Select a visa category below to find the visa issuance fee, number of entries, and validity period for visas issued to applicants from this country*/area of authority.
Visa Classification: The type of nonimmigrant visa you are applying for.
Fee: The reciprocity fee, also known as the visa issuance fee, you must pay. This fee is in addition to the nonimmigrant visa application fee (MRV fee).
Number of Entries: The number of times you may seek entry into the United States with that visa. "M" means multiple times. If there is a number, such as "One", you may apply for entry one time with that visa.
Validity Period: This generally means the visa is valid, or can be used, from the date it is issued until the date it expires, for travel with that visa. If your Validity Period is 60 months, your visa will be valid for 60 months from the date it is issued.
| Visa Classification |
Fee | Number of Entries |
Validity Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| A-1 | None | Multiple | 36 Months |
| A-2 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| A-3 1 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| B-1 | None | Multiple | 120 Months |
| B-2 | None | Multiple | 120 Months |
| B-1/B-2 | None | Multiple | 120 Months |
| C-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| C-1/D | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| C-2 | None | One | 3 Months |
| C-3 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| C-W-1 11 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| C-W-2 11 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| D | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| E-1 2 | No Treaty | N/A | N/A |
| E-2 2 | No Treaty | N/A | N/A |
| E-2C 12 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| F-1 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| F-2 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| G-1 | None | Multiple | 36 Months |
| G-2 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| G-3 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| G-4 | None | Multiple | 36 Months |
| G-5 1 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| H-1B | None | Multiple | 24 Months 3 |
| H-1C | $85.00 | Multiple | 24 Months 3 |
| H-2A | $85.00 | Multiple | 24 Months 3 |
| H-2B | $85.00 | Multiple | 24 Months 3 |
| H-2R | $85.00 | Multiple | 24 Months 3 |
| H-3 | $85.00 | Multiple | 24 Months 3 |
| H-4 | None | Multiple | 24 Months 3 |
| I | None | Multiple | 44 Months |
| J-1 4 | $102 | Multiple | 24 Months |
| J-2 4 | $102 | Multiple | 24 Months |
| K-1 | None | One | 6 Months |
| K-2 | None | One | 6 Months |
| K-3 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| K-4 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| L-1 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| L-2 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| M-1 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| M-2 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| N-8 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| N-9 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| NATO 1-7 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| O-1 | None | Multiple | 12 Months 3 |
| O-2 | None | Multiple | 12 Months 3 |
| O-3 | None | Multiple | 12 Months 3 |
| P-1 | None | Multiple | 12 Months 3 |
| P-2 | None | Multiple | 12 Months 3 |
| P-3 | None | Multiple | 12 Months 3 |
| P-4 | None | Multiple | 12 Months 3 |
| Q-1 6 | None | Multiple | 3 Months 3 |
| R-1 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| R-2 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| S-5 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| S-6 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| S-7 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| T-1 9 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| T-2 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-3 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-4 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-5 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-6 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-D 5 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| U-1 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-2 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-3 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-4 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-5 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| V-1 | None | Multiple | 120 Months |
| V-2 | None | Multiple | 120 Months 8 |
| V-3 | None | Multiple | 120 Months 8 |
Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.
The validity of A-3, G-5, and NATO 7 visas may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the person who is employing the applicant. The "employer" would have one of the following visa classifications:
An E-1 and E-2 visa may be issued only to a principal alien who is a national of a country having a treaty, or its equivalent, with the United States. E-1 and E-2 visas may not be issued to a principal alien if he/she is a stateless resident or national of a country without a treaty. *When the spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 principal alien are accorded derivative E-1 or E-2 status and are themselves a national of a country that does not have a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the principal alien’s country of nationality should be used. **Spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 visa principal applicant, where the spouse and children are also nationals of a country that has a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the spouse and children’s country of nationality should be used.
*Example 1: John Doe is a national of Country A that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country B which has no treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the same reciprocity as John Doe, the principal visa holder.
**Example 2: Mike Doe is a national of Country Y that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country Z that also has a treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the reciprocity issued to nationals of Country Z.
The validity of H-1 through H-3, O-1 and O-2, P-1 through P-3, and Q visas may not exceed the period of validity of the approved petition or the number of months shown, whichever is less.
