Why is it necessary to legalize a document?

     In order to be legally valid in Brazil, a foreign document needs to have its authenticity validated by the Brazilian Consular Authority, otherwise it will not be legally recognized by Brazilian authorities.

How to legalize a document?

     Except for school transcripts, diplomas and official documents (i.e. documents issued by a local authority), before  submission to the Consular Section Officer, documents to be authenticated must first be legalized by either a Notary Public of Hong Kong or Macau or any of the institutions listed below:

1/ THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
2/ THE CHINESE MANUFACTURER'S ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG
3/ THE CHINESE GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF HONG KONG
4/ FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES
5/ THE INDIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF HONG KONG
6/ AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT

     Only original documents issued in Hong Kong or Macau can be authenticated by the Consulate General in Hong Kong. Photocopies will be certified as a true copy of the original. Interested parties must present the documents in person to the Consular Section, as no requests will be processed by mail. Upon cash payment of a HK$200.00 consular fee per signature, consular legalizations are normally processed within two working days.