Foreign Children Relocating to Brazil - Documents
Some rules must be observed when the subject involves children and documentation. This article will show how to obtain the main papers, as well as information about various circumstances.
Moving to Brazil involves several personal actions, but obtaining documents - and knowing how to do so - is seen as one of the most tiresome needs.
For adults, obtaining a document commonly means taking copies of many other papers, going to the Polícia Federal (the Brazilian Federal Police) to present forms and applications, waiting for the scheduled appointment, waiting in lines, waiting for the document to be issued and waiting for its delivery via mail service.
For children, there are some differences, but the process is not necessarily more simple.
Registro Nacional de Estrangeiros - RNE
RNE is the identification number for foreigners in Brazil, and it is one of the most important documents while in the country. It is mandatory for anyone staying in Brazilian territory for more than 90 days, including for those under the age of 18 years.
Procedures to obtain an RNE are:
- Complete the online application on the Polícia Federal website and print it
- Print the Guia de Recolhimento da União (GRU, the form used to pay federal taxes and fees)
- Schedule an appointment at one of the Polícia Federal units
- Attend the appointment with the necessary documentation and the paid GRU
The main difference in relation to those under the age of 18 years is that parents must be present when applying for the children’s RNE at the Polícia Federal, as well as during any possible returns due to documentation mistakes or other circumstances.
It is permitted that only one of the parents can accompany the child, or a legal guardian instead. Also, the child does not have to be present when the documents are withdrawn; this can be done by one of the parents, if the paper to withdraw the document is presented.
Cadastro de Pessoa Física - CPF
Obtaining a CPF, or Individual Taxpayer Registration, might not be the main concern for children relocating to Brazil, but it can be requested in some situations. The most common one is when opening a bank account in Brazil.
Procedures to obtain a CPF are relatively simple when compared to an RNE. Basically, an application must be completed and presented at one of the institutions specified by the Receita Federal (Brazilian Federal Revenue), along with the necessary documents {LINK HERE}.
For foreigners, an ID document valid in the country of origin, RNE, or passport is enough. The main condition is that any foreign document must be sworn translated when applying for a CPF.
Have in mind that people under the age of 16 years will also need their legal guardian or parents’ ID in order to obtain a CPF.
Travel Documents
Parents must carry some documents when traveling with children, either to another Brazilian city or to another country. The law states that those considered as legal guardians of a child must prove this; this verification is especially rigorous when travelling by air.
Domestic Trips
According to Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil (ANAC, or National Agency of Civil Aviation), parents of children under the age of 12 years old must present a birth certificate or identification document that proves the parental bond, in addition to identification documents of the parents themselves.
If the children are older than 12 years old, their ID (or RNE, if it is a foreign child) must be obligatorily presented, since the birth certification is not valid in such cases.
If children are traveling with relatives, an identification document must be presented by the responsible party. A notarized authorization, signed by the parents, is only needed if the child is traveling in the company of someone with no kinship ties.
International Trips
The rules applied for domestic trips also apply for international ones. The main difference is that, if one of the parents is not present during the trip, a notarized authorization, signed by the absent parent, must be presented.
This authorization is also needed when children are traveling from Brazil to another country with familiars or anyone without kinship ties. In this case, the notarized authorization must be signed by both parents and approved by the Jurisdiction for the Childhood and Youth.
Half-Brazilian, Half-Foreigner
After relocating to Brazil, it is possible for a family to get bigger while living in the country. In this case, a child born on Brazilian territory is naturally considered a Brazilian, so regular documentation rules apply.
The general list of documents that a child born in Brazil will need is:
- Birth Certificate
- Vaccination Card
- RG (Registro Geral, the Brazilian ID)
- Passport
- CPF