Hello!
My husband is Portuguese and we are looking for an attorney in the Porto area that could assist with registering our marriage over there. We’re both living in the U.S., but we are hoping that I can get my citizenship sometime in the near future. Any suggestions?
Hello, Marisa!
I found this website from a law firm in Lisbon, and they say they have contacts in other locations. I don’t know anything about them, but they might be able to help.
Good luck!
I am also in the process of getting my citizenship by marriage to a Portuguese citizen and am in the last phase of the process, Step 7: Terminado. 
Obrigada, David! We found a family law attorney in Porto (where my husband is from) so we’re just now starting the process. How long was the process for you? Any suggestions or tips?
Hi, Marisa!
I am going to say it will be about 2 years in October, but we have not used a lawyer. And, probably, the onset of the COVID issue surely delayed a lot of things. We were told by the Lisbon office that the process takes, usually, 1 1/2 to 2 years. It will probably be faster for you with the lawyer. My only suggestion is to be patient! I am telling myself this every day, as I wait for a letter or something to be sent to me, informing me that I am now a citizen of Portugal! Talk about butterflies in the stomach!! 
Muitos parabéns, @David2019! E que coincidência receberes a aprovação poucos dias depois de comentares que continuavas a aguardar ansiosamente 
That’s awesome! Parabéns!!
Muito obrigado, @Joseph e @miwynn! Hoje é um dia feliz–e agora eu devo
estudar português muito mais intensamente!
It just occurred to me that some members might be curious about the steps and time frame involved in applying for Portuguese citizenship. I noticed that the applicable website in Portugal recently tried to clarify this with new text, so I thought I’d post it here, in case it is helpful.
Hi Marisa. My husband and I are looking to do the exact same thing and in Porto too! My mother in law is Portuguese, but has dual citizenship in the US and in Portugal. We are working with a firm in Lisbon; were you able to find one in Porto? Would you recommend them? We started with one firm in Lisbon, but they were not very responsive. The firm we’ve been working with has been much better. We haven’t sent in the money yet, so please let me know if you liked the firm you worked with. Thank you so much!
@David2019 thank you for your helpful information as well!
Just an update on my progress with this issue: It has been 3 1/2 years since I initiated my application for citizenship by marriage, and only last week did I finally receive a letter confirming that my application has been approved! What a long haul it has been–I wonder if the appearance of COVID contributed to the delay. Now I am dealing with getting my cartão de citadão and other ID cards–hopefully not another delay of a few years! 
That’s very good news, @David2019 
Congrats (finally)!
Anyone have any anecdotal stories to share on how long it has taken them?
For me, recognized as submitted on 10/30/24. Still on stage one, 5.5 months later
Very helpful information. Thanks to everybody. I prepared my documentation with my husband (he is Portuguese and I am Canadian) with the help of the Portuguese Consulate in Vancouver. Sent my paperwork in November 2024 and have proof of delivery from the courier. I am a bit worried that I have never even received an email from AIMA acknowledging receipt of my paperwork. Is this normal? I am concerned also because we are moving to Portugal in July and the address on my paperwork is my current Canadian address. I wonder how I can update that if I don’t even have a file number to refer to. Trying to email or phone AIMA is impossible. Any thoughts?
Hi. I know this reply is late, but I don’t visit this portion of the app often. I am a Los Angeles California native and now a Portuguese citizen by marriage. It took sooooo long, like 6 years and completed in 2020. I think because we applied from Los Angeles on line and were only able to check in person when we visited Lisbon 1 time a year to see my husband’s family. We would go into the county office to check each time waiting as long as 6 hours. Checking online and responding to the formal language emails from the Portuguese citizenship office was confusing. I would advise defiantly using a Lawyer if possible. They use such formal confusing language, even my husband was confused. Now since 2021 we go a few times a year and now that the kids are in college off on their own, we are planning to retire in the Lisbon area. I will visit a local spot near Porto called, Sao Pedro do Sul, a local vacation spot for therapeutic Roman mineral water is used in reasonably priced spa treatments. I go with my 92 year old mother in law for 3 weeks for a get away from crazy Los Angeles. I’m still not fluent in the language, but a new tool for me to practice the language besides this amazing App…
I bought a VPN (my husban is a software guy) and can now finally watch RTP, Netflix and local programming with English subtitles and the reverse. I watch the dramas because they speak slowly.
Thanks so much for your response. It looks like I may have a long wait ahead. Also, thanks for the telling me about the VPN. That will be very helpful.
