Question 1

What is a sworn translation (tradução juramentada)?

Accepted Answer

A sworn translation (tradução juramentada) is a translation made and signed by a public translator and interpreter (tradutor juramentado) who passed a public exam and is registered with the Junta Comercial of their state. It has public faith and is accepted by every public body in Brazil (Law 14.195/2021). With traduzme you receive it as a digitally signed PDF. Outside Brazil, the receiving authority decides whether it accepts the translation.

Question 2

How much does a sworn translation from English cost?

Accepted Answer

Prices are fixed and published. English into Portuguese: certificates, diplomas, passport and police certificates R$ 129; transcripts and powers of attorney R$ 139 + R$ 49 per extra page; other texts R$ 119 per page of text of 1,000 characters without spaces (technical R$ 139). Portuguese into English: R$ 139 and R$ 149 + R$ 49; texts R$ 119 per page of text (technical R$ 139). Apostille on the translation (only for Brazilian documents used abroad): R$ 119.

Question 3

How long does it take?

Accepted Answer

4 business days for documents (long texts: 5), counted from payment. Express in 24 h (up to 10 pages) or 48 h (up to 19 pages) when there is still capacity that day – the date and the express option appear in the online quote before you pay. The apostille on the original in the issuing country takes extra time – start early.

Question 4

Do I really need a sworn translation for an English document in Brazil?

Accepted Answer

As a rule, yes: to have legal effect at public offices, notaries and courts, every foreign-language document needs a sworn translation into Portuguese made in Brazil by a public translator (Code of Civil Procedure, art. 192; Law 14.195/2021). The Federal Police says so explicitly, even for apostilled documents – a certified translation from your home country is not a substitute. Important exception: for diploma revalidation, universities generally waive translation of English documents (Res. CNE/CES 2/2024).

Question 5

Where do I get the apostille on my original?

Accepted Answer

It depends on where the document was issued. Foreign document for use in Brazil: the apostille is issued in the country that issued the document – in the US, usually the Secretary of State of the state that issued the certificate (federal documents such as the FBI record: the Department of State); in the UK, the FCDO Legalisation Office; in Canada, Global Affairs Canada or the province. Your embassy in Brazil cannot do it, and Brazilian notaries cannot apostille foreign documents. Brazilian document for use abroad: the apostille is issued at a cartório in Brazil, and traduzme requests the e-Apostila for you if the receiving authority requires it. Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya do not accept the apostille: there the document is legalised at Itamaraty and then at the embassy.

Question 6

Is the digital translation accepted?

Accepted Answer

In Brazil: yes. Law 14.195/2021 (art. 33) allows sworn translators to work electronically; the digitally signed PDF counts like the paper copy. If a Brazilian office asks for paper, message us on WhatsApp first – a printed copy can be posted within Brazil. Abroad: the receiving authority decides. For online applications you upload the PDF; if the authority wants an apostille on the translation, we add the e-Apostila. If it requires paper, talk to us before you order.

Question 7

Is the translation accepted by USCIS (USA) or IRCC (Canada)?

Accepted Answer

For USCIS, the translation must come with the translator’s Certificate of Translation – no US-based translator or notary is needed. For IRCC, because the translator is not certified in Canada, a Translator’s Affidavit sworn before an official authorised to take oaths, and a certified copy of the original are also needed. Tell us in your order that it is for IRCC: we confirm the affidavit route before you pay.

Question 8

Do you also translate from Portuguese into English?

Accepted Answer

Yes, from R$ 139 – e.g. Brazilian certificates, diplomas, transcripts and police records for immigration, study or work abroad. The receiving authority decides whether it accepts the translation: for each country above we show what the official sources say, e.g. about USCIS (USA), the Home Office (UK) or IRCC (Canada).

Question 9

What do I need to get married at a Brazilian notary (cartório)?

Accepted Answer

Usually your birth certificate – apostilled and with a sworn translation made in Brazil; if you were married before, also the divorce certificate or decree, or the death certificate. In São Paulo, a passport with a valid visa, a foreigner ID card or a consular declaration can replace the birth certificate (Arpen-SP Statement 59); if you use the birth certificate, in São Paulo it must also be registered at the Títulos e Documentos registry. Other states have their own rules. Ask your cartório for its list.

Question 10

What do I need for residence or naturalisation?

Accepted Answer

Among other things, a police certificate from your country of origin – apostilled and with a sworn translation made in Brazil (Ordinance MJSP 623/2020). In the US that is the FBI Identity History Summary (federal apostille at the Department of State); in the UK, the ACRO Police Certificate; in Canada, the RCMP fingerprint-based check. Applications are made online on gov.br; the full lists are on the Ministry of Justice and Federal Police websites.

Question 11

I want to revalidate my English-language diploma.

Accepted Answer

Public universities may require a translation, but academic lingua francas "such as" English, French and Spanish are exempt (Res. CNE/CES 2/2024, art. 4) – a university can only set this aside by its own justified decision. So English diplomas and transcripts usually need no translation – check the call (edital). Most require an apostille on the original. If the edital asks for a sworn translation, we do it from R$ 129.

Question 12

How do I pay – also without a CPF or Pix?

Accepted Answer

By Pix directly to the company (Benedikt Schober LTDA, CNPJ 55.852.696/0001-76), always with an official invoice. Without a CPF or Pix, choose “I’m a foreigner” in the calculator – then you pay by PayPal or bank transfer (from abroad, e.g. via Wise). Someone else can also pay by Pix for you.

Question 13

My name is spelled differently on my documents. What now?

Accepted Answer

Send us your passport page too. We use the passport spelling so that all translations match – in Brazil and abroad. Middle names, married names and suffixes like Jr. are kept as in the original.

Question 14

Do I need to send the original?

