Brazil is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention (in force since 14 August 2016). A U.S. public document bound for Brazil needs a single apostille from the competent authority of the state that issued or notarized it, or from the U.S. Department of State for federal documents. No embassy or consular legalization is required, and Brazil's authorities cannot demand one.
Acceded 2015-12-02; in force 2016-08-14 (HCCH).
The route, step by step
- Identify the issuing office
State or local signature → that state’s competent authority. Federal signature → U.S. Department of State. How to tell.
- Prepare the right version
Certified copies for vital and court records; complete notarization for private documents. Preparation checklist.
- Request the apostille
Name Brazil as the destination on the request form so the office issues an apostille (not an authentication certificate).
- Translate if required
Sworn translation (tradução juramentada) by a tradutor público registered with a Brazilian Junta Comercial; translation normally made after the apostille and covers the apostille too. US 'certified' translations are not presumed acceptable.
Using U.S. documents in Brazil
Brazil joined the Convention in 2016 and runs one of the most thorough apostille systems in the world: Brazilian apostilles are issued by cartórios and recorded in a national electronic register. For U.S. documents, the receiving cartório or consulate expects an apostille from the U.S. state or federal authority, followed by a sworn translation (tradução juramentada) made in Brazil by a tradutor público registered with a state commercial board; translations made abroad are not accepted.
Common uses: marriage (apostilled birth certificate and single-status declaration, registered at the cartório de registro civil), CRNM residency and family reunification (apostilled marriage or birth certificates; FBI check for some categories), recognition of a foreign divorce (homologação at the Superior Tribunal de Justiça using the apostilled judgment), university revalidation and company registration (apostilled articles, good standing and POA to the Brazilian representative, registered with the Junta Comercial). Brazilian federal police require apostilled travel authorizations for minors who are Brazilian nationals leaving Brazil with one parent.
Why U.S. documents are sent to Brazil
- Brazilian citizenship/registration of US-born children
- marriage or stable union in Brazil
- residency (family-based, retiree)
- power of attorney for property/inheritance
- corporate registration
Brazil-specific points
- Consular legalization at Brazilian consulates ended when the Convention took effect in 2016.
- Apostilled notarial documents used for probate deeds still require RTD registration under Art. 129 (CNJ guidance cited by Oliveira Lawyers).
- Federal documents (FBI, USCIS) follow the federal apostille route via US Dept of State.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an apostille or legalization for Brazil?
An apostille. Brazil is a Hague Convention member, so no embassy legalization is needed.
Who issues the apostille for Brazil?
The U.S. state that issued or notarized the document, or the U.S. Department of State for federal documents — never a U.S. embassy, and never Brazil’s embassy.
Does Brazil require a translation?
Sworn translation (tradução juramentada) by a tradutor público registered with a Brazilian Junta Comercial; translation normally made after the apostille and covers the apostille too. US 'certified' translations are not presumed acceptable.