Under 8 CFR §214.2, H-2A and H-2B petitions may generally only be approved for nationals of countries that the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated as participating countries. The current list of eligible countries is available on USCIS's website for both H-2A and H-2B visas. Nationals of countries not on this list may be the beneficiary of an approved H-2A or H2-B petition in limited circumstances at the discretion of the Department of Homeland Security if specifically named on the petition.
Derivative H-4, L-2, O-3, and P-4 visas, issued to accompanying or following-to-join spouses and children, may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the principal alien.
There is no reciprocity fee for the issuance of a J visa if the alien is a United States Government grantee or a participant in an exchange program sponsored by the United States Government.
Also, there is no reciprocity fee for visa issuance to an accompanying or following-to-join spouse or child (J-2) of an exchange visitor grantee or participant.
In addition, an applicant is eligible for an exemption from the MRV fee if he or she is participating in a State Department, USAID, or other federally funded educational and cultural exchange program (program serial numbers G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-7).
However, all other applicants with U.S. Government sponsorships, including other J-visa applicants, are subject to the MRV processing fee.
Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadian and Mexican nationals coming to engage in certain types of professional employment in the United States may be admitted in a special nonimmigrant category known as the "trade NAFTA" or "TN" category. Their dependents (spouse and children) accompanying or following to join them may be admitted in the "trade dependent" or "TD" category whether or not they possess Canadian or Mexican nationality. Except as noted below, the number of entries, fees and validity for non-Canadian or non-Mexican family members of a TN status holder seeking TD visas should be based on the reciprocity schedule of the TN principal alien.
Since Canadian nationals generally are exempt from visa requirement, a Canadian "TN' or "TD" alien does not require a visa to enter the United States. However, the non-Canadian national dependent of a Canadian "TN", unless otherwise exempt from the visa requirement, must obtain a "TD" visa before attempting to enter the United States. The standard reciprocity fee and validity period for all non-Canadian "TD"s is no fee, issued for multiple entries for a period of 36 months, or for the duration of the principal alien's visa and/or authorized period of stay, whichever is less. See 'NOTE' under Canadian reciprocity schedule regarding applicants of Iranian, Iraqi or Libyan nationality.
Mexican nationals are not visa-exempt. Therefore, all Mexican "TN"s and both Mexican and non-Mexican national "TD"s accompanying or following to join them who are not otherwise exempt from the visa requirement (e.g., the Canadian spouse of a Mexican national "TN") must obtain nonimmigrant visas.
Applicants of Iranian, Iraqi, Libyan, Somalian, Sudanese, Syrian or Yemeni nationality, who have a permanent resident or refugee status in Canada/Mexico, may not be accorded Canadian/Mexican reciprocity, even when applying in Canada/Mexico. The reciprocity fee and period for "TD" applicants from Libya is $10.00 for one entry over a period of 3 months. The Iranian and Iraqi "TD" is no fee with one entry over a period of 3 months.
Q-2 (principal) and Q-3 (dependent) visa categories are in existence as a result of the 'Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998'. However, because the Department anticipates that virtually all applicants for this special program will be either Irish or U.K. nationals, the Q-2 and Q-3 categories have been placed only in the reciprocity schedules for those two countries. Q-2 and Q-3 visas are available only at the Embassy in Dublin and the Consulate General in Belfast.
No S visa may be issued without first obtaining the Department's authorization.
V-2 and V-3 status is limited to persons who have not yet attained their 21st birthday. Accordingly, the period of validity of a V-2 or V-3 visa must be limited to expire on or before the applicant's twenty-first birthday.
Posts may not issue a T-1 visa. A T-1 applicant must be physically present in the United States, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or a U.S. port of entry, where he/she will apply for an adjustment of status to that of a T-1. The following dependents of a T-1 visa holder, however, may be issued a T visa at a U.S. consular office abroad:
The validity of NATO-5 visas may not exceed the period of validity of the employment contract or 12 months, whichever is less.
The validity of CW-1 and CW-2 visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (12 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.
The validity of E-2C visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (24 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.
Available: In all 26 states and the Federal District of Brasilia.
Fees: There are no fees for the first original. For additional copies, variable fees apply.
Document Name:
Issuing Authority: Civil Registry (Cartório de Registro Civil das Pessoas Naturais).
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Certificates vary in form depending on the state where it was issued. There are standard and unabridged versions of birth certificates. Both are acceptable. The extended versions (Certidão de Inteiro Teor and Certidão de Pública Forma) contain the same basic information required in the simplified version as well as more detailed information about the birth and a history of any amendments. Birth certificates may include annotations regarding adoptions or the acquisition of social-affective parents (see comments below).
