A Complete Guide on Brazil Apostille Services
Navigating through the process of legalizing documents for international use can be daunting, especially when it comes to Brazil. Brazil is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, which means that documents issued by Brazilian authorities need to be apostilled for use in countries that are also members of the Convention. In this blog post, we will provide you with a complete guide on apostille services in Brazil, including who can apostille a document, what documents can be apostilled, and how to obtain an apostille in Brazil.
Who can apostille a document in Brazil?
In Brazil, apostilles can only be issued by the Federal Court of Appeals, headquartered in Brasília, or the branch offices located in each of Brazil's 26 states. Unfortunately, apostilles cannot be issued by Notary Publics or Legal Secretaries, which means that if you're looking to get a document apostilled, you'll have to go through the established procedure.
What documents can be apostilled in Brazil?
In Brazil, the following types of documents can be apostilled:
Public documents issued by Brazilian authorities, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, academic diplomas, and criminal record certificates.
Private documents signed before a Notary Public, such as powers of attorney, contracts, and other legal instruments.
It's worth noting that not all documents in Brazil are subject to apostille, and some documents may require further legalization, such as the Brazilian Consulate's seal.
How to obtain an apostille in Brazil?
To obtain an apostille in Brazil, you'll have to follow these steps:
Obtain the original document or a certified copy from the issuing authority.
Get the document translated into the language of the country where the document will be used, if necessary.
Present the document to the Federal Court of Appeals or its branch offices, along with the appropriate fee and identification documents.
The apostille will be issued on the same day or within a few days, depending on the region. It's important to note that the apostille can only be obtained for documents that have been issued within the last year.
How long does an apostille remain valid in Brazil?
The validity of an apostilled document in Brazil is determined by the country where the document will be used. In general, apostilles remain valid for as long as the underlying document remains valid.
Obtaining an apostille for use in Brazil may seem like a complex process, but once you understand the steps involved, it's actually a straightforward procedure. By following the guidelines we've provided, you should be able to obtain a Brazil apostille for your documents in no time. Remember that apostilles can only be issued for documents issued by Brazilian authorities and that only the Federal Court of Appeals or its branch offices can apostille a document. Good luck with your apostille application!
