FCDO e-Apostille for Brazil: Solicitor Certification

Do you need to use a UK document in Brazil?

Ginkgo Advisory provides solicitor verification, enhanced solicitor certification and FCDO apostille services for Brazil.

We assist with UK educational, company, court and personal documents. For urgent cases, our express e-Apostille option may take a few hours to one working day.

However, completion depends on verification, submission times and FCDO processing.

UK Documents for Use in Brazil

Brazil and the United Kingdom use the Hague Apostille system.

Therefore, an eligible UK document can normally receive an FCDO apostille instead of further legalisation by the Brazilian Embassy or Consulate.

Brazilian official guidance states that a foreign document which needs to take effect in Brazil must carry an apostille or the correct consular legalisation. Brazil accepts both physical and electronic foreign documents when they meet the relevant apostille and translation rules.

Before starting, ask the Brazilian recipient whether it needs:

• an original or certified copy
• an e-Apostille or paper apostille
• separate apostilles for each document
• a Portuguese sworn translation
• one combined legalised PDF
• a recently issued document

These checks can prevent delays and extra costs.

Which UK Documents Can We Prepare?

Our solicitor can review many UK documents.

Educational documents

• Degree Certificates
• Academic Transcripts
• Diploma Supplements
• Higher Education Achievement Reports
• university letters
• school certificates
• professional qualifications

Company documents

• Certificates of Incorporation
• Companies House documents
• Articles of Association
• board resolutions
• shareholder resolutions
• powers of attorney
• commercial agreements

Court and legal documents

• Final Orders
• Decrees Absolute
• court orders
• judgments
• consent orders
• probate documents
• legal declarations

Personal documents

• certified passport copies
• proof of address
• employment letters
• consent forms
• statutory declarations
• professional certificates
• ACRO Police Certificates
• DBS certificates

The correct route depends on the document and its intended use in Brazil.

What Is Solicitor Certification?

Solicitor certification is a formal statement signed by a UK solicitor.

For example, the solicitor may confirm that a copy matches the original document.

Basic wording often states:

“I certify that this is a true copy of the original document.”

This statement may meet a simple certified-copy request. However, it does not confirm that the issuing organisation created a genuine document.

Therefore, a Brazilian university, employer, court or public authority may ask for stronger proof.

What Is Enhanced Solicitor Certification?

Enhanced solicitor certification goes beyond basic true-copy wording.

First, our solicitor checks the document through a reliable source. The source may include a university, Companies House, a court record or an official online system.

Next, we prepare stronger wording, such as:

“I further certify that I have verified the authenticity of this document with the issuing institution.”

As a result, the Brazilian recipient receives both a certified copy and confirmation of the source check.

Solicitor Verification and Certification

Verification and certification are separate steps.

Verification means checking the document with its issuing source.

Certification means issuing the formal solicitor statement after that check.

For educational documents, we may use:

• direct university confirmation
• HEDD
• Gradintelligence
• Digitary
• Parchment
• an official university portal
• a secure document-sharing service

Meanwhile, company checks may involve Companies House records.

Court-document checks can include the seal, case number, court email or official issue record.

Afterwards, our solicitor prepares and signs the certificate.

What Does the FCDO Apostille Confirm?

The FCDO checks whether the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal matches its records. It then issues an apostille when the document meets the legalisation rules.

UK qualification certificates, contracts, powers of attorney and certified document copies may receive legalisation after certification by a UK solicitor or notary.

However, an apostille does not confirm every fact inside the document.

For this reason, enhanced solicitor certification can add an important extra step.

The legalisation chain may look like this:

Source verification → enhanced solicitor certification → solicitor electronic signature → FCDO apostille

Together, these stages create a clear document trail for use in Brazil.

FCDO e-Apostille for Brazil

The FCDO offers paper apostilles and e-Apostilles.

For the electronic route, a UK solicitor or notary must electronically sign the PDF. Once completed, the legalised file can be downloaded and shared digitally.

Our solicitor’s electronic signature is registered with the FCDO for e-Apostille purposes.

Consequently, we can prepare eligible PDFs for electronic legalisation.

Brazilian guidance confirms that foreign physical or electronic documents can be accepted when they carry the required apostille and Portuguese translation. Nevertheless, the specific Brazilian recipient should confirm that its filing system accepts a UK e-Apostille.

