Brazilian residence for your spouse and children: family reunification

Reviewed: October 16, 2026

How to obtain Brazilian residence for your spouse and children when one family member is already a resident

A spouse, a partner in a documented stable union and the children of a Brazilian resident may qualify for a residence permit through family reunification, reunião familiar. Each applicant needs their family relationship, the sponsor’s residence basis and their own documents checked. One person’s residence permit does not automatically grant residence to the rest of the family. Who can apply: Polícia Federal guidance

Start with two questions: on what basis was the first family member granted residence, and when does that permission expire? These details determine whether the family route is available and how long the new permits will last.

Reviewed on 16 October 2026. This article describes the general procedure; unusual family circumstances need individual assessment.

Who is the sponsoring relative?

PF documents use two terms:

• Chamante: the Brazilian citizen or foreign resident whom the family is joining.
• Chamado: the relative applying for residence.

A spouse relies on marriage; an unmarried partner relies on a documented união estável. A resident’s own child and their stepchild are listed as separate categories. A stepchild may qualify if under 18, up to and including age 24 with proof of student status, or at any age with proof of financial dependence. The provision for the resident’s own child does not contain the same age restriction. PF’s list of categories

The statement “all children must be under 18” is therefore too narrow. When preparing documents, identify the exact relationship to the sponsor: their own child, their spouse’s child or another family relationship.

When the sponsor’s status limits the application

Under the general rule, family residence is not granted if the chamante themselves obtained residence through family reunification or holds an autorização provisória de residência. That latter status must not be confused with an ordinary fixed-term residence permit, por prazo determinado. Decreto No. 9.199/2017, article 153, § 2

For example, if one spouse obtained residence on an independent basis and the other joined through the family route, it is important to identify the correct sponsor for a child’s application. Do not assume that a chain of successive family permits is available.

If the first resident’s basis is unclear, check the residence decision and registration details. Possession of a plastic card alone is not enough to choose the route. Disputed application of the restriction requires advice from a Brazilian lawyer.

How long will the spouse’s and children’s permits last?

If the foreign sponsor has a fixed-term permit, the family permit expires on the same date. If the sponsor’s residence permission is indefinite, the family permit is also granted for an indefinite period. Decreto No. 9.199/2017, article 153, §§ 4–5

In practical terms, if little time remains on the sponsor’s permit, plan its renewal ahead. Do not base your family budget on the assumption that each relative will receive a fresh full year from their application date.

Which documents should you prepare?

For an application within Brazil, use the current Polícia Federal checklist. A working list usually includes:

• The application, the applicant’s identity document and the required details of their parents.
• A marriage or birth certificate establishing the relationship with the sponsor.
• The sponsor’s document and a declaration that they live in Brazil.
• For spouses and partners: a joint declaration that their actual union and life together continue.
• Criminal record certificates covering the required period and the corresponding declaration, taking account of exceptions for minors.
• Proof of financial dependence where required.
• Receipts for applicable fees and other documents required for the selected procedure.

Do not simply copy an adult’s checklist for a child. PF’s page provides age-related exceptions for criminal record documents; a legal representative may sign the application. Before booking an appointment, check the representation requirements for your particular circumstances. PF documents and forms

Foreign documents generally require an apostille or consular legalization and translation into Portuguese by a Brazilian sworn translator, a tradutor público juramentado. Applicable international agreements may provide exceptions. Confirm the required document format before paying for preparation and translation. PF rules for foreign documents

Check the spelling of names across all certificates. If a surname has changed, prepare documents linking the former and current names. For a family application, it helps to keep an individual checklist for each person and a shared list of documents used more than once.

How to prove união estável

PF accepts a document from the competent authority in the country of origin, or confirmation from a competent Brazilian court or the corresponding authority abroad.

If those documents cannot be provided, an alternative package is available: a civil registry document or foreign equivalent, statements from two witnesses and at least one additional piece of evidence. PF’s examples include a joint bank account, a lease naming both partners, certain insurance documents or the birth certificate of the couple’s foreign child. Detailed rules for proving união estável

A joint lease is part of that alternative package. It should not be treated as a substitute for the entire process. Before ordering documents, compare the evidence you have with the specific option in the checklist.

Steps to follow

1. Check the sponsor’s status, the family relationship and the permit’s expiry date.
2. Identify where to apply. A foreign national or visitor in Brazil may apply to PF for family residence; a visa application abroad follows the consular procedure. Portaria No. 12/2018, articles 3 and 5
3. Prepare each applicant’s documents and compare them with the current checklist.
4. For the PF procedure, complete the electronic application, pay applicable fees, book an appointment and present the documents as instructed by the service. Keep confirmations and check for requests for additional information. Official application service
5. After a favourable decision, complete the applicable registration and CRNM issuance steps. Track each family member’s application separately through to completion.

The sponsor’s and relatives’ residence applications may be submitted at the same time. However, granting family residence depends on the sponsor being granted residence first. This allows coordinated planning; it does not guarantee that all applications will be completed together. Portaria No. 12/2018, article 6, §§ 3–4

A person granted family residence may work, including in paid activities, subject to the law. Decreto No. 9.199/2017, article 153, § 10

Where to start preparing

For an initial assessment, prepare a short summary: each family member’s nationality and location, their family relationships, and the basis and duration of the current residence permission. It is better to share passport scans and children’s documents after agreeing on a secure way to exchange them.

For an overview of residence grounds and the application process, see the guide to Brazilian residence. If you need administrative help preparing and organizing an application, confirm what the support includes; service pricing is listed separately. Government fees, translations and legalization need a separate calculation.

This article does not replace individual legal advice. The competent authority makes the decision; processing times and approval cannot be guaranteed in advance.