Having a baby in Brazil comes with important paperwork to secure your child’s rights as a Brazilian citizen. Every newborn in Brazil is automatically a Brazilian citizen by birth (jus soli), regardless of the parents’. To formalize this, parents must register the birth and obtain a Certidão de Nascimento (Brazilian birth certificate), then apply for the baby’s Brazilian passport.
Introduction:
Having a baby in Brazil comes with important paperwork to secure your child’s rights as a
Brazilian citizen. Every newborn in Brazil is automatically a Brazilian citizen by birth (jus soli), regardless of
the parents’. To formalize this, parents must register the birth and obtain a Certidão de Nascimento
(Brazilian birth certificate), then apply for the baby’s Brazilian passport. This 2025 guide provides a clear,
step-by-step roadmap for foreign and Brazilian parents alike – covering when and where to register the birth,
which documents you’ll need, legal timeframes, costs, and how to get your newborn’s first passport.
We’ll also highlight common pitfalls (like document translations and parental travel consent), real examples,
and link to resources on residency for parents, dual citizenship, and healthcare for your child. By the end,
you’ll know exactly how to ensure your Brazil-born baby’s documents are in order, giving them a solid
start as a new Brazilian citizen.
Registering a child’s birth in Brazil is mandatory and should ideally be done soon after birth. The result is the Certidão de Nascimento, the official birth certificate confirming your baby’s name, birth details, and Brazilian nationality. Below is a step-by-step guide to registering the birth:
Before leaving the hospital or birthing center, you will receive a “Declaração de Nascido Vivo” (DNV) – a standard Hospital Birth Statement. This document is proof of your baby’s birth and includes details like the baby’s date and time of birth, and parents’ names. The DNV is required for the civil registration. Ensure the hospital gives you this form and keep it safe; you will need to present it at the registry office.
Births in Brazil are registered at a Cartório de Registro Civil (civil registry notary office). Typically, you should register the baby in the city where the birth took place (the cartório in the jurisdiction of the hospital). When to register: Brazilian law allows up to 15 days for the birth to be registered by the father, but this period extends to 60 days if the mother is the one. In practice, either parent (or both) can register the newborn, and as of law 13.112/2015, mothers have equal authority to do so as. It’s best not to delay – registering within the first couple of weeks is recommended to ensure your baby’s documents are ready in time for any travel or health needs. (If more than 60 days pass, you can still register the birth, but additional requirements may apply, such as providing the DNV and, if DNV is missing, two witnesses, for children up to 12 years.)
When you go to the cartório, bring the necessary documents:
Important nuances: If the parents’ IDs (passports) are not in Portuguese, the cartório may require a certified translation into. Requirements vary, so it’s wise to ask the cartório in advance. Generally, translations must be done in Brazil by an official tradutor juramentado (sworn translator); foreign notarizations or translations might not be accepted. It’s also a good idea to have extra copies of all documents, though the cartório will mainly need originals for verification.
It’s common for one parent (often the mother, if recovering) to be unable to go in person. Brazil allows one parent to register the birth alone, but there are a few scenarios to consider:
In any complex situation (absent parent, documents in transit, etc.), communicate with the cartório officers – they handle these cases regularly and will guide you on acceptable solutions. It’s also perfectly acceptable to bring a Portuguese-speaking friend or hire a document facilitator if you feel unsure, as they can help avoid. Each cartório might have slight variations in procedure, so checking their requirements beforehand is a smart.
At the cartório, you will fill out a registration form with the baby’s details (name, date/time of birth, place of birth) and parents’ details. Double-check the spelling of names (especially if you have non-Portuguese names – provide clear spellings and even show your own birth certificates if needed for accurate transcription). Once the information is recorded, the registrar will issue the official birth certificate (Certidão de Nascimento). This is usually done on the spot or within the same day. The first printed copy of the birth certificate is free by law for all babies born in. The certificate will include a unique registration number and the signatures/stamp of the registrar. Before you leave, verify all details on the certificate are correct (baby’s full name, parents’ names, dates, etc.).
