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Consular legalization of Brazilian documents in Brasília
To use a Brazilian document in a country that does not accept the Hague Apostille, it must be legalized by Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Itamaraty) and by the embassy of the destination country. Since the embassies are in Brasília, where our main office is, we handle the whole process, sworn translation included.
- Office in Brasília
- Translation, Ministry and embassy in a single order
- Return by mail or DHL
Who this service is for
Besides individuals, we serve companies and foreign professionals who need to go through an embassy in Brasília.
Oil and gas professionals
Engineers and technicians hired by oil companies in Kuwait and other Middle Eastern countries. See legalization for Kuwait (in Portuguese).
Pharmaceutical companies
Certificates issued by Anvisa (Brazil’s health regulatory agency), powers of attorney and employee documents for use in the United Arab Emirates. See legalization for the UAE (in Portuguese).
Study, work and marriage abroad
Diplomas, transcripts, certificates and criminal record checks for people who will study, work or marry in a country outside the Apostille Convention.
From translation to embassy, without traveling to Brasília
Document review
We check whether the destination country accepts the Hague Apostille or requires consular legalization, and what each embassy asks for.
Signature and translation
We check whether the issuing authority’s signature has been authenticated by a notary and, if not, we arrange it in the city where the document was issued. Then we do the sworn translation, when it is also going to be legalized.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
We take the documents to Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Itamaraty), which authenticates Brazilian signatures.
Embassy and return
We have the documents legalized at the embassy of the destination country and return everything by mail or DHL, with tracking. For DHL shipments, we include the carrier’s optional insurance. In more sensitive cases, we can arrange hand delivery.
We provide this service in good faith and make every effort to complete the process as quickly as possible. The final decision, however, always rests with the foreign consular authority, and we cannot guarantee the outcome.
Documents we often legalize
What the document needs before it goes to the Ministry
We check each document as soon as it arrives. These are the points that raise the most questions.
Send a digital copy first
First send a copy of all documents through the form or WhatsApp. We check that the set is complete, for example, that no diploma is missing its transcript, and tell you what each one needs. Only then do you send the originals.
Send the original document
As a rule, legalization is done on the original document, which must be sent to our office in Brasília. We return everything by mail or DHL, with tracking.
Authenticated signature of the issuing authority
On a paper document, at least one signature of the issuing authority must be authenticated at a Brazilian notary office. On a diploma, it can be the rector’s or the academic registrar’s signature, or both. Authenticating only the student’s signature is not enough.
Not in the city where it was issued?
We arrange the signature authentication for you. When possible, we send the original directly to the notary office in the city where the document was issued. If not, a local agent takes the document to the notary office and returns it to us by mail.
Document issued in digital format
If the original was issued as a digitally signed PDF, like many recent Brazilian diplomas, it may be possible to start from the file. In that case, a notary office prints a certified paper version and validates the digital signature before legalization by the Ministry and the embassy.
Legalize only the original
You can legalize only the original documents, without legalizing the sworn translation. Since each legalized document receives its own stamps, this option lowers the cost. Before choosing, check with whoever will receive the documents whether a legalized translation is required.
How to know which route your document needs
If the destination country is party to the Hague Apostille Convention, the Apostille issued by a notary office is enough. If not, the route is consular legalization: Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and then the country’s embassy or consulate.
The list of countries that accept the Apostille is on the website of Brazil’s National Council of Justice (in Portuguese). If in doubt, send your question with your quote request.
Why Brasília makes a difference
Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and almost all foreign embassies are in Brasília. Some embassies serve more than one country, and in some cases foreigners also need to go through here.
With our office in the city, we follow every step closely and resolve issues the same day.
