What do I need to arrange if I want to marry in Brazil?
If you are a Dutch national planning to marry in Brazil, you will need to provide certain documents. And you may need to meet extra requirements.
Can I get married in Brazil?
Ask the organisation that you want to perform the marriage in Brazil if you are allowed to marry there as a Dutch national. In Brazil, legally valid marriages are performed at a notary public’s office (cartório). The notary public can provide information about the documents you require.
Same-sex couples can get married in Brazil.
You cannot get married at the Dutch embassy.
Requirements for getting married for Dutch nationals
If you are a Dutch national and you want to marry, you must meet the following requirements:
- You and your partner must be 18 or older. If you are under 18 and you marry abroad, the Dutch authorities will not recognise your marriage until you and your partner are both 18.
- You and your partner must not already be married to or have a registered partnership with someone else.
- If you are under guardianship, you will need the permission of your guardian or of the limited jurisdiction judge (‘kantonrechter’).
- The following family members are not allowed to marry each other or enter into a registered partnership with each other: parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, and brothers and sisters.
What documents do I need to marry in Brazil?
To get married in Brazil you will need the following documents:
A declaration of marital status shows that you are unmarried. You must have the document translated and legalised. To get this document, you will need to submit a number of other documents.
More information about applying for a declaration of marital status
You can get an official copy of your birth certificate from the municipality where you were born. You must have the document translated and legalised.
More information about having Dutch documents legalised for use abroad
To marry in Brazil you will need an original anvalid passport (with an entry stamp for Brazil). An ID card will not be accepted.
If you are divorced, you will need official copies of your marriage certificate and of your divorce certificate. You must have the documents legalised.
More information about having Dutch documents legalised for use abroad
If you are a widow or widower, you will need official copies of your marriage certificate and of your deceased spouse’s death certificate. You must have the document translated and legalised.
More information about having Dutch documents legalised for use abroad
Is my marriage valid in the Netherlands?
Marriages performed in Brazil are recognised in the Netherlands. But you must have your marriage certificate legalised.
Do I have to register my marriage in the Netherlands?
You may need to register your marriage in the Netherlands. This depends on where you live.
If you live in the Netherlands, you must register your marriage with your municipality. You will need your marriage certificate to do this. First have your marriage certificate translated and legalised.
More information about having documents from Brazil legalised
If you live outside the Netherlands, you can have your marriage certificate converted into a Dutch certificate by the municipality of The Hague. This is not mandatory, but it can be useful if you ever need an extract in the future.
More information about registering a foreign marriage certificate in the Netherlands
Extra information
You can choose to add your spouse’s surname to your own surname.