i want to marry in state RIO .  i am american. what exactly i need ?  a list of sorts for clarity ?  THX

Hey Frank, you're absolutely right about checking with the cartorio. But you can't shop them. Each cartorio has a certain jurisdiction, and you/your fiancé(e) have to prove(with a utility bill) that you live in their jurisdiction. Otherwise, you're wasting your time, by trying to go to the one with the best deal.

Kurtz,

I did more digging, and the State of Rio de Janeiro has the same documentation requirements that São Paulo does. If you go to the "Normas de Serviço da Corregedoria Geral da Justiça do Estado de Rio de Janeiro" on Google(This is the operations manual for any cartorio in the state of Rio de Janeiro. If you don't live either in the state of Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo, insert the name of the state where you live in the title, and look it up on Google.)

http://cgj.tjrj.jus.br/documents/1017893/1038412/CNCGJ-Extrajudicial.pdf

(page 239) Título IV, Capítulo IV - Do Casamento Seção 1, Art. 753 You'll find that the ACTUAL requirements for estrangeiros(foreigners) are the same as they are in the state of São Paulo. If they tell you something else, hand them this page, and ask them to ask the magistrate/judge if they don't agree with you. If you use Google Chrome, just pull up the page, then right click on it, and you can have it translated for you, if your Portuguese isn't all that good. When you go to the Consulado in Rio, if you're divorced, be sure to have them include name of your ex, and the date the divorce was final. (Yes, I know it's superfluous information, but it will placate the cartorio personnel.) Just the consular certificate should be sufficient as it was when I received it, but...

Boa sorte!!

Edited by DonVito - 24 January 2012 at 09:17

Originally posted by Kurtz THANKS Don Vito. Looking for catorio in Niteroi area. I am American and want to marry in Niteroi, Rio state. Don, heres what I need ?  My Port not so good thou.   http://cgj.tjrj.jus.br/documents/1017893/1038412/CNCGJ-Extrajudicial.pdf   What I Need ..... ??? <SPAN lang=EN>- Original Birth certificate ( Translated to Portuguese) - Copy of Passport with Valid Visa- Document of Residence ( Utility Bill in Niteroi ) </SPAN>

Hey krutz you also need to get you Civil status as well to prove that you are not married

Originally posted by DonVito Hey Frank, you're absolutely right about checking with the cartorio. But you can't shop them. Each cartorio has a certain jurisdiction, and you/your fiancé(e) have to prove(with a utility bill) that you live in their jurisdiction. Otherwise, you're wasting your time, by trying to go to the one with the best deal.

I cartorio-shopped and I've been fine so far.  Still crossing fingers that it will go through.  I live in Goiania.

Also, in my opinion, you'll never comply with the laws, so don't bother trying.  Hire a despechante to walk you through the process.

Well, I never said I was infallible... lol Tark, if you were able to do it, GREAT !! Then, I guess it's always worth a try. Did they ask you where you lived ? Maybe they aren't as picky up there, as they seem to be down here in Sampa. What's the going rate for a despachante (approximately)?

I sent Kurtz the same answer about the consular certificate too.