Service of process on a foreign company in Brazil
Disputes · 2026-05-27
Summary
When a foreign company has a resident legal representative with procedural authority, Brazilian service of process may be completed through that representative without letters rogatory, and procedural deadlines begin to run normally.
When there is no resident representative
Without a resident representative authorized to receive service, the court may issue letters rogatory, a process that can take 6 to 18 months. The foreign company may still face urgent interim decisions during that period.
Frequently asked questions
- Can the resident attorney-in-fact refuse service of process?
- No. If the power of attorney includes authority to receive service, the act is effective when delivered to the attorney-in-fact.