Planning to get married in Brazil? Don’t let red tape derail your big day—here’s what you should know to your marriage official as a foreigner.
Whether you want a barefoot Ipanema beach ceremony or a full-blown Rio Carnival-style wedding, this guide offers insider knowledge to have a legally recognized marriage in Brazil.
Wedding Customs in Brazil
Picture this: Churches bursting with more color than a Rio sunrise, where even the groom gets his dramatic entrance (sorry, brides – this isn’t your solo show). Thanks to Brazil’s deep Catholic roots, most couples say “sim” under the vaulted ceiling of a church.
Forget cookie-cutter wedding parties—in Brazil, your ‘Madrinhas’ and ‘Padrinhos’ (maids of honor and groomsmen) bring the fireworks. These aren’t just witnesses—they’re your hype crew, fitted out in eclectic colors instead of regular matching garms.
A tradition is to cut up the groom’s tie and auction it to the guests to fund the honeymoon. Another custom is to offer bem casados (sweet treats) to the couple. Late-night snacks are also common to keep the guests energized for the evening.
Some Brazilian regions take “something borrowed, something blue” to a whole new level. In the North, grooms face their first marital test with ‘Bumba-Meu-Boi’—a raucous folk spectacle where the poor guy has to ceremonially “tame” a donkey (spoiler: The animal usually wins).
Meanwhile, in Southern states like Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul, brides perform the elegant ‘Troca de Dedo’—that magical moment when she slides her engagement ring to her left hand mid-ceremony, transforming it into a wedding band.
Types of Marriages in Brazil
- Civil marriages: Legally binding and recognized by the Brazilian government, civil marriages go through a Cartório de Registro Civil (Civil Registry Office). The marriage, known as habilitação, involves submitting the documents to the Cartório, typically taking 30 days before the wedding can take place.
- Church marriages: While common, church weddings are not legally binding unions in Brazil. They are usually performed in a Christian or Catholic church by a priest or pastor who asks if anyone objects to the union before declaring the couple married.
Legal Requirements to Get Married in Brazil
To get married in Brazil, you must:
- Be at least 21 (or have parental consent if younger)
- Be single, divorced, or widowed, with a single status affidavit.
- Not be related to your partner.
- Parent
- Aunt/uncle
- Sibling
- Half-sibling
- Son/daughter
- Grandchild
- Niece/nephew
- Grandparent
Documents Required for a Brazillian Marriage
Before you can register a marriage at a Cartório, you will need:
- Birth certificates for both partners
- Proof of residence
- Certified certificate of single status affidavit (itamaraty)
- Divorce or death certificates (if applicable)
- Taxpayer ID (for Brazilian partner)
- Parents’ birth details (for Brazilian partner)
- Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage (CNI)
- Statement of civil status from the Brazilian Embassy or Consulate
If applying for a permanent residency visa (VITEM XI) after marriage, additional documents, including a criminal record check and proof of address, will be required.
All foreign documents must accompanied by a SWORN translation by a certified Portuguese translator and legalized or apostilled for validity in Brazil.
Brazil Citizenship
How to Get Married in Brazil
1. Declare Intent to Marry
Go to your local Cartório, fill out the application, and publish your intent to marry in a newspaper or church announcement. You will also need two witnesses (over 21) with valid IDs. Marriage licenses issued by the Cartório are valid for three months.
2. Register Your Marriage
You must register at the Cartório (Civil Registry or Notary Office) within 30 days before the ceremony. The required documents vary by location.
3. Plan Your Ceremony
1. Wallet check first
Before you fall in love with a beachfront resort, sit down with your partner and crunch numbers for:
- The must-haves (venue, outfits, legal fees)
- The nice-to-haves (those Insta-worthy floral arches)
- The “didn’t see that coming” costs (overtime fees for the band when the party inevitably runs late)
2. Choose a venue
Pick where you want to get married in Brazil:
- Resorts: For the “I want mojitos served to me mid-vow” crowd
- Historic churches: If you dream of golden altars and cathedral echoes
- Beach shacks: Where your aisle is literally the tide line
3. Pick a date
Pro tip: Avoid Carnival season unless you want your wedding to compete with samba parades. Check:
- Rainy seasons (no one likes a mascara-streaked ceremony)
- Holiday weekends when prices triple
- That sweet spot where the best vendors aren’t fully booked
4. Build your wedding dream team
The Brazil wedding vendors who’ll save your sanity:
- A wedding planner who speaks “Portuguese” and “budget” fluently.
- A photographer who won’t make you do cringe poses.
- A caterer who understands “vegetarian” doesn’t mean “just more bread.”
5. Nail the details
This is where you:
- Choose your wedding party
- Write meaningful vows
- Plan the ceremony flow (keep it under 30 mins)
6. Rehearse your wedding day
Especially if you’ve got:
- A massive wedding party
- Complicated traditions (see: donkey wrangling)
- Relatives who “helpfully” ignore directions
7. Make your ceremony yours
The magic touches:
- A song for the first dance (Some Djavan wouldn’t be a bad choice).
- Readings that actually mean something to you two.
- Surprise elements (how about a caipirinha toast with mini empanadas?).
Your trust, our priority
Have confidence to legally get married in Brazil with Brazil Visa Solutions. Drawing on the extensive experience of our highly qualified Brazil immigration lawyers, we offer expert guidance to formalize your Brazilian marriage.
Get it touch with us to book a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions about Marriage in Brazil
What is a Certidão do Estado Civil?
A Certidão do Estado Civil in Brazil is a Civil Status Certificate in Brazil, one of several official documents that certify an individual’s current marital status, including a marriage certificate, birth certificate, death certificate, or divorce certificate.
Can a foreigner get married in Brazil?
Brazil allows foreigners to get married there, provided they have a valid passport, a single status affidavit, a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage, and register the marriage with a Cartório de Registro Civil (Civil Registry Office).
How long does it take to get married in Brazil?
The time it takes to get married in Brazil is about 30 days, starting from the announcement of intent to marry, followed by a 30-day waiting period.
Is a marriage in Brazil legal in the US?
A Marriage legally performed by a Cartório de Registro Civil (Civil Registry Office) in Brazil is generally considered a legal union in the United States. However, individual states might have their own specific requirements.
What documents does an American need to get married in Brazil?
The primary documents a US citizen needs to get married in Brazil include a valid US passport, a single status affidavit, and a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage. A Brazilian Embassy in the United States must authenticate all documents.
Can you have more than one wife in Brazil?
Under Article 235 of the Brazilian Penal Code, a nuptial between more than two simultaneously is considered bigamy, a criminal offense punishable by two to six years in prison.
Is gay marriage legal in Brazil?
Since May 16, 2013, Brazil has legally recognized same-sex marriage following a ruling by the National Justice Council.
Can I get married online in Brazil?
In Brazil, you can apply for a marriage license online, but the actual wedding cannot be conducted virtually. However, under certain circumstances, a proxy can stand in for you if you are unable to attend the wedding in person.
Can I stay in Brazil if I marry a Brazilian?
The spouse of a Brazilian qualifies for the Family Reunion Visa (VITEM XI), a residence permit leading to permanent residency in Brazil.
