Home · Services Brazilian citizenship and residency for foreigners

Brazilian citizenship and residency for foreigners with ties to Brazil.

Residence authorization, family reunion and naturalization for foreigners connected to Brazil by marriage, children, work or property. We prepare and file the case from here, and state in writing what requires presence in Brazil before we start.

Request a review of my case Document review and written proposal within 48h
2.000+International clients served
2.500+Cases handled in Brazil
14 yearsPrivate International Law
19 yearsPracticing law in Brazil
This is for you if

Situations we handle

If your case fits one of these scenarios, our team runs the procedure in Brazil and states in writing what requires your presence.

Legal warning

The cost of waiting: marrying a Brazilian does not regularise your stay

Marrying a Brazilian grants neither automatic citizenship nor the right to remain. Without applying for residence authorization, the foreigner stays as a visitor, with a limited period and no right to work. And time spent as a visitor does not count towards the period required for naturalization.

How we settle it

From your first call in the United States to delivery in Brazil

Service in your own time zone in the United States (in Portuguese, English or Spanish) and execution in person at registries and courts in any Brazilian state.

01

Review and drafting

We review your documents and build the legal strategy that best fits your case.

02

Translation and apostille

We arrange the sworn translation and the Hague Apostille with no hassle.

03

Execution in Brazil

Our team files and follows the case in person at registries and courts.

04

Document delivery

You receive the certificate or recorded document digitally and by physical mail.

Possible routes

The right route depends on your case

Each route carries different requirements and costs. Reviewing your documents we determine which applies — and the estimated timeline goes in writing in the proposal, before any payment.

01

Residence through family reunion

A tie to a Brazilian spouse, partner or child. The most common route for those who married a Brazilian.

02

Ordinary naturalization

For those who already hold residency. The period drops from four years to one where there is a Brazilian spouse or child.

03

Extraordinary naturalization

For those who have lived in Brazil for more than fifteen uninterrupted years with no criminal conviction, regardless of family ties.

Paperwork

What you will normally need

A simplified list of the documents usually required to start the procedure.

The exact list for your case comes with the initial review — we ask only for what is needed, with no pointless paperwork.

Who handles your case

Lawyers licensed by the Brazilian Bar, with a life in both countries

Service in your own time zone in the United States — and execution in person at registries and courts in any Brazilian state.

Aline Guedes, attorney, Brazilian Bar MG 117.070, partner at Guedes & Deschamps

Aline Guedes

OAB/MG 117.070

14 years in Private International Law and more than 2,000 Brazilian and foreign clients served. Law degree from PUC Minas, MBA from FGV, international training in Belgium (Louvain) and Australia (Newcastle). Former professor at PUC Minas.

Reinaldo Deschamps, attorney, Brazilian Bar SC 23.817, partner at Guedes & Deschamps

Reinaldo Deschamps

OAB/SC 23.817

19 years of practice and more than 2,500 cases in Brazil, in civil, contract and real estate law. Former court-appointed defender for the Bar of Santa Catarina, a Brazilian and American citizen, he has lived in Florida since 2016 and serves clients in three languages.

Regina Deschamps, legal assistant at Guedes & Deschamps in the United States

Regina Deschamps

Legal Assistant

Law graduate with advanced training in International Family Law. She is the one who receives and organizes your case in the United States: document review, case follow-up, liaison with the team in Brazil and service in your own time zone.

Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about citizenship and residency for foreigners

Does marrying a Brazilian grant automatic Brazilian citizenship?

No. Marriage creates a right to residence authorization through family reunion and cuts the naturalization period from four years to one. Citizenship itself depends on a separate naturalization application.

Does my spouse have to give up their original citizenship?

No. Brazil allows dual nationality and does not require renunciation of a previous nationality to grant naturalization.

Do we need to be in Brazil to file?

It depends on the route. There is the family reunion visa, applied for before travelling, and the residence authorization, filed once in Brazilian territory. In the case review we say which applies and exactly what requires physical presence, in writing, before anything starts.

How much residency does naturalization require?

Four years as a general rule, cut to one year where the foreigner has a Brazilian spouse or child. There is also the extraordinary route, for those who have lived in the country for more than fifteen uninterrupted years with no criminal conviction.

Do you handle American visas as well?

No. We work exclusively in Brazilian law. United States immigration matters are handled by attorneys licensed in that jurisdiction.

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Law without borders · Trust without limits

Residency and Brazilian citizenship, settled from here.

It takes two minutes to fill in. A Brazilian lawyer reviews your case and replies in writing with what can be done, how long it takes and what it costs.

  • A written proposal within 48 hours
  • Scope, timeline and fees agreed before we start
  • You travel neither to Brazil nor to the consulate
  • Bar-licensed lawyers, serving you in your own time zone
2,000+ clients served · written proposal within 48h

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Enter a valid email address (e.g. name@email.com).

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Active service in the United States and in Brazil

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