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Documents to open a Brazilian subsidiary: apostille, translation and power of attorney

You do not need to travel. A power of attorney and the parent company documents, apostilled and sworn-translated, are the core of the file.

The slowest part of opening a subsidiary is often not in Brazil: it is the paperwork the parent company has to prepare abroad. A clear list at the start saves weeks.

What is usually needed

• Corporate documents of the parent, such as the certificate of incorporation and articles, plus proof of who can sign for the company.
• A power of attorney naming the Brazilian attorney-in-fact who will sign the incorporation and receive notifications.
• Identification of the people involved, for example the future administrator.

Apostille

Brazil joined the Hague Apostille Convention, which entered into force in the country on 14 August 2016. A foreign public document or notarised document carrying an apostille from its country of origin is accepted in Brazil without consular legalisation, provided that the country is also party to the Convention.

Sworn translation

Documents in a foreign language are generally translated into Portuguese by a sworn translator registered in Brazil before they are filed at the Junta Comercial.

Timing

Registration steps start once the signed and apostilled documents reach the team in Brazil. The bank account and the capital transfer follow the registrations. In total, plan three to six weeks for a foreign-owned company.

The exact requirements depend on the parent's country and on the registry, so we send a tailored checklist at the diagnosis step. See the process.

General information, not legal advice for your case.