Shipping documents safely from Brazil abroad
The corridor's reverse flow: the Brazilian certificate bound for Europe or Japan. The mirrored rule applies equally — the apostille happens IN Brazil, before departure — and replacement via the CRC is so easy that a Brazilian loss hurts less than any other. Even so: track it.
Before shipping: apostilling cartório and scanner
The Brazilian apostille comes from any authorised cartório (CNJ), on the spot, on the RECENT certificate (destinations require issuance within 6-12 months — apostilling the 1990 heirloom is shipping a document that will be refused). Digitise certificate + apostille before the envelope; the Brazilian apostille's QR allows online verification — a trump card of the national system.
The shipping options
- Plain letter — no.
- Registered international mail (Correios) — trackable, 2-6 weeks depending on the destination: the acceptable minimum.
- Courier (DHL/FedEx/UPS) — 2-5 days to Europe/Japan, full tracking, insurance: the standard for proceedings.
- A bearer — the Brazil-Lisbon/Madrid/Milan/Tokyo air bridges are full of trustworthy people; use one when it exists.
The package
Rigid envelope, plastic inside, the destination's complete address (with local postal code and phone), the declaration “personal documents, no commercial value” — and mind the recipient: European proceedings sometimes require delivery to the lawyer/representative, not the body; confirm the right address with whoever runs the proceeding there.
If it goes missing
A new copy via the CRC (from anywhere, online), a new apostille on the spot, a new shipment — the Brazilian replacement cycle is measured in days, the corridor's best. What cannot be replaced is a lost proceeding deadline: track it, and for critical dates, courier always.
Frequently asked questions
Do I apostille the certificate and the translation?+
The certificate, always, in Brazil. The translation depends on the destination: Italy wants a translation made/validated there; Portugal wants no translation at all; others accept the apostilled Brazilian sworn translation (then yes, double apostille). The apostille guide details the order.
Does the courier ask for ID/documents to ship papers?+
It asks for the sender's identification and the content declaration — routine. Personal documents leave Brazil without restriction; all the care is on the arrival side (the right address and recipient).
Informative content about request procedures. We do not cover citizenship or visa eligibility. Rules and amounts may change; always confirm before acting.