You should request additional copies if you think you’ll need them (for example, for embassy use or personal records) – additional copies typically cost a small fee (the fee is standardized and usually equivalent to a few dollars). The registro civil (civil registration) itself is permanently kept in the cartório’s archives, and the certidão is an extract of that record for your. If you ever lose the certificate, you can obtain a second via (duplicate) from any civil registry office in Brazil, as long as you have the necessary details of the registration.
Tip: If you plan to use the Brazilian birth certificate in another country (for instance, to claim your baby’s other nationality), you will likely need to legalize it for international use. Brazil is a signatory of the Apostille Convention. Therefore, you can get an apostille stamp on the birth certificate at a cartório authorized for apostilles. This makes the Brazilian document valid abroad. It’s wise to apostille a certified copy of the birth certificate (instead of the original), so you can keep the original pristine. After apostilling, you may also need an official translation of the birth certificate into the language of the other country. Many parents do this if they intend to register the child’s birth with their home country’s embassy or to obtain a foreign passport for the baby. (For example, foreign consulates in Brazil often require the Brazilian birth cert with apostille and a translation.) While this step is beyond Brazilian paperwork, it’s good to be aware of it now. You can do it soon after getting the birth certificate, to save time later if applying for the child’s second citizenship.
In Brazil, even newborns can be issued a CPF number – and in fact, a new law (Lei 14.534/2023) requires that every person (including minors) have a CPF for many official. The CPF is crucial for things like getting a passport, opening a bank account, or adding the child to health insurance. The good news: many cartórios now facilitate issuing a CPF for your baby at the time of birth. Often, right after registering the birth, the cartório will ask if you want to request a CPF for the baby, and they can generate it in the national system free of charge. If this service is available (as it is in most major cities), take advantage of it – you will receive the baby’s CPF number (sometimes printed on the birth certificate or on a separate document/receipt).
If the cartório does not issue the CPF automatically, you can obtain a CPF for your child through other means: either by applying online at the Receita Federal website or by visiting a Brazilian Post Office or Banco do Brasil/Caixa Econômica branch that processes CPF requests. You would need the baby’s birth certificate, a photo ID of the parent, and the parent’s CPF to apply. However, in 2025, most parents report that their newborn’s CPF was generated along with the birth registration. Make sure to ask about it during registration. Having the CPF immediately will smooth out the next steps, especially the passport application.
Once the birth certificate is in hand (and the CPF obtained), your Brazil-born baby is legally a Brazilian citizen with the right to a Brazilian passport. A passport is not issued automatically; you must apply for it through the Polícia Federal (Federal Police) which handles passport issuance. Even newborns require their own passport for international travel – Brazil doesn’t allow infants to be added to a parent’s passport. Below is how to get a Brazilian passport for your baby:
The Brazilian passport application process begins online on the Federal Police’s official website (passport issuance section). You will fill an electronic form with the child’s details and at the end, the system will generate a payment slip called GRU (Guia de Recolhimento da União) for the passport fee. As of 2025, the standard fee for a new passport is R$ 257,25 (two hundred fifty-seven reais and twenty-five centavos). This fee is per passport (minors pay the same as adults) and is paid via the GRU at any bank or online banking. Important: Pay this fee and note the receipt number, as you’ll need proof of payment. (There have been discussions about raising the passport fee to around R$430, but as of late 2025 it remains R$257,.) After filling the form and paying, print the protocol page (confirmation page) and the payment receipt (comprovante de pagamento). You will need to bring these to your appointment.
Once the fee is paid (it may take 24-72 hours for the payment to be recognized in the system), schedule the in-person appointment. On the Federal Police’s passport portal, you can choose a location (there are passport offices in all major cities and airports) and a date/time for attendance. Both the baby and the parent(s) will need to attend this appointment. Brazilian law requires minors to be accompanied by their legal guardians for passport issuance. If both parents are in Brazil, it’s best that both go with the baby to simplify the authorization process (more on that below). If one parent cannot attend, prepare the necessary authorization document in advance (see Step 4).
Appointments can book up fast in big cities, so try to schedule as soon as you’ve paid. If you have an urgent need to travel, you might check multiple Federal Police locations for the earliest slot or consider going to an office in a smaller city if feasible. In most cases, though, you’ll get an appointment within a few days or weeks.
