What is a Power of Attorney and when do I need one

A power of attorney (procuração) is a legal instrument authorizing another person — typically your Brazilian real estate lawyer — to perform specified acts on your behalf, such as signing the escritura pública, submitting registry applications, paying ITBI, and receiving official correspondence from cartórios. Foreign buyers who cannot attend closing in person generally execute a transaction-specific POA rather than traveling for each procedural step.

When you need a POA

Powers granted abroad require Hague Apostille in the country of execution and sworn (juramentada) translation into Portuguese by a certified translator recognized in Brazil. Generic or overly broad powers of attorney are frequently rejected by notaries and registries that require precise enumeration of authorized acts tied to identified property and transaction.

Foreign execution requirements

Counsel drafts scoped powers for international clients, coordinates apostille and translation logistics, validates POA acceptance with the relevant cartório before closing dates, and exercises granted authority throughout property closing and property registration on the client's behalf.