Clients who needed documents accepted abroad
The support and guidance provided by Interpretando during my working visa to Kuwait was excellent and personalized. Later they give same support for my family visa, with excellent results. As a Bolivian citizen performing the visa process for Kuwait, the alternative given by Interpretando to do the process remotely was a fit for purpose solution.I had a large number of documents that I needed translated for a Brazilian government procurement in a very short period of time. I received all of the documents ahead of schedule for a very reasonable rate. I appreciated that the translator went out of his way to confirm the meaning of certain phrases that were technical in nature and to identify errors I made.I required translation services (Portuguese to English) for a NZ visa. They were faster and more reasonably priced than all other quotes I received. Very happy.Sworn public translators, in Brasília
Florisvaldo Machado
Sworn public translator and interpreter of English and Spanish
JUCIS-DF registration no. 49 · Brazilian Bar (OAB-DF) no. 74.005
Degrees in Translation (English) and Law from the University of Brasília. Sworn public translator since 2009, ranked first in the examination for Spanish.
Klébert Machado
Sworn public translator and interpreter of English and Spanish
JUCIS-DF registration no. 54 · Brazilian Bar (OAB-DF) no. 54.108
Sworn public translator and lawyer, focused on international legal matters. Bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Brasília.
Questions about consular legalization
What is the difference between the Hague Apostille and consular legalization?
The Apostille is a single certificate, issued by a notary office, accepted among the countries that are party to the convention. Consular legalization is the route for all other countries and has two steps: Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the embassy or consulate of the destination country.
Do I need to travel to Brasília?
No. You send the original documents by mail or courier, and we return everything the same way, with tracking.
How long does it take?
It depends on the embassy. Some finish in a few days, others take weeks. Some Middle Eastern embassies close during the last days of each month and during holiday periods, such as Ramadan. Public holidays in the destination country also add time. We give you an estimate in the quote.
How much does it cost?
The price adds up the sworn translation, the Ministry’s and the embassy’s stamps, signature authentication when needed, and shipping. Each legalized document receives its own stamps, and so does each legalized translation. Each embassy has its own fees, so we quote case by case.
Does the translation have to be done before legalization?
When the translation is also going to be legalized, yes: it is done first and goes along with the original. Some embassies ask for a translation into the country’s official language; others accept English.
Can I legalize only the original, without the translation?
Yes. You can legalize only the originals, which reduces the number of stamps and the cost. First check with whoever will receive the documents whether a legalized translation is required.
Which signature on the diploma must be authenticated?
That of at least one authority of the institution that issued the diploma, such as the rector or the academic registrar. Authenticating only the student’s signature is not enough. If you are not in the city where it was issued, we handle this step.
My document was issued as a PDF. Do I need a paper copy?
Not always. When the document was issued in digital format with a digital signature, it may be possible to start from the file. A notary office prints a certified paper version and validates the signature before legalization by the Ministry and the embassy.
What about foreign documents for use in Brazil?
They need an Apostille in the country of origin or, if that country is not party to the convention, legalization at the Brazilian consulate there. Then we do the sworn translation into Portuguese.
Can the embassy refuse legalization?
Yes. We provide this service in good faith and make every effort to complete the process as quickly as possible, but the final decision always rests with the foreign consular authority, and we cannot guarantee the outcome. Some cases tend to be harder: documents that mention countries involved in geopolitical conflicts or with limited international recognition, such as Palestine, Yemen, Israel or Taiwan; some commercial documents; and old Brazilian Treasury bills with very high face values.
Can you hand-deliver the documents?
In more sensitive cases, we can arrange hand delivery. We once sent a staff member to São Paulo’s Guarulhos Airport to deliver documents, including a passport, to a client with a short layover in Brazil.
How is payment made?
By Pix (Brazilian instant transfer), by credit card through PayPal, or in cash. For companies, we issue a Brazilian tax invoice (nota fiscal) or an invoice that meets the requirements of foreign companies.
See also: legalization for Kuwait (in Portuguese) · legalization for the United Arab Emirates (in Portuguese) · Brazilian certificates for people living abroad (in Portuguese).
Need to legalize a document?
Tell us which country the document is for. We reply with the route, the estimated turnaround and the price.
