Permanent Commercial Certidão (Certidão Permanente Comercial): How to Request and Check It
This document is what banks, notaries, public bodies, and business partners request to confirm that a company legally exists and to see who represents it. It's called "permanent" because, unlike a paper certidão, access stays linked to the registry in real time during the validity period — it's not a snapshot frozen in time.
How to Request or Check It
Online — Conservatória Virtual
- Go to conservatoria.justica.gov.pt
- Log in with your Cartão de Cidadão (Portuguese ID card), Chave Móvel Digital (Digital Mobile Key), or register an account
- Choose "Company" → "Permanent Commercial Certidão"
- Select "request new certidão" or "check with access code"
- Pay online — generally cheaper than in person
- Save the access code you receive: it's what lets others check the certidão
In Person
- Go to a Conservatória do Registo Comercial (Commercial Registry Office) or Loja de Cidadão (Citizen's Shop)
- Bring your Cartão de Cidadão and the company's NIPC (tax/registration number)
- Ask for the "certidão permanente comercial" at the counter
- Pay on-site and receive the receipt with the access code
What Is the Access Code
It's the code generated when you make the request that gives access to the certidão online, during the validity period shown on the receipt. Whoever receives it (for example, a bank) enters the code on the Conservatória Virtual and sees the up-to-date registry — without needing to request a new certidão. You don't need to share your account login details, just the code.
Official service and explanation: justica.gov.pt — Registries / Commercial / Documents
Request and check: conservatoria.justica.gov.pt
Phone support: Linha Justiça — 800 910 220 (weekdays, 9am–6pm)
Frequently Asked Questions
It's the official document that shows a company's up-to-date commercial registry: name, registered office, share capital, shareholders/management, and registered acts at the Commercial Registry Office.
The cost and timeframe are shown when you make the request on the Conservatória Virtual and are usually lower online than in person. For current prices, check the official portal or call Linha Justiça (800 910 220, weekdays, 9am–6pm).
Yes, as long as you have the access code provided by that company. Without the code, it isn't possible to check a third party's commercial registry.
The permanent certidão is the way to check/prove the commercial registry online. The commercial registry is the set of information the certidão shows.