Portugal, Coimbra Passport Registers and Application Files - FamilySearch Historical Records

Title in the Language of the Records
Pasaportes de Coimbra, Portugal.

Record Description
This collection of miscellaneous records covers the period from 1835-1938.

The records included in this collection are those of passport registers and passport application files, which have been kept at the University of Coimbra Archives. The text of the records is in Portuguese. Most of the documents are handwritten in formatted registers, and a few are in narrative style.

Emigration from Portugal dates from the 15th century, the beginning of Portugal's period of overseas exploration. From the middle of the 19th century to the late 1950s, nearly two million Portuguese left Europe to live in Brazil and the United States.

Passports and citizen cards were necessary to keep a record of the population movement both within the country and to overseas countries.

Emigration records are reliable because people had to present some sort of identification when applying for a passport. These records are important to find the residence and destination of ancestors.

For a list of records by dates currently published in this collection, select the Browselink from the collection landing page.

Record Content
Passport records usuallly contain the following information:


 * Name of principal
 * Age and physical description
 * Place of origin
 * Current residence
 * Date passport was issued

How to Use the Record
To search the collection you will need to follow this series of links: ⇒Select the "Browse" link in the initial search page ⇒Select the "Volume number and Years" category which takes you to the images.

Look at the images one by one comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine which one is your ancestor. You may need to compare the information about more than one person to make this determination. Keep in mind:


 * There may be more than one person in the records with the same name.
 * You may not be sure of your own ancestor’s name.
 * Your ancestor may have used different names or variations of their name throughout their life.

In order to find data in this collection, it will be necessary to know at least the name of the ancestor, the place of origin, and an approximate date of departure. These records should be researched if other vital records are not available.

For Help Reading These Records
These records are in Portuguese. For help reading the records, see the following wiki articles:

Portuguese Genealogical Word List

Related Websites

 * University of Coimbra Archives–Collection Guide
 * Migration Information Source
 * Portuguese passport
 * Emigração e população en finais do século XIX

Related Wiki Articles

 * Portugal
 * Portugal Emigration and Immigration
 * Portugal Websites

Citing FamilySearch Historical Records Collections
Citations for individual image records are available for this collection. Browse through images in this collection and click on the "Show Citation" box: Portugal, Coimbra, Passport Registers and Application Files, 1835-1938

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Citation for This Collection
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Suggested citation format for a record in this collection.