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?
The main requirement for entering and exiting Brazil is to have a valid 'travel document.'
The passport is the travel document of choice, and under Brazilian law, there is no restriction on presenting a passport issued by another country when entering or exiting the Brazilian border control.
Regarding the case in question, 'Brazilian with 'dual citizenship,' it is highly recommended you show your Brazilian passport (even if expired), or another Brazilian ID, to prove you are Brazilian.
Thus, by demonstrating 'dual citizenship' Brazilian status, several restrictions that are legally imposed on foreigners, such as length of stay, fines for non-compliance with immigration laws, etc., will no longer apply.
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. BE AWARE: 1) For parents in Brazil, the signature must be signed before a notary public ( Cartório). 2) For Brazilian parents in the US, the signature can be notarized at the Consulate before a consular agent. 3) For non-Brazilian parents in the US or Brazilians wishing to avoid coming to the Consulate, the signature must be notarized by a Notary Public. Then, the Notary's signature must be certified by the Secretary of State or County Clerk, as an Apostille (certification) will be attached to the document.
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.
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.
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.
7. Can I apply for a passport by mail?
Yes.
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'.
9. Can children be included on their parents' passports?
No.
10. Passports are the property of the Brazilian Nation and should not be retained by any foreign authority.
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.