Brazilian Nationality
- those born in Brazil, even if of foreign parents, provided that they are not at the service of their country;
- those born abroad, of a Brazilian father or a Brazilian mother, provided that either of them is at the service of Brazil;
- those born abroad, to a Brazilian father or a Brazilian mother, provided that they are registered with a competent Brazilian authority, or come to reside in Brazil, and opt for the Brazilian nationality at any time after reaching majority.
It also states that the following are naturalised Brazilians (art. 12, item II):
- those who, as set forth by law, acquire Brazilian nationality, it being the only requirement for persons originating from Portuguese-speaking countries the residence for one uninterrupted year and good moral repute;
- foreigners of any nationality, resident in Brazil for over fifteen uninterrupted years and without criminal conviction, provided that they apply for the Brazilian nationality.
For further information related to Brazilian nationality, visit the Ministry of Justice's website, or contact the ministry's Nationality and Naturalisation Division by e-mail, at "estrangeiros@mj.gov.br" or "dnn@mj.gov.br".
How to obtain the Brazilian nationality
According to Brazilian law, immigrants can request the Brazilian nationality if they meet the following requirements:
1. Have civil capacity under Brazilian law
2. Live in Brazil for an indefinite period and have been in Brazil for at least 04 (four) years*;
3. Have the ability to communicate in Portuguese; and
4. Have no criminal conviction or are rehabilitated, under the terms of law.
*Term Reduction
a) The residency requirement for a period of at least 04 (four) years will be reduced to 01 (one) year if the naturalizing person meets one of the following requirements:
I - has a Brazilian born or naturalized child, except for provisional naturalization; or
II - has a Brazilian spouse or partner and is not legally or de facto separated from him/her at the time the naturalization is granted.
2) The requirement of residence for a period for at least 04 (four) years will be reduced to 02 (two) years if the naturalizing person meets one of the following requirements:
I - has provided or may provide relevant service to the country; or
II - is recommended for their professional, scientific or artistic capacity.
The request must be sent to the Ministry of Justice online via "Sistema Naturalizar-se".
Option for the Brazilian nationality
The consular birth certificate of children of Brazilians who were born abroad between 1994 and 2007 contains a note on nationality.
The text and its location may vary, but, in general, it appears in the footer of the document with the following wording:
“A CONDIÇÃO DE BRASILEIRO ESTÁ SUJEITA A CONFIRMAÇÃO ATRAVÉS DE DOIS EVENTOS: RESIDÊNCIA NO BRASIL E OPÇÃO PELA NACIONALIDADE BRASILEIRA PERANTE JUIZ FEDERAL.”
[“BRAZILIAN CITIZENSHIP IS SUBJECT TO CONFIRMATION THROUGH TWO EVENTS: RESIDENCE IN BRAZIL AND OPTION FOR BRAZILIAN NATIONALITY BEFORE A FEDERAL JUDGE.]”
The observation requires that the registered person chooses Brazilian nationality when they turn 18. This option for nationality can only occur via legal action.
The Embassy CANNOT provide consular services (passports, military enlistment, marriage or birth records, for example) to persons whose certificates contain this observation of nationality.
If the consular birth registration carried out at the Embassy has not yet been transcribed in a Brazilian registry office (cartório), there is the possibility of requesting, at this Embassy, a duplicate to remove the nationality note from the document. Check the information here on how to apply for a certified copy.
If the consular birth registration has been carried out in another Brazilian consular office and has not yet been transcribed in a notary's office (cartório), the duplicate request must be presented directly at the Consulate/Embassy that issued it.
If the record has already been transcribed in a Brazilian registry office (cartório), any duplicate document must be obtained directly from the registry office where the registration was made. If this is not possible, the interested party will have to file an action for confirmation of nationality with the Brazilian federal court.
Loss of Brazilian nationality
Pursuant to article 12, § 4, item II of the Federal Constitution, loss of nationality shall be declared if a Brazilian acquires another nationality, except in case of:- recognition of the original nationality by the foreign law;
- imposition of naturalization, under the foreign rules, to the Brazilian resident in a foreign State, as a condition for permanence in its territory, or for the exercise of civil rights.
Alternatively, the individual can post the loss of nationality application to the Ministry of Justice, to the address below:
Ministério da Justiça - Departamento de Migrações [Ministry of Justice - Migration Department]
Esplanada dos Ministérios, Bloco T, anexo II, sala T3, Brasília - DF,
CEP: 70.064-900
To check the list of required documents for this service, click here.The application template and guidelines for sending and following the request through are available on the website of the Ministry of Justice (Portuguese only).
The loss of Brazilian nationality will only be made final once the National Secretary of Justice's Ordinance has been published in the Federal Gazette (D.O.U.) at the end of the administrative proceedings (which can either be requested by the court at its own motion or by the person concerned), after full right to defense has been granted.