Accepted Answer

Not for the translation – in both directions a scanned PDF or a sharp photo is enough. Keep the original: in Brazil the sworn translation is presented together with it; abroad, the receiving authority tells you whether it wants the original, a certified copy or only an online upload.

Question 15

Is the translation valid all over Brazil?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A sworn translation is officially valid in every Brazilian state. Everything is online: São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasília, Florianópolis or any other city – and from abroad. For use outside Brazil, the receiving authority decides: see the country above.

Question 16

Can I use the translation more than once?

Accepted Answer

Yes, in both directions: you can present the digitally signed PDF to several offices, in Brazil or abroad. Some ask for a recent certificate – a new certificate then needs a new translation.

Question 17

Which Brazilian rules apply to every country?

Accepted Answer

The United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada (since 11 Jan 2024), Australia, New Zealand and South Africa are parties to the Apostille Convention; it has applied to Brazil since 14 Aug 2016. Public documents from these countries need only the apostille of the issuing country’s competent authority – no consular legalization. Check the HCCH table for any objection between the country and Brazil. (Source: HCCH status table; CNJ Resolution 228/2016) Even English-language, apostilled documents need a Brazilian sworn translation by a public translator (tradutor e intérprete público) registered with a Brazilian Junta Comercial. There is no general exemption for English, and “certified translations” made abroad do not replace the Brazilian sworn translation. (Source: CPC art. 192; Law 14,195/2021 arts. 22 and 27; Federal Police FAQ) A sworn translation carries public faith, is valid in every Brazilian state and may be issued electronically with a digital signature; the electronic version has the same validity as the paper one. (Source: Law 14,195/2021 arts. 24, 27 and 33; Law 14,063/2020) Diploma revalidation: the public university may require a translation, but this does not apply to academic lingua francas “such as English, French and Spanish”; the university can only set this exception aside by a reasoned act of its own. Diploma and transcript still need the apostille. (Source: CNE/CES Resolution 2/2024, art. 4 §§ 6–7) Federal Police (residence permit, RNM): foreign certificates need an apostille or legalization and a sworn translation made in Brazil; the Mercosur translation waivers do not apply to documents from English-speaking countries. Criminal record certificates are usually accepted up to 90 days after issue. (Source: Federal Police FAQ) Registry of Deeds and Documents (RTD): foreign documents, together with their translation, are registered at the RTD to take effect against third parties and public bodies; some registry offices require this, e.g. for marriage. (Source: Law 6,015/1973 art. 129, 6º) Marriage at a cartório: foreigners usually present an apostilled birth certificate with a sworn translation, in many states also registered at the RTD; in São Paulo a passport with a valid visa or a consular declaration can replace the birth certificate. Rules vary by state – check with the registry office. (Source: Civil Code art. 1,525; CGJ-SP Service Rules ch. XVII; ARPEN-SP Statement 59) CPF (Federal Revenue): foreigners can register in Brazil or at Brazilian consular posts abroad; the passport is presented as identification. Ask whether any additional English-language document will need a translation. (Source: RFB Normative Instruction 2,172/2024) Brazilian documents for English-speaking countries: the apostille only covers documents issued in Brazil, and traduzme requests the digital e-Apostila for you. On the translation, an apostille is only needed when the foreign authority asks for it. (Source: CNJ Resolution 228/2016; CNJ Apostille FAQ) Abroad, the receiving authority decides whether a translation made in Brazil is accepted: USCIS and the UK Home Office accept translations with a translator’s statement; IRCC (Canada) also asks for a translator’s affidavit sworn before an official authorised to take oaths; Australia requires NAATI only for translations made in Australia. (Source: 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3); gov.uk; canada.ca; Australian Home Affairs/High Commission)

Question 18

Where can I get free help in Brazil?

Accepted Answer

Defensoria Pública da União – free legal advice for people on low incomes, including migrants. CRAI São Paulo – the city’s centre for immigrants: advice on documents, work and rights. Your own embassy or consulate in Brazil – for passports, consular registrations and your own country’s documents. We do not give legal advice on visas, residence or marriage – for that, see a lawyer or the Defensoria. You can check whether someone is a registered lawyer in the OAB national register .

Sworn translation English–Portuguese, for use in Brazil and abroad.

Where will you use your Brazilian document? Where is your document from?

United States

United Kingdom

Canada

Australia

Ireland

New Zealand

South Africa

India

Nigeria

Ghana

Kenya

Singapore

Philippines

Jamaica

Trinidad and Tobago

Guyana

Malta

Sworn translation from English: fixed, published prices

A large order? Send everything at once and get one fixed offer.

Sworn translation English into Portuguese and Portuguese into English: three steps

A fair price, no surprises.

Sworn English interpreter – online, by your side

Frequently asked questions about sworn translation from English

Special cases

Send it today.
Get it back signed.

Document	From English	Into English
Birth certificate	R$ 129	R$ 139
Marriage certificate	R$ 129	R$ 139
Divorce certificate / decree	R$ 129	R$ 139
Death certificate	R$ 129	R$ 139
Passport	R$ 129	R$ 139
ID card	R$ 129	R$ 139
Driver's licence	R$ 129	R$ 139
Police certificate / criminal record check	R$ 129	R$ 139
Diploma / degree certificate	R$ 129	R$ 139
Full-text civil record (inteiro teor)	R$ 129	R$ 139
Academic transcript	R$ 139+ R$ 49 per extra page	R$ 149+ R$ 49 per extra page
Power of attorney	R$ 139+ R$ 49 per extra page	R$ 149+ R$ 49 per extra page
Contract, court ruling or other text	R$ 119per page of 1,000 characters without spaces (technical R$ 139)	R$ 119per page of 1,000 characters without spaces (technical R$ 139)
Apostille on the translation	–	R$ 119