Before heading to the appointment, compile the documents you must bring:
Note: If your name has changed since the birth certificate (e.g., you got married and changed your surname), bring documentation of the name change (marriage certificate or official name change document). The officers need to match you to the parent name on the birth.
On the scheduled day, arrive a bit early at the Federal Police passport center with your baby and all required documents. Both parents should be present unless one has provided the notarized consent as described. During the appointment:
Good to know: During this appointment, the Federal Police will also ask if you want to include a travel authorization stamp in the passport. Brazil has strict rules for minors traveling abroad – if a child is traveling with only one parent or alone, the other parent’s authorization (or both, if alone) is required for every trip. To simplify this, Brazil allows parents to have an authorization printed in the passport itself. There are a few options (they call them Formulário específico Tipo 1, 2, or 3). For example, one option is to authorize the child to travel with either parent alone, another option allows the child to travel with third parties or unaccompanied (typically for older kids), and another option is to have no authorization in the passport (meaning you’ll present a separate letter each time travel happens). For a baby, most parents choose the option that allows travel with either parent indistinctly (Type 1). This way, if mom or dad needs to take the baby abroad alone, they won’t need a new notarized letter each time. Discuss with your spouse and decide which is best. If you’re unsure, you can opt to not include any authorization (Type 3), which means you will just do letters for each trip. You will fill the chosen authorization section on the consent form. Keep in mind, whatever choice you print on the passport cannot be changed until you get a new, so choose thoughtfully.
Brazilian passports are usually produced quite quickly. The standard processing time is about 6 business days after your appointment, and in most cases the passport is ready within one week to 10. The Federal Police will tell you when to come back (or you can track the status online using the protocol number). When you return to pick it up, you must bring the baby (for identity verification) and at least one parent with an ID. In many offices, only one parent is required to pick up, but verify local rules – some may ask for the same parent(s) who applied. Present the pickup stub and your ID. The officer may ask to see the baby (to ensure the photo matches). They will then hand over the new passport. For an infant, the passport validity is typically 5 years (for ages 0-1, it might be slightly shorter; Brazil often gives minors a passport valid for 5 years regardless of age now, but previously infants got 1 or 2-year validity – check the expiration date on the passport when you receive it). Make sure all details in the passport are correct (name spelling, birth date, etc.) before leaving. If you spot an error, inform them immediately for correction.
Congratulations – your baby now has a Brazilian passport! This document, combined with the birth certificate, opens the world to them. The Brazilian passport is biometric and one of the strongest globally, allowing visa-free access to about 170 countries (including all of Europe, UK, much of Asia, and the Americas). Even if you don’t plan to travel immediately, it’s a good idea to have the passport ready in case of emergencies or trips to visit family abroad.
Important Travel Note: Brazilian citizens (even newborn dual nationals) must exit and enter Brazil with a Brazilian travel document. If your baby has another nationality and passport, foreign airlines or countries might allow travel with that, but Brazilian Federal Police expect a Brazilian citizen to present a Brazilian passport when leaving the country. In practice, if you attempted to leave using only a foreign passport, it could raise issues at immigration. Thus, obtaining this Brazilian passport is crucial before any international travel. If you are in an extreme rush and the passport isn’t ready, the Federal Police can issue an emergency travel document (laissez-passer) in rare cases, but this is complicated and only for true emergencies. For all normal situations, plan to have the Brazilian passport in hand.
Finally, don’t forget to also obtain any other documents your baby may need: for instance, a foreign birth registration or passport from your home country (to secure their dual citizenship, if applicable), a Brazilian RG (identity card) when they are a bit older, and include your child in your Brazilian health plans (SUS or private).
If you, the parent, are a foreign national, your Brazil-born baby has not only gained citizenship for themselves – they’ve also opened a door for you. Under Brazil’s immigration law, foreign parents of a Brazilian citizen are eligible for residency. You can apply for a residência (residence permit) based on having a Brazilian child, which is typically granted even if you are on a tourist visa or. The process involves submitting proof of the family bond (your baby’s birth certificate naming you as a parent) and some background documents to the Federal Police. The initial residency is often two years, after which it can become. This status allows you to live and work in Brazil legally, and after one year of permanent residency, you may even become eligible for Brazilian citizenship. For a detailed walkthrough on obtaining residency through your Brazilian child, see our guide on Parent Residency in Brazil (how foreign parents can get legal residency via their baby).
