20 years helping foreigners achieve their dream of immigrating.

In many countries — including Portugal — a divorce judgment issued abroad becomes legally valid only after it has been formally recognized or reviewed by a court in the country. For example: A couple marries abroad and later divorces in Portugal. Without formal recognition of the divorce, they are still considered legally married in their country of origin. As a result, they may not be able to change their name or remarry. Such cases are often complex and are part of the daily work of the LEGAL VJK team, which reliably supports clients in the recognition and enforcement of foreign divorce judgments.

What does the legalization of documents mean?

Legalization is a formal consular act that certifies the authenticity of the signature and the official capacity of the officer or notary who issued or certified the document. Only through this process does the document gain legal validity in another country.

Types of Legalization

For countries that are party to the 1961 Hague Convention (e.g., Portugal and Brazil), legalization is replaced by an apostille.
This apostille is issued by a designated domestic authority
(in Brazil: certain notary offices/courts; in Portugal: the Public Prosecutor’s Office or a court).

For countries not part of the Hague Convention, consular legalization is still required. In this case, the signature of the notary or official is verified and authenticated by the appropriate consulate.

Example:
If a document issued in Brazil is to be used in Portugal, an apostille is typically required under the Hague Convention.
Portuguese authorities will only recognize the document as valid once this apostille is affixed. Classical consular legalization is now only required in exceptional cases (e.g., for countries that are not part of the Hague Convention).

We provide consultation and support in procedures for obtaining Portuguese, German, or Austrian citizenship — whether through descent, birth, marriage, or naturalization.

If you are the child, grandchild, great-grandchild, or descendant of a citizen of one of these countries, you may, in many cases, be entitled to citizenship.
What matters is your ability to provide the necessary documentation to prove your claim.

Our LEGAL VJK team supports you by:

Reviewing your individual legal eligibility
Procuring, apostilling, or legalizing all necessary documents
Submitting and providing legal support throughout the entire process
We help you step by step — without unnecessary hurdles — to obtain your citizenship smoothly and securely.

Decree-Law No. 76-A/2006 of March 29 granted Portuguese lawyers specific competencies in performing notarial functions. As a result, the law firm is authorized to carry out the following notarial acts:

GENERAL NOTARIAL ACTS

• Certification of simple signatures, with or without specific remarks — particularly the personal acknowledgment of handwriting and signature.
• Certification of document copies in accordance with the originals.
• Certification of translations.

SPECIFIC NOTARIAL ACTS

• In commercial companies: Formation, transformation, merger, division, and dissolution of all types of companies.
• In associations and foundations: Formation, amendment of statutes, and all acts and contracts necessary for the operation of these legal entities.

Our team of experienced professionals, with specialized knowledge in public administration and immigration law, has one goal: To simplify the bureaucratic process for migrants and returnees and to make their integration as smooth as possible. With expertise, experience, and personalized guidance, we support you in all legal and administrative matters related to your immigration.

Trabalhamos com dedicação para oferecer um acompanhamento completo e personalizado, ajudando cada pessoa a integrar-se com segurança, tranquilidade e dignidade no seu novo contexto.

We support you in all legal and administrative matters related to inheritance, estate distribution, and asset management — both nationally and internationally.

Our Focus Areas:

Estate Planning
Preparation, amendment, and revocation of wills, Regulation of gifts and usufruct rights, Choice of applicable inheritance law.

Probate Procedures
Recognition and qualification of heirs, Execution of wills, Judicial and out-of-court distribution procedures, Cross-border inheritances.

Asset Management
Advice on the distribution of real estate and financial assets, Management of inheritance and its income.

Practical Support
Organization of funerals and burials, Handling all formalities with banks, authorities, and insurance companies, Sale or liquidation of real estate and movable property.
With our expertise, we ensure that your assets are distributed in a legally secure manner — providing clarity, security, and peace of mind for your heirs.