International family law · Brazilian STJ

Your life abroad, recognised here

Recognition of foreign judgments before the STJ — one subject only, handled remotely, with every step explained in plain language.

Tell me about my case How recognition works

Handled remotely, in your time zone — no trip to Brazil
Divorce, child custody, support, property division and adoption
Documents received and organised by email

When you need a foreign decision recognised in Brazil

A judgment issued by a court in another country has no automatic effect in Brazil. For a foreign divorce, custody order, property division or adoption to take effect here — and to be recorded in the civil registry — 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 proceedings decided on children, support or property, recognition by the STJ is mandatory.

Who this is for

Brazilians who divorced, married or adopted 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 who need local representation for a client before the STJ.
Anyone holding a foreign support or custody judgment they want to enforce in Brazil.

A divorce only ends when both countries agree.

The idea that organises the whole practice

This may be your situation

You divorced abroad and want to remarry Until the divorce is recognised and recorded, your earlier marriage still stands on your Brazilian certificate. A registry blocked the sale of your property An out-of-date civil status on the certificate stops deeds, probate and financing. Recognition clears it. Custody or support decided in another country To take effect in Brazil — travel, school enrolment, enforcing support — the decision must be recognised by the STJ.

How I can help

Recognition of foreign judgments An action before the Superior Court of Justice (STJ) for contested divorces or judgments that decided on custody, support, property division or other matters. Direct recording of a divorce A purely consensual foreign divorce can be recorded straight at the civil registry, without an STJ action (CNJ Provimento 149/2023). Guidance on documents Hague apostille, sworn translation, certificate of finality and power of attorney — what you need and how to get it.

From first contact to an updated certificate

01 Reading the case You send me the judgment and describe your situation. I confirm which procedure applies 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.

Recent articles

20/07/2026 Direct recording or STJ recognition? How to tell which applies to you A purely consensual divorce goes straight to the registry. A divorce with children, support, property or a dispute needs the STJ. A guide to identifying your route. 15/06/2026 What recognition of a foreign judgment is, and when you need it A decision made outside Brazil does not apply here automatically. Learn what recognition is, who decides it and when it is mandatory.

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