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title.
Registration Criteria: Variable
Procedure for Obtaining: Available from Civil Registry (Cartório de Registro Civil das Pessoas Naturais). Until recently it was necessary to visit a civil registry office in person or by sending a personal representative in the state where the record is maintained in order to obtain a copy of the document. Now some cartórios may be able to obtain records from other states, although this is not consistent for all documents and for all states in Brazil.
In cases where people have married, divorced, and etc.: to obtain an annotated birth certificate, a person needs to go to a notary (cartório) and request an updated copy of his/her birth certificate. However, the lack of an annotation on the birth certificate does not necessarily mean that the person’s personal status has not changed. Usually, a recently issued birth certificate includes all the amendments and/or annotations of that person’s life events (marriage, divorce, and etc.). That said, in cases where birth certificates lack annotations and/or amendments and have not been updated do not necessarily mean that a particular life event has not occurred.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available
Alternate Documents: Unabridged birth certificates are available (Certidão de Inteiro Teor). Annotated certificates are also available.
Exceptions: None
Comments: Examples of Brazilian civil documents can be found br.usembassy.gov.
Since November 21, 2017, it has been possible to register social-affective parenthood (paternidade ou maternidade socio-afetiva) in the civil register. Any adult, other than a biological grand-parent or sibling, who is over 18 years old and more than 16 years older than the child, may voluntarily register as a mother or father on the basis of having a parent-child relationship based upon “social affection.” It is possible for a child to be registered with the names of up to four parents (two mothers and two fathers). As such, a child may be registered under the name of his/her step-parents, or biological parents, or adoptive parents or under the name of an adult who has declared a bond of social-affective parenthood; any combination of these parents’ names may be used on the certificate. These parents all share identical parental rights, responsibilities, and privileges under Brazilian law, regardless of the basis of the parentage claim.
Because of the new law, it is not possible to determine from standard birth certificates issued after November 21, 2017 whether the listed parents are the biological parents, adoptive parents, or other social-affective parents. To determine this relationship it is necessary to obtain a complete unabridged record (certidao de inteiro teor). This may be obtained from the civil registry office (cartório) where the birth is registered.
Available: In all 26 states and the Federal District of Brasilia.
Fees: There are no fees for the first original. For additional copies, variable fees apply.
Document Name: Death Certificate (Certidão de Óbito)
Issuing Authority: Civil Registry (Cartório de Registro Civil das Pessoas Naturais).
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Certificates vary in form depending on the state where it was issued. Birth and marriage certificates may include annotations regarding the deaths of former spouses.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title
Registration Criteria: Must be issued by a qualified physician
Procedure for Obtaining: Available from Civil Registry (Cartório de Registro Civil das Pessoas Naturais). Until recently it was necessary to visit a civil registry office in person or to send a personal representative in the state where the record is maintained in order to obtain a copy of the document. Now some cartórios may be able to obtain records from other states, although this is not consistent for all documents and for all states in Brazil. In order to have annotated birth and marriage certificates – which may include annotations regarding deaths of former spouses, an applicant needs to go to a notary (cartório) and request a second copy – recently issued –of the birth and/or marriage certificate. If the birth or civil document does not have an annotation, it does not necessarily mean that there have been no deaths.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available
Alternate Documents: An annotated Birth or Marriage Certificate (Certidão de Nascimento or Casamento) indicating the death is acceptable as secondary evidence
Exceptions: None
Comments: Examples of Brazilian civil documents can be found at br.usembassy.gov.
Available in all 26 states and the Federal District of Brasilia.
Fees: Fees are variable.
Document Name: Marriage Certificate (Certidão de Casamento).
Issuing Authority: Civil Registry (Cartório de Registro Civil das Pessoas Naturais).
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Certificates vary in form depending on the state where it was issued. Marriage certificates may include annotations regarding previous marriages, divorces, and deaths of former spouses.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title
Registration Criteria: Applicants must file for the Public Notice License (Edital de Proclamas), which is the document issued by Brazilian notaries when applicants file for a civil marriage license. This document takes up to forty-five days to be issued and is valid for ninety days.
