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A few questions about marriage and permanent visa

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JRomero1988

So I’m finding myself confused about all the documents I need too bring I’ll start first about marriage:
So I was told for the marriage part I need my passport and birth certificate also declaration of civil status but we told them I’m getting divorced so all I needed was my divorce decree and passport and that I can get my divorce decree translated here in Brazil and then taken too a notary too get stamped so I’m a little confused on this part and who is right for the documents and what needs too be done for each document.
As for the permanent residency I need too get my fbi background check and passport and 2 photos taken and some forms from the federal police website can I take my background check too get certified in Brazil or does it have too be done in the states right now there is a 2-3 month wait too get the documents back too me if it’s done here in the states and I got a extension on my visa which ends on may 14 so there is time but if it really takes 2-3 months I will not have enough time before it expires if someone can help tell me what I all need and if there is a way too get my background check certified faster please can someone lead me in the right direction I’m a little worried I won’t make the deadline thanks for reading and willing too give me advice going forward

JRomero1988

Also I’m in Colorado

abthree

Brazil and the United States are both parties to the Hague Apostille Convention, which means that they will recognize each other's official documents  if they have a certification,  called an apostille,  from the government that issued them. 

The general rule for US documents is that Federal documents,  like your Background Check, need an apostille from the US Department of State in Washington.   State documents,  like your birth certificate and your divorce decree, need an apostille from the state that issued them.  To find out who a state authority is, do a search on "Apostille Authority,  State of ________".  It's often the state's Secretary of
State,  but not always.

Passports do not need apostilles.

There are services you can pay to obtain your apostilles, if it's not practical to get them yourself.

Apostilles are affixed to documents in such a way that removing or damaging them will invalidate the document,  so have duplicate originals, or at least make copies before the apostilles are affixed.

All documents in a language other than Portuguese,  both document and apostille,  need to be translated by a Sworn Translator, a person officially authorized to provide translations for government use.  You can find one  by doing a search on "Tradutores Juramentados" once you get to Brazil.

JRomero1988

So will I need my birth certificate because the lady at the federal police in lapa told me I need only my fbi background check apostille not my birth certificate or divorce decree she also told me I won’t need my birth certificate if I have a divorce decree I just need too make sure I have all the documents ready so I don’t leave with missing documents
So she basically told me for the marriage part I need only my passport and divorce decree never said it had too be apostille

abthree

You're dealing with two different authorities,  and they don't talk to each other.   They also don't control each other, so one giving you a pass on something doesn't necessarily mean the other will.

For your marriage, the cartório, the notary office that your girlfriend chooses, is in charge.  Cartórios are private businesses regulated by the Judiciary  in Brazil.  They're the ones who need your divorce decree, and they can be as picky as they want to be about proof that your previous marriage was legally terminated.   Every cartório is a little different,  but you don't need to work in the dark on this one:  your girlfriend should be able to get a list of the documents they require directly from the cartório,  so you'll know exactly.

For your residency authorization,  you're dealing with the Federal Police,  under the Ministry of Justice.     They need a legal document that shows the names of both of your parents:  a birth certificate is the one that's commonly used, and one they're accustomed to seeing, but if your divorce decree includes that information, they may accept it.  The list of documents that they require is on their website, and the same nationwide; bring every one that applies to your situation.

I'd have an apostille on every document for the Federal Police,  except the passport.  I'd have them on the cartório documents, too:  the more official they look, the less likely they are to inspire questions.   The fewer questions, the less chance to be rejected.  Sworn Translations for everything.

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