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International social security · SPD Advocacia

Live abroad and receive an INSS benefit? See how to do proof of life without traveling

Anyone who receives a benefit from Brazil's social security institute, INSS, and lives abroad must prove they are alive once a year. The firm advises on the accepted type of certificate, checks the document and follows its submission through Meu INSS.

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How does INSS proof of life work for people living abroad?

Proof of life changed in 2022. Since then, INSS confirms that the beneficiary is alive preferably through data cross-checking (MTP Ordinance 220/2022 and PRES/INSS Ordinance 1,408/2022). Acts that count include accessing Meu INSS with a gold-level account (selo ouro), voting, vaccination and issuing or renewing a passport, and access to Meu INSS counts even when done from abroad. The law kept the annual check, in the holder's birthday month (Brazilian Law 8,212/1991, art. 69, § 8). If INSS finds none of these acts, it notifies the beneficiary to provide proof.

For people living abroad, the official INSS page, updated in 2026, advises providing proof once a year, in your birthday month, to avoid a payment block and suspension of the benefit. INSS accepts a life certificate issued by a Brazilian consulate, the INSS form signed before a local notary and apostilled, an apostilled document from a municipal body, such as the Juntas de Freguesia (parish councils) in Portugal, or a certificate from the liaison body of a country with an agreement.

The document is valid for 90 days, counted from signature by the liaison body, legalization at the consulate or the apostille. The apostille must be issued within 30 days after the signature is notarized. Submission is done on Meu INSS, through the life certificate update service, or by post to the international agreements office for the country of residence. INSS does not accept submission by email. People living in a country without an agreement send it to the General Coordination for Benefit Payments (Coordenação-Geral de Pagamento de Benefícios), in Brasília.

What the law says

The points that matter most

Data cross-checking

Since 2022, INSS first looks for the beneficiary's acts in databases (PRES/INSS Ordinance 1,408/2022, arts. 1 and 2).

Once a year

The law and INSS provide for an annual check, in the birthday month (Law 8,212/1991, art. 69, § 8).

Accepted forms

Consulate, notary with apostille, municipal body with apostille, or liaison body of a country with an agreement.

Valid for 90 days

The certificate is valid for 90 days, and the apostille must be issued within 30 days of the signature notarization.

Source: Brazilian Law 8,212/1991, art. 69, § 8 (as worded by Law 14,199/2021); MTP Ordinance 220/2022, art. 1; PRES/INSS Ordinance 1,408/2022, arts. 1 to 4; INSS, “Comprovação de vida para beneficiários que moram no exterior” (proof of life for beneficiaries living abroad) and service “Solicitar Atualização de Atestado de Vida” (life certificate update); INSS life certificate form for residents abroad. Content reviewed on October 23, 2026.

What is your case?

Situations the firm handles

Consulate

Able to go to the Brazilian consulate

A certificate issued by the consulate needs no notary or apostille.

See page
Notary

Living far from the consulate

Use the INSS form, signed before a notary and apostilled.

See page
Portugal

Living in Portugal

A document from the Junta de Freguesia also works, if apostilled.

See page
United States

Living in the US

The form can be signed before a notary public and apostilled.

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Payment block

Payment has already been blocked

We advise on the certificate and the request to reactivate the benefit.

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Survivor's pension

Pensioner living abroad

The same proof of life applies to people receiving a survivor's pension.

See page
This page provides general information, does not replace an analysis of the case and there is no guarantee of results.

Step by step

How the firm works

  1. Review. We check the country, the benefit and the simplest form of certificate for you.
  2. Document. We fill in the INSS form and check the deadlines for signature and apostille.
  3. Submission. We send the certificate through Meu INSS and keep the receipt number.
  4. Follow-up. We follow the response and remind you of the next proof of life, with updates on WhatsApp.
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Case review

Let's look at 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 via WhatsApp. Everything is protected by attorney-client confidentiality.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Can I send the certificate by email?

No. INSS accepts submission through Meu INSS or by post to the international agreements office for the country where you live.

How long is the certificate valid?

It is valid for 90 days, counted from the signature by the liaison body, the legalization at the consulate or the apostille.

Do I need to go to the consulate?

Not necessarily. If the country is a party to the Hague Convention, the INSS form can be signed before a local notary and apostilled. Going to the consulate makes the notary unnecessary.

What happens if I don't do it?

INSS blocks the payment and may suspend the benefit. In that case, you need to submit the certificate and request reactivation through the specific INSS service.

Does accessing Meu INSS from abroad count as proof of life?

PRES/INSS Ordinance 1,408/2022 lists access to Meu INSS with a gold-level account, in Brazil or abroad, among the acts that prove life. Even so, INSS advises people living abroad to send the annual certificate.

How much does it cost?

After the analysis, the firm sends a written fee proposal before any engagement.