Brazilians abroad · SPD Advocacia
Living in the United Kingdom? We handle probate, recognition, deeds and INSS applications in Brazil
The firm drafts the power of attorney, handles probate, annotates or recognizes the British divorce, executes property deeds and applies for retirement with your Brazilian time, while you are in the United Kingdom.
What does the firm do in Brazil for those living in the United Kingdom?
The most common requests are parents' estates in Brazil, selling or renting property, divorce and retirement. Almost everything moves forward through a power of attorney, which can be signed at the Brazilian consulates-general in London and Edinburgh or before a British notary public with apostille. The firm drafts the text and handles the act in Brazil. Anything that depends on UK law is not part of the service; we tell you before you engage us.
The United Kingdom is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, and so is Brazil, since 2016 (Decree 8.660/2016). So the British document comes with an apostille, without consular legalization, and needs a sworn translation into Portuguese. A simple uncontested divorce granted there is annotated directly at the Brazilian registry office; if it deals with custody, support or division of assets, it needs recognition by the STJ.
On social security, there is a point of attention: Brazil has no social security agreement with the United Kingdom. So time worked there is not added to INSS time under an international agreement. The firm reviews your record in Brazil and files the INSS application with that time. Brazil and the United Kingdom are parties to the Hague Conventions on child abduction (1980) and child support recovery (2007).
What the law says
Key points
It can be done at the Brazilian consulates in London and Edinburgh or before a notary public with apostille.
The United Kingdom and Brazil are parties to the 1961 Hague Convention. The British document dispenses with consular legalization.
A document in English needs a sworn translation to be used in Brazil.
There is no social security agreement between Brazil and the United Kingdom. Time there is not added to the INSS under an agreement.
Sources: Decree 8.660/2016 (Hague Apostille); Decree 3.413/2000 (1980 Hague Convention); Decree 9.176/2017 (2007 Hague Convention on child support); Federal Constitution, art. 105, I, i; CNJ Provision 149/2023; HCCH (convention status tables); Ministry of Social Security and INSS (list of agreements in force); Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
What is your case?
Situations the firm handles
Probate with an heir in the United Kingdom
Probate at a notary office or in court, and you only sign the power of attorney, wherever you are.
See pagePower of attorney for use in Brazil
We draft the text with the right powers and check it before signing.
See pageBritish divorce or judgment
Direct annotation at the registry office or recognition request at the STJ, depending on the case.
See pageSale or rental of property in Brazil
Deed by attorney-in-fact, lease and regularization.
See pageRetirement with your Brazilian time
Without an agreement with the United Kingdom, we file the INSS application with the time completed here.
See pageRegistering a child born in the United Kingdom
We guide the registration at a Brazilian consular office and handle the steps in Brazil.
See pageStep by step
How the firm works
- Request. You tell us about the case and send the documents through the form on this page.
- Proposal. We send in writing what will be done and the fees, before any engagement.
- Contract. You sign the contract and the power of attorney electronically, wherever you are.
- Delivery. We deliver the probate, the annotation, the filed STJ or INSS application or the deed, depending on the service engaged, with updates on WhatsApp.
Case analysis
Let's analyze your case
Answer the questions one at a time. At the end you can attach documents, which go straight to a folder in the firm's Drive, and send the summary on WhatsApp. Everything is protected by attorney-client confidentiality.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
What exactly do you deliver?
The drafted power of attorney, probate at a notary office or in court, annotation of the divorce or the recognition request at the STJ, the property deed or lease and the INSS application with your Brazilian time.
Do you practice British law?
No. The firm practices Brazilian law. Anything that depends on UK law is not part of the service; we tell you before you engage us.
Does time worked in the United Kingdom count for the INSS?
There is no social security agreement between the two countries, so that time is not added to the INSS under an agreement. We review your record in Brazil and file the application with it.
Is a divorce granted in the United Kingdom valid in Brazil?
It can be. A simple uncontested divorce, dealing only with the end of the marriage, is annotated directly at the Brazilian registry office, without going to the STJ. Others, such as contested divorces or those that also deal with custody, support or division of assets, need recognition by the STJ. We handle the annotation or the STJ request.
Do I need to come to Brazil?
In most cases, no. The power of attorney can be done at the consulates in London or Edinburgh or before a notary public with apostille, and the rest moves forward in Brazil with the firm.
How much does it cost?
After the analysis, the firm sends a written fee proposal, before any engagement. Notary, consulate and translation fees are paid separately, to whoever provides the service.
Lawyer in Brazil for Brazilians living in the United Kingdom
SPD Advocacia handles the Brazilian side for those living in the United Kingdom: power of attorney, probate, recognition of judgments at the STJ, property deeds, INSS applications and registration of children, with remote service and electronic signature.
Countries with an agreement
How payment works
Responsible lawyers
- Sidnei Pedro Dias OAB/GO 48.603 · OAB/DF 68.207 · OAB/SP 501.693 · leads the firm’s cases
- Adrielle Oliveira OAB/GO 76.298 · civil, family, business and international matters
- Eduardo Prado OAB/GO 59.836 · criminal and electoral law
Online service throughout Brazil and for Brazilians abroad. Own office in Anápolis, Goiás, Brazil: Av. Juscelino Kubitschek, 500, Genesis Office, rooms 1506 and 1507. About the firm →
