A divorce granted in another country, child custody decided by a foreign court, a money judgment, an international arbitral award. To take effect in Brazil, these decisions generally must be recognized by Brazil's Superior Court of Justice (STJ). Our team handles the entire process, from document review to enforcement of the decision in Brazil.

What Can Be Recognized

- Divorces, legal separations and division of assets located outside Brazil;

- Custody, parenting time and child or spousal support;

- Adoptions granted abroad;

- Civil and commercial judgments, including money judgments;

- Foreign arbitral awards;

- Succession and probate decisions, where applicable.

Main Requirements

- Decision rendered by a competent authority in the country of origin;

- Proper service of process on the opposing party, or default lawfully established;

- Decision effective in the country where it was issued;

- Documents apostilled or legalized and translated by a sworn translator;

- No violation of Brazilian public policy, national sovereignty or a final Brazilian judgment.

Special Situations

- Simple uncontested divorces, with no division of assets, custody or support, may be registered directly with a Brazilian civil registry office, without STJ recognition;

- Real estate located in Brazil falls under the exclusive jurisdiction of Brazilian courts, and foreign divisions of assets that include such property are not recognized;

- Provisional or urgent decisions may be enforced through letters rogatory.

How We Act

- Feasibility assessment and review of foreign documents

- Guidance on apostilles, legalization and sworn translation

- Filing and follow-up of the application before the STJ

- Registration of the decision with the competent registry offices

- Enforcement of the recognized judgment before the Federal Courts

Why Choose Us

Our team has long-standing experience in private international law and international legal cooperation, including the technical requirements that most often cause delays and rejections. Every application is carefully prepared to proceed securely and efficiently.

With an office in Brasília, we closely follow cases before the Superior Court of Justice. We also serve clients in Recife and São Luís, in person and online, in Brazil and abroad.

Do you have a foreign decision that needs to be effective in Brazil? Send us your documents for an initial assessment.