Marrying a Brazilian citizen in Brazil is legally possible and accessible for foreigners, regardless of their residency status. Whether the intention is to build a life together, move to Brazil, or secure recognition abroad, it is essential to understand each procedural and legal step to ensure a valid and enforceable marriage. This article provides a detailed and updated roadmap for foreigners seeking to marry under Brazilian law.

Brazilian law establishes 18 years of age as the legal minimum to marry without parental or judicial consent. Individuals aged 16 or 17 may marry, but only with the explicit authorization of both parents or legal guardians. If one or both guardians are absent or refuse to give consent, the minor may seek judicial authorization, which will only be granted in specific situations. As of Law nº 13.811/2019, marriage under the age of 16 is categorically prohibited, even in cases of pregnancy or with judicial approval. This legal reform aligns with international standards for child protection and ensures that no minor under 16 can be legally married in Brazil under any circumstance.

Brazilian civil law allows both nationals and foreigners, including tourists and non-residents, to get married in Brazil. There is no requirement to hold a visa, be a resident, or have a CPF (Cadastro de Pessoa Física). The marriage will be recognized under Brazilian law and, with proper authentication, internationally.

The foreign party must provide the following: valid passport as primary ID; birth certificate, legalized or apostilled, and translated into Portuguese by a sworn translator; certificate of civil status (single, divorced, or widowed) issued in the country of origin and properly legalized or apostilled, with certified translation; proof of address in Brazil (which can be temporary); divorce decree or death certificate of a former spouse, if applicable; and names and IDs of two adult witnesses not related to the couple. All foreign documents must be translated in Brazil by a sworn public translator and registered at the Cartório de Títulos e Documentos.

Foreign documents must follow two steps. First, legalization or apostille: if from a Hague Apostille Convention country, documents must be apostilled in the country of issuance. If not, they must be legalized at the Brazilian Consulate or Embassy in the country of origin. Second, all documents must be translated in Brazil by a certified sworn translator and registered at a notary office. This ensures that foreign documents are legally valid for use in Brazilian civil proceedings.

The couple must appear together at the Registro Civil (Civil Registry Office) in the Brazilian city where the Brazilian partner resides. A formal request to marry is filed, documents are reviewed and authenticated, and two adult witnesses present themselves and sign the request. Once approved, the registry office will publish the Proclamas, a public notice of the upcoming marriage.

The Proclamas is a mandatory public announcement posted at the civil registry for 15 days, allowing for any legal objection to the marriage. After this period, the marriage can be performed within 90 days. If this timeframe lapses, the process must begin again from the start.

If either party is not fluent in Portuguese, a sworn interpreter must be present at all appointments, including the marriage ceremony. This ensures legal understanding of all declarations, forms, and contractual terms. The interpreter must be appointed in advance and appear with the couple when documents are submitted and at the wedding itself.

Couples must select a marital property regime, which determines how assets will be treated during and after the marriage. The default regime in Brazil is comunhão parcial de bens (partial community of property), in which all property acquired after the wedding is considered jointly owned, while assets acquired before marriage remain individual. Alternative regimes include separação total de bens (full separation of property), where all assets and debts remain individually owned; comunhão universal de bens, where all property before and during marriage becomes joint property; and participação final nos aquestos, where each spouse owns their individual property but may share in the growth of the other’s assets upon dissolution. To choose a regime other than the default, a pacto antenupcial (prenuptial agreement) must be signed before the wedding, notarized, and registered with the Real Estate and Titles Registry.

After the Proclamas period ends, the couple can schedule the civil marriage ceremony, which can occur at the registry office or at a private location, subject to approval and fees. During the ceremony, the registrar reads the legal provisions and formalizes the union. Upon completion, the couple receives a certidão de casamento (marriage certificate), which serves as the official proof of marriage.

Brazilian law permits marriage by proxy for one or both parties through a public power of attorney. This is common when the foreign partner cannot be present in Brazil. The power of attorney must be notarized abroad and apostilled or legalized, then translated and registered in Brazil, or executed at a Brazilian consulate abroad. The proxy attends all steps, including the ceremony, on behalf of the absent party.

After marriage, the Brazilian marriage certificate can be used internationally by sworn translation into the language of the destination country and apostille under the Hague Convention, done at a designated notary office in Brazil. This allows the document to be accepted for immigration, citizenship, or civil procedures in other countries.

Marriage to a Brazilian does not automatically grant citizenship, but it does enable eligibility for a permanent visa, typically after one year of proven marital cohabitation in Brazil. Naturalization may be requested after four years of residence and marriage, reduced to one year if the couple has a Brazilian child. The process requires Portuguese language proficiency, a clean criminal record, and evidence of integration in Brazilian society.

Children born to a Brazilian parent are Brazilian citizens, even if born outside Brazil. If the birth takes place abroad, it must be registered at a Brazilian embassy or consulate. The child may also claim dual nationality, depending on the laws of the other country involved.

Brazilian law also recognizes stable unions between partners who live together in a long-term, committed relationship without a formal marriage. A união estável can be registered at a notary office via a declaration signed by both parties. Couples may define their property regime and rights via a private or public agreement. It grants similar rights to marriage for immigration, inheritance, and social benefits. A stable union may later be converted into a marriage upon request.

Marrying a Brazilian citizen in Brazil is a legally secure process that welcomes foreign nationals. From understanding age requirements and property regimes to securing visas and citizenship rights, each stage must be addressed with care and proper documentation. Always consult the Registro Civil where the marriage will take place, and consider seeking legal advice if the case involves foreign documents, property concerns, or residence issues. This guide offers a comprehensive foundation for legally marrying in Brazil and building a future together with full recognition both locally and abroad.

Dr. Mauricio Ejchel