FOREIGN JUDGMENT RECOGNITION · INTERNATIONAL DIVORCE
Foreign Divorce Recognition in Brazil
We handle the recognition in Brazil of divorces granted abroad: by direct registration at a Brazilian civil registry office or, when required, by recognition of the foreign judgment before the Superior Court of Justice (STJ), a procedure known in Portuguese as homologação de sentença estrangeira.
Legal services in English and Portuguese, online or in person, for foreign nationals and Brazilians who need to update their marital status in Brazil.
Laís Sampaio · Brazilian lawyer · OAB/PB No. 24116 · Master’s degree in International Legal Sciences, University of Lisbon
01 · WHEN RECOGNITION IS REQUIRED
When do you need to have your foreign divorce recognized in Brazil?
A divorce granted abroad does not automatically change your marital status in Brazil. Until it is recognized, Brazilian records may still show you as married.
Remarrying
To marry again or register a stable union (união estável) in Brazil, your previous marriage must first be dissolved in the Brazilian records.
Selling or dividing property
Buying, selling or dividing property in Brazil usually requires your marital status to be up to date in the Brazilian records.
Updating civil records and documents
Recognition allows your Brazilian marriage certificate, civil records and, if applicable, your name to be updated after the divorce.
Children or assets in two countries
If the divorce also covers children, child support or assets, its effects in Brazil require additional legal analysis.
02 · YOUR LEGAL OPTIONS
Civil Registry or the Superior Court of Justice: Two Possible Routes
The right route depends on what the foreign divorce decision covers. Choosing it correctly from the start avoids delays, extra costs and new document requests.
DIRECT REGISTRATION
At a Civil Registry Office
For a simple consensual divorce that only ends the marriage, without deciding child custody, child support or division of assets.
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No court proceedings in Brazil.
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Documents need a Hague Apostille and a sworn translation into Portuguese.
JUDICIAL RECOGNITION
At the Superior Court of Justice (STJ)
Required for contested divorces and for consensual divorces that also decide child custody, child support or division of assets.
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Fully electronic proceedings: you do not need to travel to Brazil.
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We review the foreign decision in advance to confirm it meets the requirements for recognition.
03 · THE PROCESS
How We Handle Your Case
Four steps, from the first document review to your updated marital status in Brazil.
01
Document Review
We review your foreign divorce decree and your marriage certificate to understand your case and spot any missing requirements.
02
Choosing the Appropriate Procedure
We confirm whether your case qualifies for direct registration at a civil registry office or requires STJ recognition, and define the strategy.
03
Document Preparation and Filing
We organize the required documentation and prepare and file the application with the competent authority.
04
Follow-Up
We monitor the procedure and keep you informed until your Brazilian civil records are updated.
04 · YOUR LAWYER
Laís Sampaio
Brazilian lawyer with a Master’s degree in International Legal Sciences from the University of Lisbon and a postgraduate specialization in International Legal Practice from PUC Minas.
Her practice focuses on International Family Law and Immigration Law, assisting Brazilian and foreign clients with family relationships and assets connected to Brazil.
Brazilian Bar Association · OAB/PB No. 24116 · Consultations in English and Portuguese
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be in Brazil to have my foreign divorce recognized?
No. The process can be handled remotely, through a power of attorney, while you stay in your country of residence.
My divorce was consensual. Do I still need recognition by the STJ?
Not necessarily. Under Article 961, §5 of the Brazilian Code of Civil Procedure, a simple consensual divorce that only ends the marriage can be registered directly at a Brazilian civil registry office. If the decision also covers child custody, child support or property, recognition by the STJ is generally required.
Which documents will I need?
Usually: the foreign divorce decree or certificate with a Hague Apostille (or consular legalization, if the country is not a party to the Apostille Convention), a sworn translation into Portuguese, and your Brazilian marriage certificate, if any. The exact list depends on the country and the route.
Can I remarry in Brazil without having my foreign divorce recognized?
Generally not. If your previous marriage is registered in Brazil, the foreign divorce must be recognized and recorded before you can remarry here.
What if I own property in Brazil?
Property located in Brazil follows specific rules, especially when the foreign decision divides assets. It requires a case-specific review before defining the strategy.
I'm not Brazilian. Do I need to have my divorce recognized in Brazil?
It depends on your ties to Brazil. Recognition is usually needed if you married a Brazilian, if your marriage was registered in Brazil or at a Brazilian consulate, if you plan to marry in Brazil, or if you own property here. We review your situation before recommending any procedure.