Official Document Translation & Legalisation Map

Interactive index of country-specific requirements for certified translations, sworn translations, apostilles, and consular legalization for official submissions worldwide.

Simple World Map Author: Al MacDonald Editor: Fritz Lekschas License: CC BY-SA 3.0 ID: ISO 3166-1 or "_[a-zA-Z]" if an ISO code is not available

Translation Standard

Sworn Translator
Certified Translation
Notarised Translation
Not mapped yet

Brazil

Sworn translation standard

Requirements Summary

Apostille required
Required for foreign public documents before sworn translation
Who can translate
Public sworn translator registered with a Brazilian Junta Comercial
Accepted languages
Portuguese
Legalization agency
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Itamaraty)
Important: Foreign public documents must be apostilled or consularly legalised before being translated by a sworn translator in Brazil.

Detailed Guidelines

Who can translate

In Brazil, legally valid translations (traduções juramentadas) must be performed by a tradutor público juramentado, officially registered with the Junta Comercial of a Brazilian state. To become a sworn translator, individuals must pass a public examination (concurso público). Only natural persons—not companies—may be appointed.

What makes a translation official

A sworn translation must include:
  • The translator’s official stamp and registration number
  • Signature or initials on each page
  • A declaration of accuracy
  • Reference to the translator’s official record book maintained at the Junta Comercial
  • Although translators are registered at state level, sworn translations are valid nationwide across Brazil.

    Documents from abroad

    Public documents issued abroad must first be apostilled under the Hague Convention or consularly legalised before being translated in Brazil. The apostille or legalisation does not replace the requirement for sworn translation.

    Legal basis

    Sworn translators in Brazil are regulated by federal commercial registration rules administered through the Department of Business Registration and Integration (DREI) under the Ministry of Development, Industry, Commerce and Services. Registration is carried out at state level via the Juntas Comerciais.