International divorce · Brazilian STJ
Your life abroad, recognised in Brazil
Recognition of foreign divorce judgments before the STJ — one subject only, handled remotely, with every step explained in plain language.
- Handled remotely, in your time zone — no trip to Brazil
- Consensual or contested divorce decided abroad
- Documents received and organised by email
- Bar admission
- OAB/MG 145.401 · 14 years in practice
- Practice
- One subject only: international divorce and its recognition
- Format
- The whole case handled under power of attorney
- Languages
- Portuguese and English
When you need a foreign divorce recognised in Brazil
A divorce judgment issued by a court in another country has no automatic effect in Brazil. For the divorce to take effect here — and be recorded on your certificate — it must go through a specific procedure.
Depending on the case, that procedure is administrative (handled directly at the registry) or judicial (a recognition action before the Superior Court of Justice, the STJ). The first thing to establish is which of the two routes applies to your situation.
If your foreign divorce was consensual and dealt only with dissolving the marriage, you probably do not need an STJ action: direct recognition at the civil registry is enough. If there was a dispute, or the judgment decided on children, support or property, recognition by the STJ is mandatory.
Who this is for
- Brazilians who divorced abroad and need to regularise their situation in Brazil.
- People living outside Brazil who cannot — or would rather not — travel back to deal with this.
- Lawyers in other countries whose client needs local representation to make the divorce valid in Brazil.
A divorce only ends when both countries agree.
This may be your situation
2
Countries, one document
A decision taken abroad has to cross over before it counts in Brazil. That crossing is what I handle.
How I can help
The documents that cross over with you
Marriage certificate, foreign judgment, Hague apostille, sworn translation, power of attorney. I tell you exactly which ones are yours, in what order to obtain them, and I handle each until your Brazilian certificate is up to date.
From first contact to an updated certificate
- 01 Reading the case You send me the judgment and describe your situation. I review the initial information, point to the likely path and explain each step.
- 02 Power of attorney and documents You sign a power of attorney and receive a tailored checklist. Most of the paperwork is handled remotely.
- 03 Translation and apostille Guidance on the sworn translator and on apostilling in the country of origin — or consular legalisation where that country is not a party to the Apostille Convention.
- 04 Filing and follow-up Filing at the registry or the STJ, responding to any requirements, and a note at every change of stage until the entry is made on your certificate.