Since August 14, the general consulates no longer perform consular legalization of foreign documents. On this date, the Convention on the Elimination of the Requirement of Legalization of Foreign Public Documents (“Apostille Convention”) comes into effect. For American documents and those from Bermuda to be valid in Brazil, they must be apostilled by the apostille authorities of the states of New York, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania, or from Bermuda, as applicable.
The General Consulate will continue to recognize the signatures of Brazilian citizens or foreigners holding a National Foreigners Registration (RNE). The General Consulate will also continue to authenticate photocopies of Brazilian documents.
Foreign documents that were legalized by Brazilian embassies or consulates prior to August 14, 2016, will continue to be accepted in Brazil until February 14, 2017, based on Article 20 of CNJ Resolution No. 228, dated 06/22/2016. After that date, documents will only be accepted if they have been apostilled by foreign authorities.
Examples of documents that will no longer be legalized at the Consulate and must be apostilled:
I) Foreign public documents issued by local authorities:
- certificates of civil registration (birth, marriage, and death);
- certificates of notarial acts (public power of attorney, public deed, will);
- court rulings (adoption, divorce, custody regulation, etc.);
- documents from schools and universities.
II) Private documents previously recognized by a notary and “County Clerk”:
- private powers of attorney;
- private declarations;
- forms for travel authorization for minors, except in the case of Brazilians and foreigners holding RNE who come personally to the Consulate to have their signature recognized;
- forms for obtaining a passport for minors, except in the case of Brazilians and foreigners holding RNE who come personally to the Consulate to have their signature recognized;
- forms for proof of life.
In case of doubts, you can consult the General Consulate of Brazil by email: legalizacao.novayork@itamaraty.gov.br.