You should also explore our resources on healthcare for your child. Brazil offers universal public healthcare (SUS), which covers your baby even if the parents are foreigners. Learn how to get your baby’s SUS card and what pediatric care is available in our Brazilian Healthcare System overview. Additionally, ensure you keep up with the newborn vaccination schedule – Brazil’s vaccine program is robust and free at public clinics.
Lastly, consider the dual citizenship aspect. Brazil allows dual (or multiple) citizenship without any. If you want your child to have citizenship of your home country as well, contact your country’s embassy in Brazil to register the birth abroad or apply for your baby’s foreign passport. Many countries (like the US, Canada, UK, EU nations, etc.) confer citizenship by descent, so your baby may be entitled to two or more nationalities. Dual citizenship can be a significant advantage for your child’s future, granting more travel freedom, education opportunities, and rights in multiple. We have a dedicated article on Dual Citizenship for Brazil-born children that discusses how to handle the process and the benefits.
By completing the birth registration and obtaining a Brazilian passport, you’ve accomplished the most urgent tasks after your baby’s arrival. Your child now has official identity documents and can fully claim their rights as a Brazilian. Keep those documents safe – the birth certificate and passport will be needed for everything from getting a CPF and registering with a pediatrician, to opening a bank account in your child’s name or traveling to visit relatives.
Below we answer some Frequently Asked Questions that parents often have about this process.
You are expected to register the birth within 15 days if possible. However, Brazilian law allows up to 60 days after birth for either parent to register without any. This extension (15 days to 60 days) was introduced to make it easier for mothers to register if the father can’t do it. In practice, most hospitals will remind you to register the baby as soon as you’re discharged. If more than 60 days pass, you can still register the child’s birth (up until the child turns 12, it’s done normally as long as you have the DNV), but you might need to provide additional witness statements if the DNV is missing. It’s best not to wait that long unless absolutely necessary. Register early to avoid any issues (and so you can get the passport and other documents ready if you need to travel).
The first copy of the birth certificate is free for every baby born in. This is guaranteed by law to encourage all births to be registered. When you register the birth at the cartório, they will issue you the certidão de nascimento (birth certificate) at no charge. If you need additional copies, those come with a fee – typically around R$20–R$30 per copy (the exact amount can vary by state or if the document is requested in an expedited manner). If you ever lose the certificate, you can always obtain a second via from any civil registry; that will have a cost as well. Also note, getting an apostille on the certificate (for international use) has a fee, usually on the order of R$100 or so. But the core document, initially, is free of charge.
The process is largely the same for foreign or Brazilian parents. You’ll need the baby’s DNV form, the parents’ passports (make sure your visa or entry stamp is in order, though undocumented parents can still register their baby – the cartório will not report your immigration status), and a marriage certificate if you are married. If your documents (passport, marriage cert) are not in Portuguese, be prepared to provide official translations. Many cartórios will accept the foreign passport as ID but might ask for a translated copy for their. If one parent cannot attend, have a power of attorney or notarized authorization for the absent parent’s. The cartório staff might also ask for your Brazilian address (comprovante de residência) to record in the registry – usually just verbally stating it or writing it on the form is enough, but having a proof (like a utility bill) can be useful. Finally, you’ll enter the baby’s chosen name – the cartório has some leeway to disallow very unusual or misleading names, but generally they accept the parents’ choice. If you’re worried about name spelling (for example, non-Portuguese characters or a surname that’s uncommon), discuss it with the registrar; they might advise slight adaptations to fit Brazilian naming standards.
Yes, any baby born on Brazilian soil (except children of foreign diplomats) is a Brazilian citizen at birth by force of the. There is nothing extra you need to do to “claim” Brazilian citizenship for them – the act of registering the birth and getting the birth certificate is the proof of citizenship. The birth certificate will list the baby’s nationality as brasileira. With that, you can obtain a Brazilian passport and later other Brazilian documents (like an ID card, CPF, etc.) for your child. Brazilian citizenship is permanent and does not expire, though if your child lives abroad long-term, they should maintain their Brazilian documents as needed. One important note: If your child holds another citizenship from the parents, that’s fine – Brazil allows dual citizenship. Just be sure to use the Brazilian passport when entering/leaving Brazil, as mentioned. There is no requirement to choose one citizenship over the other at any age.
