My wife and I are approaching the date at which we can apply for citizenship in Portugal, and our attorneys have furnished a list of required documents for our applications. One of the required documents is a criminal history report for any country that we have lived in for more than 90 days (aged 16 or older). Both of us spent time in Australia, myself for a study abroad, and my wife on a working holiday in her 20s. Does anyone have experience requesting such a report and can point me to a service that can help obtain it along with the required apostille? We have this down to a science now here at home (US), but haven’t had to do it elsewhere up to this point. Thanks in advance!
Could you check this requirement again? As per my understanding it is 1 year residency in a 3rd country. A working holiday visa isnt technicaly a residence permit, just an extended holiday which allows someone to work to support themselves. I might be wrong but you need to get an attorney who specialzes in Nationality law.
@TommyReine is right. It’s one year not 90 days.
But presuming you still need one for Australia, I’ve done this recently, and it’s easier than the US.
First step apply for your Australian federal police check online here:
No need for fingerprints. You can opt to be sent a digital report pdf by email.
For the apostille, email the report to a private service like:
I also believe you might be able to get an apostille via some Australian embassies, but I haven’t looked into that.
That’s it. No need to go to Australia.
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I have gotten the apostille via the Australian embassy in the US a couple years ago. It was very easy (iirc I contacted them and they just asked me to forward the electronic statement from AFP but looking at their website that policy may have changed. ). Can also do it at the Australian embassy in Portugal. Contact them via their website and ask specifically about this, they say they need an in person appointment but I was able to do it without that
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My understanding is that every embassy/consulate can apostille a GOVERNMENT document directly. I have got my marriage certificate apostilled in October 2025 at a consulate.
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Possibly, but worth noting that DFAT page also says: “Some embassies and consulates can only provide limited services. Ask what notarial services they can provide”
And elsewhere: “If your nearest embassy or consulate can’t legalise your documents, you can post them for processing in Australia”
So probably best to contact them first. From memory there can be a few idiosyncrasies like some consulates ask you to mail certain documents in, but others require an in-person appointment. And some very small consulates might not have the staff for it.
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Agree with you completely.
Wasn’t aware of the other things you mentioned stated on DFAT pages.