Procedure for Obtaining: Available from Civil Registry (Cartório de Registro Civil das Pessoas Naturais). Until recently it was necessary to visit a civil registry office in person or to send a personal representative in the state where the record is maintained in order to obtain a copy of the document. Now some cartórios may be able to obtain records from other states, although this is not consistent for all documents and for all states in Brazil. In order to obtain an annotated certificate, an applicant needs to go to a notary (cartório) and request a second copy – recently issued –of the marriage certificate. If the document does not have an annotation, it does not necessarily mean that there have been no changes.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available
Alternate Documents: A Stable Union Contract (Contrato de União Estável) registered with the Civil registry (Cartório de Registro Civil das Pessoas Naturais) is considered to be a Common Law marriage in Brazil and is recognized for immigration purposes.
Exceptions: None
Comments: Examples of Brazilian civil documents can be found at br.usembassy.gov.
Same-sex marriage has been legally recognized in Brazil since 2013, and same-sex Stable Unions (Contrato de União Estável) have been legally recognized in Brazil since 2004. A marriage concluded abroad between a Brazilian and a non-Brazilian citizen is valid in Brazil only after it has been registered at a Brazilian Embassy or Consulate located in the country where the marriage took place or at a civil registry office (cartório) in Brazil.
Religious marriages are not valid for immigration purposes unless duly registered in the civil registry office. The registration must be done within 90 days of the religious ceremony. Once properly registered, the marriage is valid for immigration purposes effective as of the date of the religious celebration. Any civil marriage is nullified if one of the spouses is still legally married to another person. It is only possible to re-marry after a divorce once there is no possibility to contest the judge’s order of divorce; the judge’s order must have been “transitado em julgado,” meaning rendered as “passed judgment.”
Common Law Marriages/Stable Union: A Stable Union (Contrato de União Estável) in Brazil is similar in concept to a Common Law Marriage. Similar to marriage, individuals can enter into a stable union (Contrato de União Estável) at any Civil Registry Office (cartorio), which also handles the termination, which is the process equivalent to divorce. The Stable Union (Contrato de União Estável) formalizes the legal relationship of a couple. A certification of a Stable Union (Contrato de União Estável) may be converted into an eventual marriage if the couple desires. For immigration purposes, a Stable Union is equivalent to marriage and confers immigration benefits to the partner.
Available: In all 26 states and the Federal District of Brasilia.
Fees: Fees are variable.
Document Name: Divorce Sentence (Certidão de Sentença or Sentença de Divórcio) from a court.
Issuing Authority: Civil Registry (Cartório de Registro Civil das Pessoas Naturais).
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Certificates vary in form depending on the state where it was issued.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title.
Registration Criteria: The divorce must be enacted by a judge or by a notary.
Procedure for Obtaining: Available from Civil Registry (Cartório de Registro Civil das Pessoas Naturais). Until recently it was necessary to visit a civil registry office in person or to send a personal representative in the state where the record is maintained in order to obtain a copy of the document. Now some cartórios may be able to obtain records from other states, although this is not consistent for all documents and for all states in Brazil. Marriage certificates may include annotations regarding previous marriages, divorces, and deaths of former spouses. In order to have an annotated certificate, an applicant needs to go to a notary (cartório) and request a second copy – recently issued – of the marriage certificate. If the marriage certificate does not have an annotation, it does not necessarily mean that there has not been a divorce or death.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available
Alternate Documents: Divorces may also be obtained by registering at the Civil Registry and procuring a divorce certificate (certidao de divorcio). This is legally valid and equally acceptable as a Certidão de Sentença. In addition to the Divorce Sentence (Certidão de Sentença or Sentença de Divórcio) and the divorce certificate (certidao de divorcio), the original marriage certificate may be annotated as an amendment certifying divorce.
Exceptions: None
Comments: Examples of Brazilian civil documents can be found at br.usembassy.gov.
It is not possible to have a divorce made effective retroactively in order to validate a second marriage which occurred prior to the final divorce decree. Therefore, any civil marriage is nullified if one of the spouses is still legally married to another person.
Divorces occurring outside Brazil are not directly valid for Brazilian citizens in Brazil unless they have been recognized. A marriage of a Brazilian citizen performed abroad can be dissolved by direct divorce proceedings in Brazil or initiated through a process done abroad. If the divorce process occurs abroad, it will only be recognized in Brazil after going through a judicial process of recognition performed by the Brazilian Superior Court. The judicial process is known as “homologação de sentença estrangeira,” which legally recognizes the foreign divorce. To have a divorce recognized in Brazil, it is not necessary to be physically present in the country. The process may be done electronically or through an attorney. The recognized order (sentença homologada) must be presented to the Civil Registry for the divorce to be properly registered and recognized in Brazil.
