How to collect a document already issued in Portugal
“Levantar” is the Portuguese verb for collecting a finished document — and the good news is that collection by a third party is routine: a simple signed authorisation, with a copy of the authoriser's ID, solves it at most counters.
Who may collect
The requester, naturally — and, in their place, anyone with a written authorisation + a copy of the authoriser's identification + the bearer's own original ID. For sensitive acts, some offices ask for a power of attorney with a certified signature; the service's website (or a phone call) says which of the two.
The authorisation that works
Four lines solve it — in Portuguese, with:
- Who authorises: full name, document number (citizen card or passport).
- Who collects: full name and the document they will present.
- What to collect: description and the request/receipt number, if any.
- Date and signature matching the attached document.
Hours, tickets and the receipt detail
Portuguese offices serve through continuous hours but with tickets that run out — arriving at opening is the difference between 20 minutes and a whole morning. And bring the original request's receipt/stub: at many counters it is what locates the finished document, not the name.
Before leaving the counter
Check everything: spellings, expected annotations, stamps and signature. If the document is bound abroad, the next step is the apostille at the PGR — same day, if the logistics were well planned. A wrong document caught at the counter is fixed with a new ticket; caught overseas, it costs the entire cycle.
Frequently asked questions
Does the authorisation need notarisation?+
For ordinary collections, as a rule, no — a simple authorisation with an ID copy suffices. Sensitive acts may require a certified signature; confirm with the service before sending someone.
What if no one collects the document?+
Portuguese services keep it for a limited period and then archive it (or void copies). Received the “ready” notice? Treat it as a deadline.
Informative content about request procedures. We do not cover citizenship or visa eligibility. Rules and amounts may change; always confirm before acting.