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Second copy of birth certificate in Brazil: How to request online and from abroad with legal certainty

Find out how to request a second copy of your birth certificate in Brazil, including from abroad, with up-to-date practical and legal guidance.

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Living Abroad
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Se você mora no exterior e precisa atualizar seus documentos brasileiros, é muito provável que já tenha se deparado com a necessidade de emitir uma segunda via da certidão de nascimento no Brasil. Esse é um dos documentos mais exigidos em processos legais, tanto no Brasil quanto fora do país.

A dificuldade, no entanto, começa quando você percebe que não está fisicamente no Brasil para resolver isso. A boa notícia é que existem caminhos seguros, legais e eficientes para obter sua certidão de nascimento atualizada, mesmo à distância.

What is a duplicate birth certificate and when is it needed?

A segunda via da certidão de nascimento é uma nova emissão oficial do seu registro civil, contendo todas as informações atualizadas do cartório onde o nascimento foi registrado.

Embora a certidão não tenha um prazo de validade legal, muitas instituições exigem uma versão recente, geralmente emitida nos últimos 90 dias, para garantir autenticidade e atualidade das informações.

Main situations in which an updated certificate is required

  • Marriage processes in Brazil or abroad
  • Divorce or regularization of marital status
  • Foreign citizenship applications
  • Inventories and sharing of assets
  • Legal proceedings in Brazil
  • Approval of a foreign judgment

If you are experiencing any of these situations, it is highly recommended to ensure that you have a recent and valid certificate.

Common difficulties for those abroad

Despite the options available, many Brazilians face practical obstacles, such as:

  • Lack of correct information from the registry office
  • Errors in the original record
  • Difficulty with international payment
  • Long shipping time
  • Additional requirements for use abroad

These situations can delay important processes and generate unnecessary additional costs.

Apostille: when it is necessary

If the certificate will be used outside Brazil, it may be necessary to carry out apostille in accordance with the Hague Apostille Convention.

This procedure authenticates the Brazilian document so that it is valid in other signatory countries.

Sworn translation: when will it be required

If the certificate is presented in another country whose language is not Portuguese, it will be necessary to carry out a sworn translation.

This type of translation is legally valid and can only be carried out by authorized public translators.

In many cases, the correct order is:

  1. Issue the updated certificate
  2. Carry out the apostille
  3. Provide sworn translation

Following this sequence avoids rework and duplicate costs.

How a lawyer can help with this process

For Brazilians abroad, having legal advice can make all the difference.

A specialized lawyer can:

  • Identify the correct registry office
  • Request documents in your name
  • Correct any errors in the registry
  • Guidance on apostille and translation
  • Integrate this process with other legal demands

If you need to resolve this safely and quickly, contact our team for personalized guidance.

Frequently asked questions about duplicate birth certificates

5 direct answers — tap to open

It does not have a defined legal validity, but many institutions require a recently issued version, generally up to 90 days old.


Yes. It is possible to request online in Brazil. Our office can help you right now!


It depends on the country where the document will be used. Countries that are party to the Hague Apostille Convention require apostille.


Yes, when the document will be presented in a country that does not use Portuguese as its official language.


The deadline varies depending on the registry office and the form of request, and can take from a few days to a few weeks.

Conclusion

Solicitar a segunda via da certidão de nascimento no Brasil é um processo essencial para diversos momentos da vida civil, especialmente para quem vive no exterior.

Com planejamento, informação correta e, quando necessário, suporte jurídico especializado, é possível evitar atrasos e garantir que seus documentos estejam prontos para qualquer demanda legal, seja no Brasil ou fora dele.

Keeping your documentation up to date is a fundamental step towards your legal security and peace of mind in international processes.

Dr. Gabriela Bozzo

Written and reviewed by

Founder · International Family Law

OAB/SP 430.180

Conteúdo jurídico institucional produzido com base na legislação brasileira vigente, jurisprudência atualizada e ampla experiência em casos reais. Publicado conforme o Código de Ética e Disciplina da OAB e o Provimento 205/2021.