Apostille from Brazil to Canada

Apostille works

Can a document from Brazil be used in Canada?

Key facts for documents from Brazil used in Canada
ResultApostille applies.
BrazilUses apostilles member since 1
CanadaUses apostilles member since 1
Apostille issued by

National Council of Justice (Conselho Nacional de Justiça, CNJ), with the notarial and registry offices (cartórios) authorised under the judiciary2

Fee in Brazil

Not published by the office (all documents)2

Processing time in BrazilNot published by the office2
Last checked

How to get a document from Brazil ready for Canada

  1. Search the National Council of Justice list for an authorised notarial or registry office in your state and city.2
  2. Give the document, with its apostille or legalisation, to the office in Canada that asked for it.

When the answer changes

  • Private documents.A private document, such as a power of attorney or a contract, is first signed in front of a notary public, and the apostille then goes on the notary’s certificate. A copy of a public document from another country is first certified by a notary public, then apostilled.
  • The other direction. For a document from Canada used in Brazil, the apostille or legalisation starts in Canada. Check Canada to Brazil

Note: What the apostille confirms

An apostille only confirms the signature, the role of the person who signed and any seal or stamp on the document. It does not confirm what the document says. The office that receives the document decides what it accepts.

Questions about documents from Brazil for Canada

Is an apostille from Brazil accepted in Canada?

Yes. An apostille from Brazil is enough for Canada: both are members of the Apostille Convention (Brazil since 14 August 2016, Canada since 11 January 2024). The apostille is issued in Brazil by National Council of Justice, with the notarial and registry offices (cartórios) authorised under the judiciary and 0 other offices. The office in Canada that receives the document decides what else it needs. Last checked 18 October 2026 against the HCCH status table.

Who issues the apostille for a document from Brazil?

National Council of Justice (Conselho Nacional de Justiça, CNJ), with the notarial and registry offices (cartórios) authorised under the judiciary. The apostille is always issued in the country the document comes from, not in Canada.

Do I need to notarise a private document first?

Yes. A private document, such as a power of attorney or a contract, is first signed in front of a notary public in Brazil. The apostille then goes on the notary's certificate.

Does Canada also need a translation?

The office in Canada that receives the document decides. Ask it before you start whether it needs a translation, and whether the translation needs its own certification.

Sources

  1. HCCH status table: Apostille Convention (1961)Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) · HCCH · retrieved
  2. Brazil - Competent Authority (Art. 6)Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) · HCCH · retrieved
  3. Decisão da Corregedoria da Justiça (TJPR)Court of Justice of Paraná (Tribunal de Justiça do Paraná) · Government · retrieved
  4. Notification regarding the electronic Apostille Programme (e-APP), No 3 of 2021Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) · HCCH · retrieved
  5. Authentication of documents: RequirementsGlobal Affairs Canada · Competent authority · retrieved
Status
Last verified: (18 October 2026)
How it was checked
Checked by our team against the sources above
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