General information

What is signature authentication?

It is the certification, by a consular authority, of signatures affixed to various documents intended for use in Brazil.

Signature authentication may be performed either by authenticity or by similarity.

Authentication by authenticity requires that the document be signed by the applicant in the presence of the Consular Authority. This is an essentially in-person service.

Authentication by similarity, on the other hand, is carried out by comparing the signature on a given document with the specimen previously registered at the Consulate. Therefore, authentication by similarity requires that the signature to be authenticated has been previously registered with the Consulate.

Which signatures can be authenticated at the Consulate?

The consular authority may authenticate the signatures of:

I – foreign authorities performing their duties within the consular jurisdiction;

II – notaries public or registrars in office within the consular jurisdiction, or any other competent authority, in accordance with local law. When necessary, their authority to act as a notary public must first be certified by the competent local body;

III – authorities from international organizations of which Brazil is a member and which operate within the consular jurisdiction;

IV – directors and secretaries of educational institutions operating within the consular jurisdiction;

V – Brazilian citizens; and

VI – foreign nationals residing in Brazil, either temporarily or permanently, holding valid National Migration Registry Cards (CRNM).

Who may request this service?

Brazilian citizens and foreign nationals residing in Brazil, either temporarily or permanently, holding valid visas or valid National Migration Registry Cards (CRNM).