Legal Separation is a legally distinct status from Divorce. Legal Separation does not end the marriage, just the cohabitation. A Legal Separation may revert back to marriage or be converted to divorce. Once converted, there will be a new effective date, that of the divorce itself, when this occurs. It is not possible to convert a legal separation into a divorce and make the effective date of the divorce retroactive to the date of the legal separation. The parties can only re-marry after the final divorce date.
There is no divorce process for the Stable Union (Contrato de União Estável) Common Law Marriage. However, the contract can be dissolved at any time at the Civil Registry Office.
Available: In all 26 states and the Federal District of Brasilia.
Fees: No fee for the first original. Variable fees apply for additional copies.
Document Name: Adoption Certificate (Decreto deAdoção).
Issuing Authority: Civil Registry (Cartório de Registro Civil das Pessoas Naturais).
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Certificates vary in form depending on the state where it was issued.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title
Registration Criteria: Legal Adoption
Procedure for Obtaining: Documents may be obtained by an applicant or his/her agent at the Civil Registry where the adoption was registered. The request must include the child's name and year of the adoption or registration, the book and page number where the adoption was recorded. Adoption certificates are not available by mail.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents
Exceptions: None
Comments: Adoptions before July 13, 1990 could be done either by a Cartorio (Notary public) – simple adoption, or by a judge – full adoption.
Available: In all 26 states and the Federal District of Brasilia.
Fees: The fees will vary
Document Name: Brazilian ID Card (Carteira de Identidade).
Issuing Authority: Brazilian ID Cards are issued by each state's Department of Public Security (Secretaria de Segurança Pública) or Detran (Departamento Estadual de Transito), depending on the state, to Brazilian citizens.
Resident Alien ID Cards are issued by the Federal Police (Polícia Federal – Ministério Da Justiça E Segurança Pública) to alien lawful residents in Brazil.
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Certificates vary in form depending on the state or issuing authority.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title.
Registration Criteria: Must be a Brazilian citizen
Procedure for Obtaining: Available from each state's Department of Public Security (Secretaria de Segurança Pública) or the Federal Police (Polícia Federal – Ministério Da Justiça E Segurança Pública).
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available
Alternate Documents: Non-Brazilians may obtain a Resident Alien ID Card (Carteira de Identidade para Estrangeiros or Registro Nacional de Estrangeiros (RNE).
Exceptions: None
Comments:
Available: In all 26 states and the Federal District of Brasilia, but only for individuals in Brazil who are 18 years of age or older.
Fees: There are no fees
Document Name: State Police Records (Atestado de Antecedentes Policiais Estaduais, or Certidão de Antecedentes Criminais) and Federal Police Records (Certidão de Antecedentes Criminais).
Issuing Authority: State Police Records are issued by the Department of Public Safety (Secretaria de Segurança Pública). Federal Police Records are issued by the Federal Police (Polícia Federal).
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Certificates vary in form. Each state’s police records are unique.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title.
Registration Criteria: There is no registration criteria
Procedure for Obtaining: State Police Records (Atestado de Bons Antecedentes Estaduais) are available from the Department of Public Safety (Secretaria de Segurança Pública). The records can be obtained from the Civil Police (Policia Civil) – typically the Scientific Technical Police department (Policia Técnico Científica) of the Personal Identification Institute (Instituto de Identificação), depending on the state. A list of Public Security Secretariats is available at br.usembassy.gov.
Federal Police Records are available online and are acceptable for U.S. immigration purposes. The document may be requested at dpf.gov which includes a list of Federal Police Offices. If unable to obtain the certificate online, refer to the Federal Police Department (Departamento de Polícia Federal, Delopis – Delegacia de Ordem Social e Política).
State and federal records are not obtainable or available in Brazil for individuals under 18.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents
Exceptions: None
Comments: Examples of Brazilian civil documents can be found at br.usembassy.gov.
Police records for every state are unique. No central tracking system exists; records are not maintained indefinitely. State Police records are expunged after five years, and the Atestado de Bons Antecedentes will indicate that someone does not have a criminal record unless there was a crime-related encounter within the last five years.
Immigrant visa applicants in Brazil need to provide a police certificate from each state in which they have lived for over six months during the last five years as well as a federal police certificate. State police certificates are not required for periods of residence residing in the Federal District of Brasilia. Police certificates from the Judicial Courts (Poder Judiciáarios) are not acceptable for this purpose. The Federal Police and some states provide online certificates which are accepted for U.S. immigration purposes.
