Brazil/Mexico: Whether a Mexican citizen whose father is Brazilian can obtain residency or citizenship in Brazil, and the process for acquiring that status
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa |
| Publication Date | 15 June 2009 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | ZZZ103186.FE |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Brazil/Mexico: Whether a Mexican citizen whose father is Brazilian can obtain residency or citizenship in Brazil, and the process for acquiring that status, 15 June 2009, ZZZ103186.FE, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4a7040b5a.html [accessed 21 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Article 12 of the Brazilian Constitution states that a child born abroad to a Brazilian parent obtains citizenship [translation] "if it is demonstrated that one of the child's parents is in the service of the Federative Republic of Brazil or that the parents reside in Brazil and the child will opt for Brazilian citizenship" (Brazil 1988).
In an 11 June 2009 telephone interview with the Research Directorate, an officer with the Consular Section of the Embassy of Brazil in Ottawa explained that the parent of Brazilian origin must register the child with the Brazilian embassy or consulate in the child's country of birth before the child reaches the age of 12 years. If the child is not registered before the age of 12 years, the child may be registered only in Brazil (Brazil 11 June 2009.). The information in the following paragraphs was obtained during this telephone interview.
The Brazilian parent is responsible for submitting the documents required to register the child with Brazilian authorities (see also Brazil 2008). The Brazilian parent is also responsible for sending the document to the Civil Registry of Brazil (Cartório do Registro Civil) in order to have the child legally registered. When a minor child who has been registered with the Brazilian authorities reaches the age of majority (18 years), the child must decide whether he or she wishes to retain Brazilian citizenship.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Brazil. 11 June 2009. Embassy of Brazil in Ottawa. Telephone interview with a consular officer.
_____. 2008. Consulate of Brazil in Toronto. "Consular Services."
_____. 1988. Federative Republic of Brazil 1988 Constitution. (Political Database of the Americas, PDBA).
Additional Source Consulted
Internet sites, including: Website of the Consulate of Brazil in Toronto.
