.