Decree-Law no. 126/2021 of 30 December came into force on April 4th, 2022 and establishes the temporary legal regime applicable to the performance, through videoconference, of authentic documents, terms of authentication of private documents and recognitions.

The public health emergency determined by the COVID-19 pandemic boosted the use of distance communication media, in its most diverse sectors, whether public or private, for professional, academic or recreational purposes, having been developed and made available throughout this period new electronic public services.

Every day we are overwhelmed with legislative changes, adaptations to the epidemiological situation, which, with its ups and downs, is still part of our daily lives.

The constant adoption of measures that can help to minimize social interactions, while at the same time corresponding to the growing demand for online services, has led to the creation of conditions that allow the practice of authentic acts at a distance, terms of authentication of private documents and recognition that require the presence of the interested parties in the act before the professional who draws them.

And what are these acts we are talking about?

1. We are talking about divorces (separation process or divorce by mutual consent);
2. Deeds (special procedure for the transfer, encumbrance and immediate registration of buildings in a single face-to-face service created by Decree-Law no. 263 -A/2007 of July 23rd);
3. Qualifications of heirs (with or without registrations, provided for in article 210-G of the Civil Registry Code approved by Decree-Law no. 131/95 of June 6th);

The use of the new remote service depends on prior scheduling by the professional.

Once the date has been defined, it is up to the Registrars, Registry Officers, Lawyers, Solicitors or Consular Agents involved to schedule the act on the computer platform.

Note that:

The performance of acts by videoconference under this decree-law is optional and does not affect the other regimes and procedures applicable to the acts referred to herein.

For the time being, this diploma is expected to be valid for two years, after which it should be subject to evaluation by the Government, with consideration of its level of implementation and respective financial sustainability, with a view to its eventual definitive consolidation in the order legal.

Any doubt or question, always consult a Lawyer!