About the Consular Sector

Our role at the Consular Sector is to provide assistance to Brazilian nationals, who are living or temporarily residing in New Zealand, and to issue visas and provide information for foreigners who are travelling to Brazil.

Above all, we assist Brazilian nationals who find themselves in situation of emergency, and make sure that they are up to date with their duties and obligations as citizens of Brazil. Consular services and norms are determined by the Ministry of External Relations in Brazil; by New Zealand legislation; and also by international conventions.

What the Consular Sector Can Do

• Issue visas for foreigners (Visas)
• Authenticate signatures of New Zealand authorities (Legalisation of Original Documents)
• Legalise documents issued by authorities within our jurisdiction (Legalisation of Original Documents), which includes:
  Antipodes Islands, Auckland Island, Chatham Islands, Kermadec Islands, Tokelau, Cook Islands, Niue, Kingdom of Tonga, Independent State of Samoa and Tuvalu.
• Authenticate copies of original Brazilian and New Zealand documents (Authenticated Copies)
• Authenticate the signatures of Brazilian nationals and bearers of a valid Permanent Residency Visa (RNE) (Legalisation of Original Documents)
• Issue documents of notary acts (certificates of birth, death, and marriage; power of attorneys; declarations)
• Issue passports and emergency travel documents
• Enlist Brazilian nationals in the Military Enrolment (Military Service)
• Enlist Brazilian nationals in the Electoral Enrolment  
• Provide assistance to orphaned minors
• Provide assistance to Brazilians who are in distress or are imprisoned
• In the case of imprisonment, ensure that treatment from local authorities is fair and just; also to contact legal representation and family members in Brazil, if desired
• Assist in the case of natural disasters

Most consular services require a consular fee, which is determined by criteria of the Ministry of External Relations (MRE). The fees are regulated by the Secretary Act of the Federal Revenue of Brazil and are collected by the National Treasury (please see the Table of Consular Fees).

What the Consular Sector May Not Do

There are, however, limits to what the Consular Sector may do for you. This may be because there is no legal basis, or because it falls outside of the functions of the Ministry of External Relations.

It is important to be aware of what the Consular Sector cannot do:

• Interfere in visa applications for Brazilians, or denials of entry into New Zealand
• Provide financial assistance for medical, legal, or any other expenses, unless in the case of an emergency
• Provide financial assistance for expenses regarding the burial, cremation, embalming, or transport of remains to Brazil
• Make hotel reservations, make travel arrangements, rent vehicles, or store luggage
• Interfere in matters of a private nature, such as consumer rights or familial issues
• Issue Brazilian identity cards (State Social Security Secretaries), RNE cards (Federal Police Department) or Brazilian drivers licences (State DETRANs or DENETRAN) - these documents may only be issued in Brazil
• Issue declarations of good health
• Issue police clearance certificates (Brazilian Criminal Record)
• Receive applications for positions in public offices
• Represent Brazilian nationals in a New Zealand court
• Receive tax payments (such as IRPF)
• Legalise documents issued outside of the Embassy in Wellington’s jurisdiction
• Effectuate name changes (except surname, by means of presentation of a Brazilian marriage certificate) or lodge divorce proceedings
• Verify the content of documents, such as diploma certificates (the Consular Sector only recognizes signatures or authenticity of documents – Legalisation of Original Documents)

If you are interested in learning about tourism in Brazil, please click here.

If you would like to find out about doing business in Brazil, please see Trade/Economy.

Holidays

In 2013 the Embassy will be closed on the following public holidays: