Powers of attorney
By means of power of attorney, individuals or legal persons - referred to as principal or grantor - grant others - referred to as attorney-in-fact or grantee - powers to, in their name, perform acts or manage their interests in Brazilian territory.
Please select below the required type of power of attorney:
Brazilian law determines that certain powers of attorney shall only be deemed valid and produce legal effects if they are public. The following types belong to this category:
- Power of attorney for marriage purposes
- Power of attorney for divorce purposes
- Power of attorney for mortgage purposes, and for purchase and sale of real estate and vehicles
- Power of attorney for the purpose of transfer of assets and rights etc.
- Power of attorney whose principal is between 16 and 18 years old, is illiterate or, for any other reason, is unable to sign the document
- Power of attorney for other purposes
Click here to learn how to request a public power of attorneyand more (Portuguese only).
The Consulate can issue public powers of attorney to foreign nationals with full mental capacity over the age of 18 who hold a valid RNE (National Registry of Foreigners) card.
RNE cards are only granted to foreign nationals who hold permanent visas and live in Brazil.
Foreign nationals who do not hold a valid RNE card, regardless of being married to a Brazilian national and/or holding a CPF (Taxpayer Registry for Individuals), must seek the assistance of a British notary public. Once issued by a British notary public, the document must be legalised by the FCDO. In order to produce effects at the Brazilian territory, the document must be translated in Brazil by an Official Public Translator and Commercial Interpreter and subsequently registered at a civil registry of deeds and documents.
Although it is similar to a public power of attorney, the private power of attorney is a simple and more informal document, drafted and printed in A4 format by the principal. In addition to the personal details of both the principal and the attorney-in-fact – full name, ID card or passport number, CPF, marital status, occupation and full address –, it must inform the powers that are being granted, place and date of issue, and the principal's signature. In this case, one shall not request the service of power of attorney at the Consulate, but rather of signature authentication.
Not all institutions will accept private powers of attorney. The party concerned is responsible for verifying whether a public power of attorney is required or a private power of attorney will suffice. In order to do so, one should consult the recipient of the power of attorney or a legal advisor. One must also check whether a specific power of attorney model can be used.