Immigrant visa applicants residing outside Brazil are unlikely to be able to obtain a state-issued Police certificate unless the applicant has given a representative power of attorney to apply on his/her behalf and if the applicant's Brazilian ID card was issued by the specific state from which the certificate is being requested.
Immigrant visa applicants 16 years of age or older who are nationals of or possess a current or previous residence other than Brazil, must present a police certificate, if obtainable, from all countries in which they have resided for six months or more.
Available in all 26 states and the Federal District of Brasilia for individuals in Brazil who are 18 years of age or older.
Fees: Fees are variable.
Document Name: The records (Registros) from State Court Proceedings (Processo Criminal Estadual), and the records (Registros) from Federal Court Proceedings (Processo Criminal Federal).
Issuing Authority: State Court Proceedings are issued by the respective court districts (Tribunal de Justiça). There are approximately 2,700 court districts in Brazil.
Federal Court Proceedings are issued by the Federal Justice Court (Tribunal de Justiça Federal).
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Records vary in form depending on the issuing authority.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title
Registration Criteria: There is no registration criteria
Procedure for Obtaining: State and Federal Court Proceedings are available from the respective courts for adults 18 years of age and older.
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available
Alternate Documents: Records are available from both state and federal court proceedings.
Exceptions: None
Comments: Examples of Brazilian civil documents can be found at br.usembassy.gov. Records for State and Federal Court Proceedings are never expunged.
Available: In all 26 states and the Federal District of Brasilia, but only for individuals in Brazil who are 18 years of age or older.
Fees: Fees are variable.
Document Name: State Prison Records (Processo de Condenação Estadual) and Federal Prison Records (Processo de Condenação Federal).
Issuing Authority: State Justice court (Tribunal de Justiça Estadual) and Federal Justice Court (Tribunal de Justiça Federal).
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Records vary in form depending on the issuing authority.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title
Registration Criteria: There is no registration criteria
Procedure for Obtaining: Records can be obtained at the State Justice Court (Tribunal de Justiça Estadual) and the Federal Justice Court (Tribunal de Justiça Federal).
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available
Alternate Documents: Both state and federal prison records are available.
Exceptions: None
Comments: Examples of Brazilian civil documents can be found at br.usembassy.gov. State and Federal Prison Records are never expunged.
Available: In all 26 states and the Federal District of Brasilia for all Brazilians whether or not a person has served.
Fees: No fee for the first original. Fees vary for additional copies.
Document Name: Certificate of Military Service (Certificado de Alistamento Militar) is available to Brazilians 18 years of age or older and indicates that the bearer is registered as being eligible for military service. Reservist Certificate (Certificado de Reservista) is evidence for reserve status after having served in the Armed Forces.
Discharge Certificate (Certificado de Dispensa de Incorporação) indicates that the citizen has been discharged from serving in the military.
Exemption Certificate (Certificado de Isenção) is issued for Brazilians who are incapable of serving.
Issuing Authority: Department of the Military (Ministerio Do Exército).
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There is no special seal(s)/color/format
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title
Registration Criteria: Military enlistment is mandatory for all male Brazilian citizens when they turn 18.Enrollment should be made between January 1 and April 30 during the year of their 18th birthday and the obligation ends when they turn 45.
Procedure for Obtaining: Available through the Department of the Military (Ministerio Do Exército).
Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available
Alternate Documents: Discrete documents exist for Certificate of Military Service, Reservist Certificate, Exemption Certificate and Discharge Certificate.
Exceptions: None
Comments: Examples of Brazilian civil documents can be found at br.usembassy.gov. Military records, whether or not a person has served, are permanent. Members of the military forces must present their military identification card as proof of military service.
Types Available:
There are no other records.
Post Title: Brasilia (Embassy) – NIV Only
Embassy Street Address:
Avenida das Nações, Quadra 801 Lote 3
Phone Number: (55) (61) 312-7000
Post Title: Recife (Consulate General) – NIV Only
Post Title: Rio de Janeiro (Consulate General) – All Visa Categories
Post Title: Sao Paulo (Consulate General) – NIV Only
Post Title: Porto Alegre (Consulate) – NIV Only
All U.S. immigrant visas for Brazil are processed in Rio de Janeiro. Although the embassy and consulates divide the country into separate consular districts, non-immigrant visa applicants are free to apply at any post.
Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.
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