Are you planning to get married in Brazil? If so, you might need to obtain a Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) first. In this article, we’ll explain what a CNI is, why you need one, and how to apply for it.
What is a Certificate of No Impediment?
A Certificate of No Impediment (also called a Certificate of Nulla Osta or a Certificate of Freedom to Marry) is a document that states that you are free to marry and that there are no legal impediments to your marriage. This document is issued by your home country’s embassy or consulate in Brazil, and it’s required by Brazilian authorities before you can get married in Brazil.
To obtain a CNI, you need to prove that you are legally eligible to marry. This means that you must be of legal age to marry (18 years old or older), you must not be already married, and you must not be closely related to your intended spouse. You’ll also need to provide some personal documents, such as your passport and birth certificate.
Why do you need a Certificate of No Impediment?
In Brazil, a CNI is a legal requirement for getting married. Brazilian authorities will not perform a marriage ceremony without this document. Additionally, many other countries require a CNI if you want to get married there as a foreigner. Therefore, even if you’re not planning to get married in Brazil, you might still need to obtain a CNI if you’re a Brazilian citizen planning to get married abroad.
How to apply for a Certificate of No Impediment in Brazil?
To apply for a CNI in Brazil, you’ll need to contact your home country’s embassy or consulate. You can usually find their contact information on their website. Once you’ve contacted them, they’ll provide you with a list of required documents and instructions on how to apply.
The application process can take several weeks, so it’s important to start early. You’ll need to provide personal documents, such as your passport and birth certificate, as well as proof that you’re legally eligible to marry. This might include a statement from your local authorities stating that you’re not already married and that there are no legal impediments to your marriage.
Once you’ve submitted your application, the embassy or consulate will review it and issue a CNI if everything is in order. The document will be in your native language (or in Portuguese, if requested), and it will need to be authenticated by the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs before it can be used in Brazil.
Conclusion
If you’re planning to get married in Brazil, obtaining a Certificate of No Impediment is a crucial step in the process. This document proves that you’re legally eligible to marry and that there are no legal impediments to your marriage. The application process can take several weeks, so it’s important to start early and provide all the necessary documents. If you’re a Brazilian citizen planning to get married abroad, you might also need to obtain a CNI from your home country’s embassy or consulate.
