Legal framework in Brazil
Provisional Measure 2.200-2/2001 created ICP-Brasil and recognized the validity of electronic signatures, and Law 14,063/2020 defines simple, advanced and qualified signatures. A signature compliant with the Civil Code and MP 2.200-2 has the same effect as a handwritten one.
Legal framework
MP 2.200-2/2001 (ICP-Brasil) and Law 14,063/2020
How the legal framework evolved in Brazil
2001
MP 2,200-2 creates ICP-Brasil, the national digital-certification infrastructure.
2020
Law 14,063: defines simple, advanced and qualified signatures for dealings with the public sector.
2020s
The gov.br platform offers citizens a free electronic signature, mainstreaming digital documents.
Types of electronic signature in Brazil
Simple electronic signature
Identifies the signer by electronic means. Law 14,063/2020 admits it for most interactions; private contracts follow the Civil Code's freedom of form.
Advanced electronic signature
Associates validation data under the signer's exclusive control and detects later alterations — the level Firmiu's audit trail targets.
Qualified signature (ICP-Brasil)
With a digital certificate from the ICP-Brasil infrastructure (e-CPF, e-CNPJ). It enjoys full legal presumption and is required for certain public and registry acts.
What makes a signature valid in Brazil?
A simple signature is valid between private parties; the qualified one (with an ICP-Brasil certificate) enjoys a presumption of authenticity. Firmiu adds an audit trail to every signature: IP, device, location and verification.
Which documents can you sign in Brazil?
Can be signed electronically
- Service agreements
- Lease agreements (locação)
- Employment contracts and HR documents
- Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs)
- Estimates and purchase orders
- Private corporate agreements
Usually require a notary or handwritten signature
- Real-estate sales (they require a public deed at a cartório)
- Wills
- Acts requiring a public instrument
- Certain registrations that demand an ICP-Brasil certificate
These lists are indicative: the document type and applicable law determine each case.
How to sign documents in Brazil
Upload your PDF
Upload the document and enter the name and email of the person who must sign.
The signer receives a link
They get an email with a unique link and a verification code.
Signed document
The PDF is signed with its audit trail, ready to download.
Frequently asked questions
- Are electronic signatures legal in Brazil?
- Yes. MP 2.200-2/2001 and Law 14,063/2020 grant them legal validity.
- What is ICP-Brasil?
- The public-key infrastructure that backs qualified signatures with a presumption of authenticity.
- Do they work for private contracts?
- Yes, the simple signature is valid for most agreements between private parties.
- Do I need an ICP-Brasil certificate (e-CPF) to sign contracts?
- Not for private contracts: case law and the Civil Code admit electronic signatures with reliability evidence. The ICP-Brasil certificate is only required for specific acts.
- Can I sign a lease electronically in Brazil?
- Yes. Leases can be executed electronically; the audit trail proves authorship and integrity.
- What is the gov.br signature?
- A free advanced electronic signature for citizens, designed for public-sector procedures. For commercial contracts, tools like Firmiu handle the full audited flow.
- Can an electronically signed contract be enforced directly?
- Brazilian courts have admitted electronic contracts as evidence and even as enforceable instruments when the signing evidence is solid.
Official sources
The information on this page is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. The validity of an electronic signature depends on the applicable legislation and the document type; for specific cases, consult a legal professional.
Guide reviewed and updated: July 2026.
Electronic signatures by profession
Guides for the industries that sign the most documents in Brazil.
Related guides
Are electronic signatures legal? What you need to know
Electronic signatures are legal across Latin America, Spain and the United States. Here's what makes them valid and where they're recognized.
Types of electronic signature: simple, advanced and qualified
Not all electronic signatures are the same. Here are the three levels and which one you need for each document.
What documents can you sign electronically
Electronic signatures work for far more documents than you'd think. Here are the most common ones and the exceptions.
Electronic signature in other countries
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