The Hague Handout
What is?
The word Apostila (in Portuguese) is of French origin, spelled "Apostille", which comes from the verb "Apostiller", which means annotation. Therefore, although the meaning in the Portuguese language has to do with publication, a booklet consists of an annotation in the margin of a document or at the end of a letter, for example. In this case, the Apostille is defined as a certificate issued under the Hague Apostille Convention, which authenticates the origin of the public document, so that it has legal validity abroad.
The CNJ - National Council of Justice is responsible for coordinating and regulating the application of the Hague Apostille Convention in Brazil, which came into force in August 2016. The treaty was signed in the second half of 2015 by Brazil and 111 other countries, in order to streamline and simplify the legalization of documents among the 112 signatory countries, allowing for the mutual recognition of Brazilian documents abroad and foreign documents in Brazil.
The Hague Apostille Convention
The Convention applies to public acts drawn up and presented in one of the signatory countries. Public acts are documents originating from an authority or employee dependent on any jurisdiction in the country, comprised from the Public Prosecutor's Office, a law clerk or a due diligence officer: administrative documents, notarial acts, official statements such as mentions records, visas for a specific date and signature recognition, inserted in acts of a private nature.
The Convention does not apply to:
Documents prepared by diplomatic or consular agents, administrative documents directly related to a commercial or customs operation.
The only formality that may be required to test the signature's veracity, quality and authenticity will be the seal or stamp given by the competent authority of the country where the document originates. This formality cannot be required if the laws, regulations, customs in force in the country where the act was carried out remove, simplify or dispense with the act of legalization.
When to hand out?
Whenever you need to send certain documents issued in your country of origin, to one of the 112 signatory countries to the Hague Apostille Convention. We suggest that you check in advance, with the country requesting the document, the need to carry out the apostilamento.
Where to apostille?
In any notary's office or RCPN - Civil Registry of Natural Persons, located in Rio de Janeiro or in any other Brazilian state.
How much does it cost to hand out?
The values vary according to the state and within the state itself. In Rio de Janeiro, each document handout varies between R $ 53.00 and R $ 58.00 (Jul / 2020). Do not pay above this amount. Look for a registry office with the most affordable value.
In São Paulo there are notary offices applying the cost of R $ 117.00 for each apostilamento.
Very important: Apostille is by document and not by sheet. That is, if your document has 300 sheets, the value will be only one booklet. The single seal of the apostille will always be affixed to the last sheet of the document, regardless of the number of sheets it contains.
Doubts?
If you have any questions about the Hague apostille, access our Contact Us area of this website and send us your questions via our electronic form.