Five species of forage legumes, Glycine (Glycine wightii), Siratro (Macroptilium atropurpureum), Centro (Centrosema pubescens), Calopo (Calopogonio mucunoides), and Tropical Kudzu (Pueraria pbaseoloides), were studied as to the germination of the seeds considering the need of scarification, just after harvesting and during the storage period. Four scarification methods were evaluated, i.e., by concentrated sulfuric acid, heat, scratching between sandpapers, and hot water. Relation between seed coat coloration and occurrence of hard seeds was also studied. When non scarified, the five species presented high percentages of hard seeds and, with the exception of Centro, aging during normal storage conditions did not enhance the germination of the seeds. The germination was increased by all scarification methods, the sulfuric acid being very efficient, for all species. The heat treatment was better for Tropical Kudzu and scratching between sandpapers was just moderate for all species. Hot water treatment provided good germination percentages for Siratro and Calopo, but caused occurrence of high percentages of dead seeds at the final of the storage period. In long storage periods it is preferable, in any case, to make the scarification just before planting, because íhe occurrence of dead seed will be lower. Finally, it was observed that the difference of coloration in the seed lots did not influence the occurrence of hard seeds but was related to the existence of dead seeds.