Apostille for Brazil · California Documents
Apostille for Brazil from California
Brazil entered the Hague Apostille Convention on August 14, 2016 — a California apostille now replaces the former consular legalization requirement.
Documents we apostille for Brazil
Birth certificate
Required for Brazilian citizenship registration at a cartório and child registration at the Brazilian Consulate.
Marriage certificate
Apostilled for marriage recognition at a Brazilian cartório. Single-status declaration (notarized + apostilled) also required.
FBI background check
Federal route via U.S. Dept of State — not California SOS. Required for Brazilian permanent and temporary visas.
Diploma & transcripts
For credential recognition (revalidação) at Brazilian federal universities and professional licensing bodies.
Power of attorney
Notarized in California, apostilled for real estate and legal matters before Brazilian authorities.
Divorce decree
Apostilled for prior-marriage documentation at cartório or the Brazilian Consulate.
How the Brazil apostille works
- Document check ($45, credited). We verify your document is California-issued, correctly certified, and Brazil-ready before any Secretary of State fee is paid.
- Sacramento filing. Couriered to the California Secretary of State — mail-in or same-day in person depending on your timeline.
- Brazil routing. The Apostille Convention entered into force for Brazil on 14 August 2016, one of the more recent major additions to the treaty — a California apostille is accepted at cartórios, consulates, and Brazilian government agencies.
- Returned tracked. Apostilled document returned by tracked carrier with status updates throughout.
Brazil apostille — FAQ
Does Brazil accept California apostilles?
Yes, since August 14, 2016. Before that date, California documents required Brazilian consular legalization. After that date, the California Secretary of State apostille is accepted.
What is a tradutor juramentado?
A tradutor juramentado is a sworn translator registered with a Brazilian state Junta Comercial. Sworn translations carry legal force (fé pública) in Brazilian proceedings. Required when submitting English-language California documents to Brazilian courts, cartórios, or government agencies.
Do I need apostilled documents for marriage at a Brazilian cartório?
Yes — apostilled California birth certificate, statement of single status (notarized + apostilled), and apostilled divorce decree if applicable. Your cartório will specify the exact checklist.
Can the California SOS apostille an FBI background check for Brazilian residency?
No. FBI documents are federal records authenticated by the U.S. Department of State, not California SOS. We prepare California documents and advise on the federal route.
Status and requirements for Brazil verified against the HCCH Apostille Section status table (hcch.net) as of 2026-06-19. Not legal advice.
Related routes & tools
Document Check — $45
Credited 100% to your apostille service.
Pricing & state fees
$20 + $6 SOS fees and service ranges.
How it works
The full California apostille process.
Processing times
Direct from SOS published timelines.
Same-day filing
In-person Sacramento counter.
Apostille by mail
When timing is flexible.
Sacramento SOS counter
Address, hours, payment, walk-in.
Which documents qualify
Eligible California document types.
Birth certificate
Most common citizenship document.
Marriage certificate
For spousal and civil filings.
Diploma & transcripts
Credential recognition abroad.
Power of attorney
Property and legal matters abroad.
Federal / FBI route
U.S. Dept of State authentication.
Non-Hague legalization
Consular route when apostille won’t work.
All countries
Destination routing hub.
Apostille guide
The full pillar overview.
Talk to a specialist
Phone, email, form.