Your CRNM, the Federal Police, the deadlines — handled in English.
ZS Advogados is led by the first American to pass Brazil's Bar — a lawyer who immigrated to Brazil himself and learned this system from the outside in, the way you're learning it now. We prepare your documents, handle the Federal Police registration or RNM renewal, and tell you exactly which deadlines you're facing. You work with your lawyer directly, in your own language — nothing gets lost in translation. Send us your situation and you'll get a clear next step.
Message us and we'll answer your questions about your situation and next steps — and set up a consultation if it's the right fit.
Or book a paid 60-min consultation — US$300A full private video session with a Brazil-licensed lawyer (OAB/SP 351.356). Choose a time that works for you.
- 1st American admitted to the OAB
- 1,200+ cases handled
- 15+ years
- OAB/SP 351.356
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Staring at a Federal Police deadline? Start here.
The CRNM (Carteira de Registro Nacional Migratório) is the identity card the Federal Police issues to prove your authorized residence in Brazil. It's governed by the Lei nº 13.445/2017 (Lei de Migração) and its Decreto nº 9.199/2017, and it replaced the old RNE. The law itself is rarely the hard part. The deadlines, the apostilles, the sworn translations, and the Federal Police appointment are — all in a language and a system that aren't yours. That's exactly the gap we close.
We've handled this for people standing exactly where you're standing. Our founding partner, Zac Zagol, is the first American to pass Brazil's Bar (OAB) — he immigrated to Brazil himself, so he knows what the paperwork and the not-knowing feel like from the inside. You speak to your lawyer directly, in English. Nothing about your case gets lost in translation, and we tell you upfront which steps genuinely require your presence and which we handle for you.
We map your pathway — family reunion, work, investor, retirement, study, or digital-nomad — then prepare the documents, coordinate apostille and sworn translation, handle the Federal Police registration or RNM renewal, and stay with you through post-approval compliance like CPF and tax-residency questions. With a power of attorney (procuração), much of this gets done while you stay right where you are. We also coordinate with consulates abroad for applicants filing before arrival.
Common Residence Pathways
Family Reunion
Spouse or stable-union partner, parents and minor children, with or without prior Brazilian visa.
Work-Based
Employer-sponsored, intra-company transfer, or technical-assistance assignments.
Investor
Investment-based residence under the CNIg resolutions and the Lei de Migração.
Digital Nomad / Retirement
Remote-work pathway for digital nomads, or retirement pathway with proof of stable foreign income.
How it works
A clear path from first call to the day your CRNM card arrives. The exact steps depend on your pathway and where you're filing from — we confirm the current requirements with you before anything is submitted.
- 1
Initial review
We talk through your situation — family reunion, work, investor, retirement, study, or digital-nomad — flag the likely path, and tell you honestly whether we can help.
- 2
Documents
We give you a checklist tailored to your case and help you gather, apostille, and arrange the sworn (juramentada) translation of what's needed.
- 3
Filing
We prepare and submit your residence application to the relevant Brazilian authority — and coordinate with consulates abroad where your pathway starts before arrival.
- 4
Federal Police step
We track the process and respond to requests. Timelines vary by region and processing load, so we keep you updated as the registration and card issuance move.
- 5
After approval
We guide the follow-up steps — such as your CPF and tax-residency questions — and stay available for renewal of your CRNM down the line.
Not sure which pathway fits your case?
Tell us your situation and we'll walk you through the residence path that applies to you.
What you'll need
Most residence cases draw on the same core documents. Think of this as a starting point — the exact list depends on your pathway, and we confirm the current requirements with you.
- A valid passport
- A criminal background check from your home country
- Civil documents (e.g. birth or marriage certificate), apostilled
- A sworn (juramentada) translation of your foreign documents
- A CPF (Brazilian tax ID) — we can help you obtain one
- Proof of a Brazilian address
- Your consular visa or residence authorization, where your pathway requires one
Your case may need more or fewer documents. We give you a tailored checklist before you start gathering anything.
Where foreigners commonly get stuck
A few things trip people up more than others on the road to a CRNM. Knowing them early makes the process smoother — here's what careful handling looks like.
Documents that aren't apostilled or sworn-translated
Foreign documents often need an apostille and a sworn (juramentada) translation to be accepted by the Federal Police. Sorting the right format up front avoids back-and-forth later.
Translating documents the wrong way
A regular translation usually isn't enough where a sworn one is required. We tell you which documents need which, before you spend on translation.
Missing the Federal Police registration step
Registering with the Federal Police after your residence is granted is easy to overlook in the first weeks, alongside getting a CPF. We flag the sequence so nothing slips.
Assuming every pathway follows the same rules
Requirements vary by residence pathway and can change over time. We confirm the current ones for your case rather than relying on a generic checklist.
Useful terms
- CRNM
- Carteira de Registro Nacional Migratório — the ID card the Federal Police issues to prove your authorized residence in Brazil.
- RNM
- Registro Nacional Migratório — the migratory registry that the CRNM card evidences for foreign residents.
- RNE (former)
- Registro Nacional de Estrangeiro — the earlier foreigner-registration document that the CRNM replaced.
- Lei de Migração
- Brazil's migration law, the framework that governs how foreigners enter, reside in, and register in Brazil.
- Procuração
- A power of attorney — lets us act on your behalf so much can be handled remotely.
- Apostille
- An international certification that authenticates a public document so it can be recognized in another country, used between countries party to the Hague Apostille Convention.
- Naturalization
- The legal process by which a foreign resident can become a Brazilian citizen.
- Polícia Federal
- The federal authority where foreign residents register and receive their CRNM.
Meet Your Legal Team
Zachariah Zagol
Founding Partner — OAB/SP
The first American to pass Brazil's Bar Exam. LL.M. from USC. Over 15 years helping foreigners navigate Brazilian law.
Karina Peres Silverio
Partner — OAB/SP 331.050
Specialist in immigration, real estate, and international law. Fluent in English and Portuguese.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CRNM and how does it differ from a visa?
How long does the Federal Police take to issue the CRNM?
Do I need to apply abroad or can I apply in Brazil?
What documents do I need from my home country?
When can I apply for Brazilian citizenship?
Can you handle my CRNM if I'm not in Brazil yet?
Do my documents need to be translated?
How long will the whole process take?
Which languages do you work in?
Tell us where your CRNM stands — in English.
First registration, RNM renewal, or unsure which deadline applies to you — send us a short description of your situation and the documents you have on hand. You'll talk directly to a licensed Brazilian lawyer, in English, and leave with a clear view of your next step. From wherever you are, we can begin.