Brazil
Apostille in Brazil
At a glance
Who issues apostilles in Brazil, and what does it cost?
| Uses apostilles? | Uses apostilles1 |
|---|---|
| Member since | 1 |
| How it joined | Joined later (accession), 1 |
| Who issues apostilles | National Council of Justice (Conselho Nacional de Justiça, CNJ), with the notarial and registry offices (cartórios) authorised under the judiciary, public documents originating in Brazil; the offices that issue apostilles can be searched by state and city2 |
| Fee | Not published by the office (all documents)2checked 18 October 2026 |
| Processing time | Not published by the office2checked 18 October 2026 |
| Electronic apostille | Available4 |
| Online register to check apostilles | Available2 |
| What the receiving side decides | Whether it accepts the document: for example how recent it must be and whether it needs a translation. |
| Last checked |
Step by step
How to get an apostille in Brazil
Search the National Council of Justice list for an authorised notarial or registry office in your state and city.2
Contacts
Who to contact in Brazil
- Apostille officeNational Council of Justice (Conselho Nacional de Justiça, CNJ), with the notarial and registry offices (cartórios) authorised under the judiciary2Public documents originating in Brazil; the offices that issue apostilles can be searched by state and city
- The office that will receive your documentAsk it before you start what it needs: an apostille, a translation, or a document issued recently.
Common situations
Using a document from or in Brazil
A document issued in Brazil
The apostille comes from Brazil, from the office named above. It works in any other country where the Convention applies with Brazil.
Check where it can be usedA document for use in Brazil
Get the apostille in the country that issued the document, not in Brazil. Brazil accepts it if that country is also a member and the Convention applies between the two.
Check your countryGood to know
Good to know
Note: Rule
The judiciary supervises notarial activity in Brazil, so legal, notarial and registration authorities are the ones competent to issue Brazilian apostilles.2
Note: Rule
A court decision from Paraná says the CNJ rules do not require a public-sign registration or a signature recognition as a condition for placing an apostille.3
Before the apostille
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.
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
Questions about apostilles in Brazil
Does Brazil accept apostilles?
Yes. Brazil has been a member of the Apostille Convention since 14 August 2016, so it issues and accepts apostilles for documents exchanged with other member countries.
Who issues apostilles in Brazil?
National Council of Justice (Conselho Nacional de Justiça, CNJ), with the notarial and registry offices (cartórios) authorised under the judiciary (public documents originating in Brazil; the offices that issue apostilles can be searched by state and city).
How much does an apostille cost in Brazil?
Not published by the office (all documents). Fees can change, so check the office’s own page before you apply.
How long does an apostille take in Brazil?
The office does not publish a processing time (checked 18 October 2026).
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. The apostille is then added to the notary’s certificate, not to the private document itself.
Is an apostille valid in countries that are not Convention members?
No. An apostille only works in other member countries. Countries outside the Convention use a different process, usually called legalisation. The office that receives your document decides what it accepts.
Sources and verification
Sources
- HCCH status table: Apostille Convention (1961)
- Brazil - Competent Authority (Art. 6)
- Decisão da Corregedoria da Justiça (TJPR)
- Notification regarding the electronic Apostille Programme (e-APP), No 3 of 2021
- Status
- Last verified: (18 October 2026)
- How it was checked
- Checked by our team against the sources above
- Next review
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