Bureaucratic procedures for death certificates and probate in Brazil

Following a death, families in Brazil must navigate several bureaucratic procedures, including obtaining death certificates and managing the distribution of assets through probate (inventário).

In Rio Grande do Sul, death certificates can be requested either in person at the registry office where the death was recorded or through digital channels. Online requests require personal details, the specific registry information, and payment, offering both digital and physical delivery options.

Regarding asset distribution, the law suggests starting the probate process within 60 days of death to avoid potential taxes on inheritance (ITCMD). There are two main paths: judicial inventory, which is handled by a judge and can take one to five years, and extrajudicial inventory, which is conducted at a notary office. The extrajudicial route is significantly faster, typically taking 30 to 90 days, provided all heirs are capable adults, in agreement, and there is no dispute or will involved. Legal representation by a lawyer is required for these processes.