Imagine a country with extensive biodiversity, friendly locals, and delicious cuisine. Then look no further; that country is Brazil. This huge South American nation is home to over 210 million people, including 1.3 million expats, across 26 states. Like other countries, Brazil offers expats the possibility of getting citizenship after a minimum stay, with reduced times for foreigners who marry Brazilian citizens.
Expats married to Brazilians may be eligible for a Brazilian passport by marriage if they meet specific requirements, such as establishing permanent residence in the country and submitting the necessary documentation. Once these criteria are met, Brazil’s passport grants its holders numerous privileges, including visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to around 160 countries, encompassing all of Mercosur, as well as the right to reside in an economically growing nation like Brazil.
In this article, you’ll find out how to get Brazilian citizenship by marriage, including the required documents, step-by-step instructions, and the expected timeline.
Foreigners can acquire Brazilian citizenship by marriage in just one year of residence, thanks to Article 66 of the Migration Law, which shortens the usual naturalization period from four years for spouses or parents of Brazilian nationals
The Brazilian constitution contemplates two ways of acquiring citizenship: birth or naturalization. If they are from Portuguese-speaking countries, foreigners can obtain naturalization after residing in Brazil for one year and demonstrating good moral conduct. Otherwise, they must remain residents for fifteen years. So, you might wonder how to get Brazilian citizenship by marriage.
Thankfully, the Migration Law allows foreigners to get citizenship in a shorter timeframe. Article 65 outlines the requirements needed for ordinary naturalization, including having the legal capacity, speaking Portuguese, having no criminal record, and residing in Brazil for a minimum of four years. However, if you’re married to a Brazilian (or have had a kid in Brazil), according to Article 66, the typical 4-year requirement can be shortened to just one year!
Marrying a Brazilian is one of the quickest routes to obtaining a Brazilian passport, but there are other requirements you need to meet when becoming a Brazilian citizen through marriage:
Proof of Legal Marriage to a Brazilian Citizen: You must show valid documentation, such as a marriage certificate, to prove that your relationship with your spouse is genuine. Additional evidence, from shared bank accounts to rental contracts including both spouses’ names, could further demonstrate the authenticity of the marriage.
Residing in Brazil for 1 Year After Marriage: You can apply for a spousal visa, also known as Family Reunion - VITEM XI, to get residency in Brazil as the spouse of a Brazilian citizen. This permit will allow you to live, work, and study in the country freely.
Demonstrating Ties to Brazil: You must also demonstrate ties to Brazil, including fluency in Portuguese and integration into society. Official exams like CAPLE may be a good way to prove that you can speak the language.
To apply for Brazilian citizenship by marriage, you must submit all required documents and ensure all foreign documents are properly translated, legalized, or apostilled
Once you meet the requirements to get Brazilian citizenship by marriage, it’s also important to gather the necessary documents to apply for citizenship correctly:
Completed naturalization application form.
Copy of a valid identity document (passport or equivalent).
Proof of residence in Brazil for the required period (at least one year).
Criminal record certificate from Brazil and the country of origin.
Proof of civil capacity, according to Brazilian law.
Proof of Portuguese language proficiency.
Marriage certificate, translated if in another language.
Copy of the National Migration Registry (RNE) or protocol.
Apart from all these documents, don’t forget to translate, legalize, or apostille the documents if necessary. Also, ensure that you gather sufficient evidence to prove the genuineness of your marriage, such as rental agreements that include both spouses’ names or shared bank accounts.
To get Brazilian citizenship by marriage, register your marriage, obtain permanent residency, live in Brazil for one year, submit your application with required documents, and take an oath once approved
After gathering all the documents, it’s time to show you the steps to apply for Brazilian citizenship. It may be a bit long, but if you follow these steps carefully, you’ll be on your way to getting one of the strongest passports in Latin America and the world:
Register Your Marriage in Brazil: If you are married outside Brazil, you must first register your marriage with the Brazilian consulate in the country where the marriage took place, which will recognize it in Brazil.
Apply for Permanent Residency: Before applying for citizenship, you must get a Brazilian permanent visa through marriage. This step involves applying for a spousal visa, entering Brazil, registering with the Federal Police, and obtaining your CPF (tax ID) and RNE (National Foreigner Registry).
Reside in Brazil for One Year: Upon obtaining your residency, you must live in Brazil for at least one year with your Brazilian spouse.
Prepare Required Documents: Gather all the documents listed in the previous section, and if necessary, translate and legalize them.
Submit Naturalization Application: File your application for ordinary naturalization with the Brazilian immigration authorities.
Wait for Processing: The naturalization process may take up to 15 months. During this time, you may be asked to provide additional documents or attend interviews. To keep track of your application, you can go to this website and click “Acompanhar Pedido em Andamento.” You can provide your CPF to access.
Take Oath of Allegiance: If your application is approved, you’ll be required to take an oath of allegiance to Brazil.
Receive your Naturalization Certificate: Once the process is complete, you’ll receive your naturalization certificate, officially making you a Brazilian citizen.
The timeline and cost of obtaining Brazilian citizenship by marriage may vary depending on your situation. For instance, considering your mandatory year of residency in Brazil and the various months your application must be processed, it may take a couple of years. The costs also depend on the documentation you may need to get or translate.
The Brazilian passport is one of the strongest in the world, with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to almost 160 countries. You can have access to all of South America and the Schengen Area, as well as countries like Japan, the UAE, and Russia. Apart from all this travel mobility, you can also enjoy easier access to essential services like banking, driver’s licenses, real estate purchase, public education and healthcare. Finally, don’t forget that Brazilian citizens can have dual citizenship, so you’ll likely be able to keep your original passport!
Brazilian citizenship by marriage offers a fast-track route to naturalization after just one year of residency, provided you prove a genuine relationship, meet legal requirements, and submit the proper documents
Obtaining Brazilian citizenship by marriage offers a faster path to naturalization, reducing the standard 4-year residency requirement to just one year. However, note that you’ll also need to meet other criteria to obtain citizenship, including proving a genuine relationship, demonstrating ties to Brazil, and showing Portuguese language proficiency.
The process to apply for Brazilian citizenship involves registering the marriage, obtaining permanent residency, living in Brazil for one year with your spouse, and submitting a naturalization application. Required documents include a completed application form, proof of residency, and criminal record certificates. Lastly, the Brazilian passport comes with multiple travel and lifestyle benefits, from visa-free access to numerous countries and the opportunity to call Brazil your new home.
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