Applying for Brasilian Citizenship via Brasilian Child

If your child is still a minor, and you plan to live in Brazil, you should have no problem obtaining a VITEM XI temporary visa for family reunion from the Brazilian Consulate General in your area, and applying for permanent residency when you get here.  If you're not ready to move yet, you can still visit your child regularly on a tourist visa.

The cases where you might need a lawyer are if your child is over 18, if you have difficulty obtaining the documents you need from your ex, or if you're behind on any legally required child support.

Oi!
Thanks for the reply.  Here are some extra points:
1) Yes, my child is still a minor. 
2) Also, he & his Mom are still in the US. 
3) I already have my 'Residencia Permanente'/Brasilian 'Green Card'. 

However, I am concerned that I may have stayed out of Brasil too long / concerned that the Green Card might not be valid because of this.  Maybe that's an issue that the 'Forum' can talk about.

The Green Card issue is the main reason I'm looking into Citizenship.

Two important questions, then, about your CIE/CRNM:

1. Does it have an expiration date on it in the "Validade" area; if so, has that date passed?

2. Have you been out of Brazil more than two years without even a brief return?

If the answers to both questions are "no", then you're still in the clear; if either or both is "yes", you have a problem.  I would contact the Consulate to find out how big the problem is, and how to fix it.

I've become a naturalized Brazilian citizen as the spouse of a Brazilian, so I know the process; it's the same for the parent of a Brazilian.    To petition for naturalization, you will need to have lived in Brazil for at least one continuous year after the approval date of your CIE/CRNM.  On your petition, you will have to list and explain any absences from Brazil during that year; if you've been away for a long time, you may be required to live here a year before petitioning.

Candidates for citizenship need to prove Portuguese language competence, usually by passing the CelpeBras exam.  You can find the information you need on the CelpeBras requirements in these threads:

https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.p … 30#4748066https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=899915

You can find the documentation requirements for naturalization on the Polícia Federal website.

Thank you very much for the time & information that you have given.  I am very impressed & appreciative for your help.

As for the status of my Perm Resident/Green Card, I am here:  It has not expired (2023), but I have been away for 6 years (probably not good).

I hope that the primary implication of that 6 year absence is just a fine...or less (not holding my breath, though). 

Also, I would imagine that I would have to take care of that before traveling to Brasil.  It would be ideal if I could go there & take care of it at the Immigration counter at the airport....but that's likely wishful thinking:  I would not like to get there & then be put back on the next flight out.

But your main advice, to contact my COnsulate (Atlanta), is the best way to start.

Hopefully, I won't get drawn into a Black Hole of bureacracy, like the application process was for getting my Green Card.

Anyway, first things first:  I need to get answers to my Perm Resident (VIPER) status before I even think about applying for Citizenship.

archlab,

You're very welcome!

Cancellations are not automatic, but like you, I wouldn't want to wait until I got to the Immigration post to find out, either.  Since your card still has over two years' validity, fingers crossed for you!  Please let us know how it goes:  it will be helpful to others in your situation.

Thanks abthree!

I was just composing my email to the Atlanta Consulate....and, Yes, "Fingers Crossed".  I guess I should adopt that as a motto, LOL.

And although it's more wishful & kinda selfish thinking....maybe this COVID-delay stuff could help me.  As long as my Fingers a re Crossed, right!

FWIW, I wrote to the Atlanta Consulado by EMAIL & it they got back to me in the 2 days that their website promised.   

A side note:  An Inquiry via EMAIL is SO MUCH better than having to make an appointment with them at 'Diplomatic Hours' (all nations seem to do the really short windows of , like 10-12pm, then 2-3pm for in-person appointments).  It is also so much better, because the Atlanta consulate is a bit of a pain to travel to with our traffic (pre-COVID, at least, LOL). 

Anyway, kudos to the Consulado Geral do Atlanta.

With that said, their response was short & pretty much what I figured....they referred me to Policia Federal....

If anyone has a direct, reliable contact/contact info for resolving issues of Permanent Residence, such as an email to the proper department/officer,etc, please let me know what that is.

archlab wrote:

Thanks abthree!

I was just composing my email to the Atlanta Consulate....and, Yes, "Fingers Crossed".  I guess I should adopt that as a motto, LOL.

And although it's more wishful & kinda selfish thinking....maybe this COVID-delay stuff could help me.  As long as my Fingers a re Crossed, right!

Boa Manha!
Actually, if you have worked with the Consulates here in the USA before Covid, it truly is much, much better now during COVID.  I have worked with the San Francisco Consulate a couple of times this fall and they have been SUPER fast, and very helpful by email.  In fact, often replying at night and on the weekends. Just a tiny silver-lining about COVID, but it's worked in my favor.