Ask whether the recipient accepts:

• a UK FCDO e-Apostille
• an electronically signed PDF
• a printed version of the digital file
• a paper apostille attached to an original

A paper apostille may work better when the authority requires a physical document.

Express e-Apostille Service for Brazil

Straightforward cases may take a few hours to one working day when:

• the document is clear and complete
• verification has finished
• the PDF qualifies for an e-Apostille
• payment has arrived
• the FCDO requires no extra checks

However, the FCDO may take longer when it needs to verify a signature or review the document further.

Therefore, urgent clients should send the document and the Brazilian recipient’s instructions as early as possible.

Educational Documents for Brazil

UK educational documents may support:

• admission to a Brazilian university
• postgraduate study
• employment
• diploma revalidation
• professional registration
• teaching applications
• research positions
• immigration matters

Common documents include a Degree Certificate and Academic Transcript.

A Degree Certificate confirms the award. In contrast, an Academic Transcript lists subjects, grades, credits and study dates.

However, an apostille does not decide the Brazilian value of a UK qualification.

The applicant may also need:

• diploma revalidation
• postgraduate degree recognition
• direct university verification
• course details
• a Portuguese sworn translation
• separate apostilles

Carolina Bori Diploma Revalidation

The Carolina Bori Platform is Brazil’s official federal system for validating qualifications obtained abroad.

Applicants can use it to:

• revalidate an overseas undergraduate degree
• recognise a master’s degree obtained abroad
• recognise a doctorate obtained abroad

The process can support employment, further study and proof of academic qualifications in Brazil.

For undergraduate revalidation, applicants may need documents such as:

• an authenticated Degree Certificate
• a complete Academic Transcript
• the course curriculum
• details of the university and programme

Postgraduate recognition may also require a thesis or dissertation, defence records and study history.

Therefore, apostille and diploma recognition serve different purposes:

The apostille confirms the relevant signature or seal.

The Carolina Bori process assesses the academic qualification for use in Brazil.

UK Degree Verification for Brazil

A basic certified copy may not satisfy every Brazilian recipient.

For stronger proof, our solicitor can verify a UK qualification where the university provides a reliable route.

The process may include:

• reviewing the Degree Certificate
• checking the Academic Transcript
• using an official verification platform
• contacting the university
• preparing enhanced certification
• electronically signing the PDF
• arranging the FCDO apostille

This process records how we checked the qualification.

However, it does not replace Carolina Bori revalidation or recognition where the recipient requires a formal academic decision.

Professional Qualifications in Brazil

Brazil regulates many professions through separate councils and public bodies.

Applicants may need further approval before working as:

• doctors
• nurses
• dentists
• pharmacists
• lawyers
• architects
• engineers
• teachers
• accountants

The relevant Brazilian authority may request:

• a Degree Certificate
• an Academic Transcript
• course descriptions
• proof of UK registration
• professional experience
• apostilled documents
• Portuguese sworn translations
• Brazilian diploma recognition

Therefore, obtain the regulator’s written checklist before arranging certification.

Company Documents for Brazil

UK company documents may support:

• registering a Brazilian subsidiary
• opening a corporate bank account
• foreign investment
• commercial contracts
• tenders
• court proceedings
• tax matters
• proving directors or shareholders
• appointing a Brazilian representative

Official Companies House certificates may qualify for direct FCDO legalisation.

However, company-created documents usually need solicitor certification first.

Examples include:

• board resolutions
• shareholder resolutions
• company powers of attorney
• registers of directors
• registers of members
• authorised signatory letters
• commercial agreements

Brazilian company requirements may vary between registries, banks, notaries and lawyers.

Therefore, request a document checklist before starting.

Court Documents for Brazil

UK court documents may need legalisation for:

• divorce matters
• probate
• inheritance
• civil claims
• family proceedings
• debt enforcement
• commercial disputes

Examples include:

• Final Orders
• Decrees Absolute
• court judgments
• consent orders
• Grants of Probate
• Letters of Administration

The correct route depends on the document format.

For example, a court document with a wet-ink court seal may qualify for direct paper legalisation.

By contrast, an electronic court document may need solicitor verification and certification first.

Because Brazilian court and registry rules may vary, confirm the required format with the Brazilian court, lawyer, notary or registry office.

Does Brazil Require a Portuguese Translation?

In general, yes.

Brazilian official guidance states that foreign documents which need to take effect in Brazil must normally be accompanied by a Portuguese translation completed in Brazil by a registered public or sworn translator.

This rule can apply even when the original document is in English.

