Q&A
1. I got married abroad and changed my last name. How do I get a passport with my current name?
You must first register your marriage at the Consulate.
2. I got divorced abroad and went back to using my maiden name. How do I get a passport with my current name?
You must first have your foreign divorce decree officially recognized (homologar) in Brazil and then get a Brazilian marriage certificate with the corresponding name-change annotated.
3. Does Brazilian legislation allow dual citizenship?
Yes, there are no restrictions to multiple nationalities for Brazilians who hold foreign nationality through their place of birth' jus soli' or descent 'jus sanguinis' (nationality of one or both parents). (Federal Constitution of 1988, Constitutional Amendment number 03, of 06/07/1994).
4. I am a dual citizen. Can I enter and exit Brazil with a foreign passport?
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For citizens with dual nationality, it will only be possible to travel to Brazil with a foreign passport if there is no need for a visa. In the case of the United States, since a visa is required, Brazilian citizens must travel with a valid Brazilian passport. There is no provision for granting a visa to Brazilians.
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For people with dual nationality whose country issuing the passport is not required to have a visa, it is suggested that they also present a Brazilian passport (even if expired), or another Brazilian identification document, in good condition, that proves Brazilian nationality, if the trip is made with a foreign passport. Thus, by demonstrating the condition of a Brazilian with 'dual nationality', several restrictions that are legally imposed on foreigners will no longer apply, such as length of stay, fines for non-compliance with immigration laws, etc.
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If one of the parents or a third party is traveling with an underage Brazilian (under 18), be aware that to exit Brazil, a Brazilian minor will only be allowed to leave/board if a written authorization duly signed by the absent parent before a notary, is presented to the border control agent.
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Important: It is recommended that the traveler carry a printout of the Federal Police website guidelines to settle any doubts regarding the entry and exit of Brazilians bearing a foreign passport.
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5. Is it necessary to surrender the expired passport in case of renewal? What about existing visas?
Yes, the current passport must be surrendered for cancellation. We cancel the passport but not the Visa. The canceled passport will be returned to you, and if there are valid visas in it, you will need to present both passports to the border control agent.
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6. Is it possible to extend the validity of my passport by means of a stamp, considering that I will be making an emergency trip?
No. You will need to apply for a new passport.
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7. Can I apply for a passport by mail?
Yes.
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8. Who should sign my child's passport?
A school-age child who can read and write should sign their own passport upon receiving it. The parent's signature will not appear on the child's passport. The passport of a child who is not literate will be stamped 'unable to sign'.
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9. Can children be included on their parents' passports?
No.
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10. Passports are the property of the Brazilian Nation and should not be retained by any foreign authority.
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11. It is the holder's responsibility to immediately inform, in writing, the Brazilian authority or the nearest Consulate of their passport loss, theft, total or partial destruction, as well as its recovery, as the case may be.
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