Marriage in Brazil for Foreigners
Can foreigners marry Brazilians in Brazil?
Any foreign citizen with a valid visa in Brazil can realize a civil marriage with a Brazilian citizen, with no need for residence or any other permanent relationship, and it is possible to request, after the marriage, authorization to reside in Brazil for the foreign spouse.
The wedding details such as marriage costs and fees at the registry office, choice of property regime and name change rule are the same as in conventional civil marriage between two Brazilians. In the case of a foreign spouse, what changes is the required documentation.
Passport and visa
To made the wedding, foreigners must present their original passport with the entry stamp in Brazil at the civil registry office.
The visa, regardless of whether it is a tourist visa, must be valid throughout the entire wedding process, from entry to the day of the ceremony.
Tourist or business visas are valid for 90 days, extendable for another 90 days. If the foreigner’s country does not offer the extension of the visa to Brazilians, due to the diplomatic principle of reciprocity (Schengen treaty), Brazil will also not offer the extension to the foreigner from that country in Brazil.
Necessary documents
Single foreigners
- Original legalized birth certificate (with Hague apostille) translated by a sworn translator in Brazil and registered at the Registry of Deeds and Documents.
- Original passport with the entry stamp in Brazil (if the groom comes to Brazil to enter the marriage)
Divorced foreigners
- Original legalized divorce certificate with Hague apostille translated by a sworn translator in Brazil and registered at the Registry of Deeds and Documents
- Original legalized marriage certificate with Hague apostille translated by a sworn translator in Brazil and registered at the Registry of Deeds and Documents
- Original passport
with the entry stamp in Brazil (if the groom comes to Brazil to enter the marriage)
Widowed foreigners
- Original legalized death certificate with Hague apostille translated by a sworn translator in Brazil and registered at the Registry of Deeds and Documents
- Original legal marriage certificate with Hague apostille translated by a sworn translator in Brazil and registered at the Registry of Deeds and Documents
- Original passport
with the entry stamp in Brazil (if the groom comes to Brazil to enter the marriage)
Legalization of foreign documents
Due to Brazil’s adherence to the Hague Convention, foreign public documents will no longer be legalized by the Brazilian Consulate in the country of origin and will be legalized in agencies authorized for foreigners.
Check if the country is a member of the Hague Convention and the step-by-step instructions for the legalization of documents here.
Documents for civil marriage of a foreigner in Brazil
In addition to conventional documents, such as a birth certificate, identity card and proof of residence, the following documentation is required to enter a civil marriage where one of the couple is a foreigner:
Provide a Consular Certificate (draw from the Consulate of the country of origin); or an original Birth Certificate, stamped by the Brazilian Embassy, translated by a sworn translator and registered in the Registry of Deeds and Documents; or bring a certified copy of the National Registry of Foreigners (RNE) or Passport.
Accompanied by a document proving the marital status and indicating that the betrothed is free to enter into marriage.
When one of the couple is a foreigner and divorced, the documents requested are:
Original passport;
Original marriage certificate with divorce registration, which must be translated in Brazil by a sworn translator and then registered at the Registry of Deeds and Documents.
Do you have any questions or do you need an expert immigration lawyer to assist you with your process? Contact us!