Brazil · Americas
Itamaraty Legalization
Direct submission and processing through the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Itamaraty) for documents that have completed prior authentication steps at state level.
Itamaraty legalization is the critical federal step in the Brazilian authentication chain, confirming that your document has been properly verified by Brazilian authorities and is eligible for international use. Green Apple Attest coordinates Itamaraty submissions from the UAE, ensuring your documents meet the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' strict formatting and procedural requirements.
Itamaraty — the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs — serves as the federal legalization authority for Brazilian documents intended for use abroad. This step follows Cartorio notarization and confirms at the national level that the document is genuine and properly authenticated within Brazil. Without the Itamaraty stamp, UAE authorities will not accept Brazilian documents regardless of what other authentication steps have been completed.
Itamaraty operates regional offices across Brazil, each with its own processing procedures and turnaround times. The Brasilia headquarters handles the highest volume, while offices in Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and other major cities provide regional access. Knowing which office to use, what format they require, and how to navigate their submission procedures is essential for avoiding delays.
Green Apple Attest manages Itamaraty submissions as a core part of our Brazilian document authentication service. We ensure your document arrives at the correct Itamaraty office in the required format, with all prior authentication steps (Cartorio notarization, state-level verification where needed) properly completed. Our team tracks processing, follows up on any queries from the Ministry, and arranges immediate next steps once the legalization stamp is applied.
This service is for clients who have already completed the Cartorio notarization step and need focused assistance with the Itamaraty legalization specifically, or for those whose documents have been rejected at this stage and need expert intervention to resolve the issue.
Documents required
- 01 Brazilian document with completed Cartorio notarization (reconhecimento de firma or autenticacao)
- 02 Clear photocopy of your valid passport and CPF
- 03 Completed Green Apple Attest service request form
- 04 Authorization letter (procuracao) granting Green Apple Attest permission to submit the document to Itamaraty
- 05 Previous rejection notice from Itamaraty (if resubmitting a previously rejected document)
Special requirements
- § Documents that have been altered, corrected, or amended after initial issuance may require a fresh Cartorio verification of the amendments before Itamaraty will accept them for legalization.
How it works
- 01 Submit your Cartorio-notarized document to Green Apple Attest with confirmation of the prior authentication steps completed.
- 02 We verify that all Cartorio stamps and notarizations are in the format Itamaraty requires and identify the correct regional Itamaraty office.
- 03 Green Apple Attest submits the document to Itamaraty through our authorized representatives in Brazil.
- 04 We track processing and respond to any queries or requests for additional information from the Ministry.
- 05 The legalized document is collected from Itamaraty and shipped to your UAE address or forwarded for the next step in the authentication chain.
Insider tips
Frequently asked questions
Itamaraty operates offices in Brasilia, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and several other cities. The correct office depends on the issuing state of your document and processing volume considerations. Green Apple Attest selects the optimal office based on current turnaround times and your document's origin.
Standard Itamaraty processing takes 5-15 business days depending on the office and current volume. Some offices offer expedited processing for an additional fee. Green Apple Attest provides a current timeline estimate for your specific submission.
The most common causes are incomplete Cartorio notarization, documents that lack required signatures, formatting that does not match Itamaraty standards, and documents from Cartorios whose registrations have lapsed. Green Apple Attest pre-screens every document to catch these issues before submission.
Yes. Itamaraty legalizes documents from all 26 Brazilian states and the Federal District, provided the prior Cartorio notarization is properly completed. The document does not need to be submitted to an Itamaraty office in the same state where it was issued.
They serve a similar purpose but are technically distinct. Brazil issues apostilles for Hague Convention member countries. For UAE-bound documents, the traditional Itamaraty legalization route is commonly required. Green Apple Attest confirms which form of authentication your UAE authority accepts.
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Tell us what you're working toward. We'll map every stamp.
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