Ideally, yes, both parents should attend the passport appointment with the baby, because Brazilian authorities require consent from both legal guardians to issue a minor’s. When both parents are there, the process is straightforward: you both sign the consent form in front of the. If one parent absolutely cannot attend (maybe they are overseas or unwell), that parent must provide a notarized authorization form in. This form must have their signature recognized by a notary (or Brazilian consulate if abroad) and explicitly authorize the issuance of the passport for the child. Without either the second parent present or a valid authorization, the Federal Police will not issue the passport. In cases of sole custody or other special circumstances (death of a parent, etc.), official proof of that situation (court order, death certificate) will substitute for the absent parent’s. The key is, the authorities need to be assured that no guardian is objecting to the passport. This is to prevent parental kidnapping issues. So plan ahead to have both parents there or get the paperwork done for one’s absence.
In normal circumstances, from the day of your passport appointment, it takes about 1 week for the passport to be. The official timeline given is 6 to 10 business days, and many parents report getting the passport in around 6–7 days. The process timeline breakdown is: maybe a few days to get an appointment, the appointment itself, then a week for printing. If you are in a major rush (say, you need to travel in less than two weeks), try to schedule the earliest possible appointment and let the staff know your situation – occasionally, they might expedite if you have proof of emergency (like a medical reason). There is also an emergency passport procedure for life-and-death situations or urgent medical travel, but that is an exception and involves documentation of the emergency. Note: once the passport is issued, you (or an authorized person) must pick it up within 90 days, otherwise the Federal Police will cancel and destroy. So don’t forget to retrieve it. If your travel is imminent and the passport isn’t ready, your baby cannot leave Brazil except with some temporary travel document (which is very rare to get). So, factor in this timeline. Start the passport process as soon as you get the birth certificate – you can even fill the online form and pay while waiting for the certificate, then schedule for immediately after you have the certidão in hand.
This will depend on your country’s laws. Most likely, your baby has dual citizenship by descent through you or your partner’s nationality. For example, if you are American, British, Canadian, Indian, Nigerian, Russian, etc., you can report the birth to your embassy and apply for your child’s passport from that country. Usually, the process involves using the Brazilian birth certificate as proof (hence you might need it translated and apostilled). Check with your embassy in Brazil for the exact steps. Many embassies allow you to file a Consular Report of Birth Abroad or a citizenship registration for the child. Once that’s approved, you can get the foreign passport. It’s wise to start this process soon if you intend for the child to have the other nationality, because it can sometimes take several weeks or months. However, when traveling out of Brazil, remember that a Brazilian citizen should leave on a Brazilian passport. You can present both passports at the airport if needed (Brazilian to exit Brazil, and the other passport to enter your destination country). Managing dual citizenship can be straightforward – just keep both countries’ documents up to date. We have an article on Dual Citizenship that covers the general approach and lists considerations for various countries (like requirement of notifying one’s government about the second nationality, etc.). In short, having a Brazilian birth certificate makes your child Brazilian; having a parent from another country likely makes them a dual citizen – you just need to formalize it with the foreign authorities. Brazil won’t object at all to your child holding multiple citizenships.
A few pitfalls to watch out for:
(All information validated against official sources and current laws as of 2025.)
This guide is for general informational purposes and reflects the rules and procedures in effect as of 2025. Always double-check requirements with official Brazilian authorities (cartório civil and Polícia Federal) as laws and policies can change. Remember that individual cases can vary – when in doubt, seek professional legal advice. This article is not legal counsel. Rules may be updated beyond 2025, so ensure you have the latest information when you undertake these processes.
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With over 14 years of experience in obstetrics, including a wide range of care from prenatal monitoring to labor and postpartum recovery.
An obstetrician in Brazil – providing professional support for expectant mothers. My name is Diego Di Marco, and I am an obstetrician with over 14 years of experience and more than 2,000 successful deliveries. I place a special emphasis on providing quality care for expectant mothers at every stage of pregnancy, from prenatal care to childbirth.
