Brazilian documents from abroad

Almost every matter in Brazil starts with a document: the power of attorney for the lawyer, a certificate the court asks for, a CPF (the Brazilian tax number). Most of it can be done without travelling.

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What you usually need

A power of attorney: signed before a notary in your country with the apostille, at a Brazilian consulate, or electronically when the act allows it.
A sworn translation into Portuguese of foreign documents used in Brazil.
A CPF, which foreigners can obtain from the Federal Revenue, also through Brazilian consulates.

The rules behind it

Brazil applies the Hague Apostille Convention since 2016 (Decree 8.660/2016): an apostilled document needs no consular legalisation.
Foreign-language documents used in Brazilian courts and registries need a translation by a sworn public translator (Law 14.195/2021).
Electronic signatures are regulated by Law 14.063/2020; the lawyer tells you which acts accept them.

Timelines depend on notaries, consulates and Brazilian offices.

Questions

Can a lawyer in Brazil get a criminal record certificate for me?

The Federal Police certificate is issued online; state certificates depend on each court. A lawyer can request them and check any wrong entry.

Do I need to come to Brazil to sign?

Usually not. The lawyer tells you the simplest valid way for your case.

Other situations

Felipe Smargiassi, criminal defense lawyer, OAB/MG 155.242

OAB/MG 155.242, admitted in 2014
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Postgraduate studies in Criminal Procedure (Faculdade Legale)
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Guaxupé (MG), practice throughout Brazil

Write to us

Tell us briefly about your case. A lawyer from the firm replies by email, usually within one business day.

Name Phone / WhatsApp (optional, with country code)

Email City and country

Country where you are Tell us briefly what is happening I authorise the firm to contact me and to process these data for that purpose, under the privacy policy. I would like to receive, now and then, a year-end message or a useful notice from the firm (no advertising; you can leave at any time).

How to hire from abroad

You describe the case in writing, by WhatsApp or e-mail, in English.
The fee is agreed in a written contract before any work begins.
The contract and the power of attorney are signed online, and payment can be made from abroad.

How to check a lawyer in Brazil

Look up the OAB registration in the National Registry of Lawyers (cna.oab.org.br).
Ask for the fee in writing, in a contract.
Pay only into the account named in the contract, never to a third party.

OAB/MG 155.242, cna.oab.org.br · How to check a lawyer in Brazil · Google ★

When a person answers

The office answers in person Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm in Brasília, which is 08:00 - 18:00 (UTC-3) where you are.

WhatsApp receives messages at any time.

Page reviewed in October 2026.