A sworn translation is known in Brazil as a:

tradução juramentada

Before arranging the translation, ask whether the recipient requires:

• translation of the full document
• translation of the solicitor certificate
• translation of the apostille
• translation of all annexes
• a translator registered with a Brazilian Commercial Board
• both the original and translated documents

Usually, applicants complete the apostille first. Afterwards, the Brazilian sworn translator translates the full legalised document.

Immigration and Residence Documents

UK documents may support Brazilian visa, residence and immigration procedures.

Examples include:

• police certificates
• birth certificates
• marriage certificates
• divorce documents
• educational records
• employment letters
• company documents

Brazil’s Federal Police states that foreign documents generally need legalisation or an apostille. In addition, they normally need a Portuguese translation by a sworn translator in Brazil.

However, specific agreements may create limited exceptions for certain countries or procedures.

Therefore, follow the checklist for the relevant Brazilian visa or residence application.

Documents That Need a Paper Apostille

The FCDO does not issue an e-Apostille for certain document types.

Examples include:

• UK birth certificates
• marriage certificates
• death certificates
• civil partnership certificates
• adoption certificates
• ACRO Police Certificates
• DBS certificates
• fingerprint certificates
• ACCA membership certificates

These documents normally require a paper apostille.

In addition, a Brazilian authority may request a physical document even when the FCDO offers an electronic route.

Separate or Combined Apostilles?

Several related documents can sometimes form one certified PDF.

However, this approach does not suit every Brazilian application.

Separate apostilles may work better when:

• the Degree Certificate and Transcript have different uses
• the Carolina Bori process requires separate files
• each document will go to a different authority
• the recipient requests individual apostilles
• the documents come from different issuers

GOV.UK advises applicants to check whether the recipient wants one apostille for a group of documents or a separate apostille for each document.

Our Process

Step 1: Send the Document

Send us a clear PDF of the UK document.

Step 2: Provide the Brazilian Requirements

Include any instructions from the Brazilian authority, university, employer, court, bank, lawyer or company.

Step 3: Check Whether an Apostille Is Needed

We first review whether the recipient requires legalisation.

Step 4: Select the Correct Route

Next, we check whether the document needs an e-Apostille or paper apostille.

Step 5: Verify the Document

Where possible, our solicitor checks the document with its issuing source.

Step 6: Prepare Enhanced Certification

We draft the correct wording and apply the solicitor’s electronic signature.

Step 7: Arrange the FCDO Apostille

Our team then submits the document through the suitable FCDO route.

Step 8: Send the Completed Document

Finally, we provide the completed legalised document.

The Brazilian recipient can verify a UK paper or electronic apostille online using its issue date and apostille number.

Need an Apostille for Brazil?

Send Ginkgo Advisory:

• a copy of the UK document
• its intended use in Brazil
• the name of the Brazilian recipient
• any written requirements
• your required completion date

We will check whether an apostille is necessary and confirm the suitable verification, certification and legalisation route.

Eligible express e-Apostille cases may take a few hours to one working day, subject to document checks and FCDO processing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Brazil accept an FCDO apostille?

Yes. Brazil uses the Hague Apostille system. Therefore, an eligible UK document with an FCDO apostille should not need further Brazilian consular legalisation.

Does Brazil accept an FCDO e-Apostille?

Brazilian guidance allows foreign physical or electronic documents when they carry the correct apostille and translation. However, you should confirm that the specific Brazilian recipient accepts a UK digital PDF.

Is true-copy certification enough?

It depends on the purpose. Some Brazilian recipients may also want confirmation that the solicitor checked the document with its issuer.

Can you verify a UK Degree Certificate?

Yes, where the university provides a reliable verification route.

Does an apostille replace Carolina Bori recognition?

No. An apostille authenticates the relevant signature or seal. The Carolina Bori process revalidates or recognises the foreign academic qualification in Brazil.

Can you apostille an Academic Transcript?

Yes. We can review, verify and certify eligible Academic Transcripts before arranging the FCDO apostille.

Does Brazil require a Portuguese translation?

Usually, yes. Foreign documents that need to take effect in Brazil generally require a Portuguese translation by a sworn translator registered in Brazil.

Can an ACRO Police Certificate receive an e-Apostille?

No. An ACRO Police Certificate must use the FCDO paper apostille route.

Can several documents share one apostille?

Sometimes. However, the Brazilian recipient may request a separate apostille for each document.