Access to origins
This page quotes the Brazilian Ministry of Justice page for people adopted in Brazil who live abroad.
The Federal Central Administrative Authority (ACAF) receives the request and forwards it to the State Central Authority where the adoption took place.
Original text«A ACAF encaminhará o pedido para a Autoridade Central Estadual onde ocorreu a adoção, que, por sua vez, realizará consultas junto à Vara de adoção responsável pelo processo adotivo.»Unofficial translation«ACAF will forward the request to the State Central Authority where the adoption took place, which in turn will consult the adoption court responsible for the case.»The adopted person, with unrestricted access to the case file from age 18. Under 18, access may be granted at their own request, with legal and psychological guidance and assistance (Child and Adolescent Statute, art. 48).
Original text«Art. 48. O adotado tem direito de conhecer sua origem biológica, bem como de obter acesso irrestrito ao processo no qual a medida foi aplicada e seus eventuais incidentes, após completar 18 (dezoito) anos. Parágrafo único. O acesso ao processo de adoção poderá ser também deferido ao adotado menor de 18 (dezoito) anos, a seu pedido, assegurada orientação e assistência jurídica e psicológica.»Unofficial translation«Art. 48. The adoptee has the right to know their biological origin and to obtain unrestricted access to the case in which the measure was applied and any related proceedings, after turning 18 (eighteen). Sole paragraph. Access to the adoption case may also be granted to an adoptee under 18 (eighteen), at their request, with legal and psychological guidance and assistance ensured.»For under-18s the law ensures legal and psychological guidance and assistance. For adults, the official source cited does not mention counselling.
Original text«assegurada orientação e assistência jurídica e psicológica.»Unofficial translation«with legal and psychological guidance and assistance ensured.»By form, emailed to ACAF with a recent identity document. Processing is electronic and free of charge. The page warns that no legal obligation guarantees the request will be met.
Original text«O formulário, acompanhado de um documento de identidade recente e de outros documentos que possam auxiliar nas buscas, deve ser encaminhado para o endereço eletrônico adocao.acaf@mj.gov.br. Todo o processamento do requerimento ocorre de forma eletrônica e gratuita. […] Importante: Não há obrigação legal, prevista no ordenamento jurídico brasileiro, que garanta o atendimento do pedido de acesso às origens biológicas.»Unofficial translation«The form, together with a recent identity document and any other documents that may help the search, must be sent to adocao.acaf@mj.gov.br. All processing of the request is electronic and free of charge. […] Important: there is no legal obligation under Brazilian law that guarantees the request for access to biological origins will be met.»The official source cited does not say.
The official source cited does not say.
The official source cited does not say.
The source quotes the mother's right to secrecy about the birth (Statute, art. 19-A §9) and states that, if the birth family is located, disclosing the location or any approach depends on the located person's consent.
Original text«§ 9º. É garantido à mãe o direito ao sigilo sobre o nascimento, respeitado o disposto no art. 48 desta Lei. […] Nos casos em que for possível localizar a família biológica, a divulgação de informações sobre sua localização e/ou a possibilidade de aproximação dependerão, ainda, do consentimento da pessoa localizada.»Unofficial translation«§ 9. The mother is guaranteed the right to secrecy about the birth, subject to article 48 of this Law. […] Where the birth family can be located, disclosure of information about their whereabouts and/or the possibility of an approach will also depend on the consent of the person located.»ACAF (see “I was adopted”).
The official source cited does not say.
The official source cited does not say.
The official source cited does not say.