Navigating Brazilian Immigration with Kids
Have both parents present with original passports and birth certificates for the children. If only one parent is traveling, you must carry a notarized travel authorization form signed by the absent parent to avoid being turned away at the border.
- Prepare the Authorization Form. If one parent is not traveling, download the official 'Formulário de Autorização de Viagem Internacional' from the Brazilian Federal Police website. Fill it out and have it notarized. If you are outside Brazil, this must be notarized at a Brazilian Consulate.
- Gather Original Documents. Bring the child’s original passport and an original long-form birth certificate that lists both parents' names. Digital copies are not accepted by border agents.
- Present at the Counter. Go to the immigration booth together as a family. Ensure your paperwork is on top of your passports. Hand the agent the passports and the authorization form immediately to signal that you are prepared for the family check.
- Wait for the Stamp. The officer will verify the document authenticity against the child's passport. Expect the process to take about 5–10 minutes longer than a standard adult entry.
- Does my teenager need the authorization form?
- Yes, the requirement applies to any minor under the age of 18, regardless of how mature they appear.
- What if I am the sole legal guardian?
- You must carry the original court order or death certificate proving sole custody. The document must be apostilled or translated if it is not in Portuguese or English.
- Can I use a copy of the authorization form?
- No. The Federal Police require the original notarized document.