You found a “lawyer” online who promises to handle your visa, property purchase, or CPF registration in Brazil. They sound professional. They quote a reasonable fee. But how do you know they are actually licensed to practice law? For foreigners, this question is not paranoia. It is essential protection.
Here is the single most important fact: in Brazil, no one can legally practice law without a valid registration with the Ordem dos Advogados do Brasil (OAB), the Brazilian Bar Association. Verifying this credential is 100% free, takes about 2 minutes online, and requires no login and no CPF.
This matters because a common scam targets expats: fake “despachantes” (document couriers) or self-styled “immigration consultants” who charge lawyer fees but hold no OAB registration. If an unlicensed person files your case, signs your contract, or gives you paid legal advice, the legal acts can be declared null and void under Brazilian law. You could lose money, time, and your legal position.
By the end of this guide, you will know exactly how to check any Brazilian lawyer’s OAB number on the official national database, how to decode the results, and what red flags mean you should walk away. You can do all of this from abroad, before you sign anything.
What Is the OAB and Why Is This Verification So Critical?
The OAB (Ordem dos Advogados do Brasil) is the national bar association that licenses and regulates every practicing lawyer in Brazil. Under Law 8.906/1994 (the Statute of Advocacy), practicing law without OAB registration is illegal. Any legal act performed by an unregistered person is null and void, which can invalidate your entire case or contract.
Brazil operates under Civil Law, a Roman-Germanic system, not Common Law like the United States or the United Kingdom. This shapes how lawyers are certified and controlled. To become an advogado (lawyer), a person must complete a law degree, pass the demanding national OAB Bar Exam (Exame de Ordem), and register with the OAB section in a specific state.
The result of that registration is an OAB number, formatted like “OAB/SP 123.456”, where “SP” identifies the state (São Paulo, in this example). Every real lawyer has one. No exceptions.
You can read the full text of the Statute of Advocacy on the official government portal [Law 8.906/1994 on Planalto
](https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/l8906.htm). The key point for you: registration is mandatory, and the consequences of hiring an unregistered person are legal invalidity plus lost money.
Warning: A “despachante” (document expediter) can legally help you stand in bureaucratic queues and submit forms, but they cannot represent you in court, sign legal petitions, or give paid legal advice. If a despachante charges lawyer-level fees to “handle your case,” that is a red flag.
For foreigners, the stakes are higher. You may not speak Portuguese fluently, you may not understand Brazilian court procedure, and you have no instinct for what a credible lawyer looks like. An OAB check is your simplest and most reliable defense. If you are still planning your relocation, our full guide to moving to Brazil for foreigners covers CPF, visas, and documents in one place.
How Much Does OAB Verification Cost and How Long Does It Take?
OAB verification costs R$ 0.00. It is completely free. The search takes 2-5 minutes on the official OAB national portal, requires no login, no CPF, and no registration of your own. You can run the check from anywhere in the world, before you sign any contract or transfer any money.
This is important because unlicensed operators sometimes claim that “verifying credentials” is complicated, costs money, or requires access they conveniently have. None of that is true. The Cadastro Nacional dos Advogados (National Registry of Lawyers) is a public database, freely searchable.
Compare that cost to what you risk losing. Imagine paying a fake “lawyer” R$ 80,000 (roughly USD 14,000) to handle a property purchase. If they are not OAB-registered, the sales contract and the registration at the cartório (notary office) may be legally invalid. You could lose the property, the money, or both, and have no easy recourse.
Example: A free 2-minute check protects an R$ 80,000 transaction. That is the best return on your time you will get anywhere in Brazilian bureaucracy. Always run the search before your first payment, not after.
How Do You Verify a Brazilian Lawyer’s OAB Registration Online?
To verify a Brazilian lawyer, go to the official national portal at cna.oab.org.br (Cadastro Nacional dos Advogados), enter the lawyer’s full name or OAB number, click “Pesquisar” (Search), and review the result. A valid, active lawyer shows a name, photo, OAB number, state, and registration status, all for free in under 5 minutes.
Step 1: Collect the Lawyer’s Essential Information
Before you search, ask the lawyer directly for their OAB number and the state (UF) of registration. A real lawyer provides this instantly and without hesitation. Hesitation, excuses, or vague answers are themselves a warning sign.
- Full name (nome completo)
- OAB number (número de inscrição)
- State of registration (UF, e.g., SP, RJ, DF)
You do not need all three. Even the full name alone is usually enough to find them in the database. If you have the OAB number and state, the search is even faster and more precise.
Step 2: Access the Official OAB Verification Portal
Open the official national registry at cna.oab.org.br. This is the Cadastro Nacional dos Advogados, maintained by the OAB itself. It is the only source that matters. Do not rely on screenshots, PDF “certificates,” or a lawyer’s own website as proof. Go to the source.
Tip: Bookmark the cna.oab.org.br address. Scammers sometimes create lookalike websites with slightly different URLs. Always type the address yourself or use your saved bookmark rather than clicking a link the “lawyer” sends you.
Step 3: Run the Search and Decode the Results
Enter the name, OAB number, or state, then click “Pesquisar” (Search). Review what appears. A legitimate, active lawyer will show the following details:
- Full name and, in most cases, a photo
- OAB number and state (e.g., OAB/SP 123.456)
- Registration type: “Advogado” (lawyer) is what you want
- Registration status: “Regular” means active and in good standing
Watch the status field carefully. “Regular” is good. Other statuses signal problems you must not ignore:
- Suspenso (suspended): the lawyer is temporarily barred from practicing, often due to disciplinary action or unpaid dues.
- Licenciado (on leave): voluntarily inactive, cannot currently practice.
- Cancelado (cancelled): registration terminated. This person cannot practice at all.
- Estagiário (trainee): a law student registered as an intern, who can only act under a supervising lawyer’s oversight, not independently.
Important: Match the photo and full name in the database to the person you are dealing with. Scammers sometimes borrow a real lawyer’s OAB number. If the photo does not match, or the name differs from the person signing your documents, stop immediately.
What Should You Do If Something Doesn’t Look Right?
If the search returns no results, a “cancelado” or “suspenso” status, or a photo that does not match the person you are dealing with, stop all payments and communication about legal work immediately. Under Law 8.906/1994, legal acts by unregistered persons are null and void, and illegal practice of law is a criminal misdemeanor in Brazil.
First, do not assume it is a technical glitch. Re-run the search using different terms: try the OAB number instead of the name, or the name instead of the number. Names can have accents or variations, so try alternate spellings. If you still find nothing after honest attempts, treat that as a serious red flag.
Second, ask the person directly and watch the reaction. A real lawyer will happily clarify, perhaps their registration is in a different state, or they use a professional name. An unlicensed operator will get defensive, change the subject, or pressure you to proceed quickly.
Third, if you confirm the person is not a licensed lawyer but has been charging you legal fees or acting as your representative, you can report the illegal practice to the local OAB section (Seccional) in the relevant state. The illegal practice of a profession is a misdemeanor under Brazil’s Criminal Misdemeanors Law.
Caution: Never let anyone rush you past the verification step. High-pressure tactics (“we must sign today or you lose the deal”) are a classic manipulation used to skip due diligence. A legitimate professional respects your need to verify their credentials.
If money has already changed hands, a licensed Brazilian lawyer can advise you on recovering funds and on the validity of any documents that were signed. Do not try to untangle this alone from abroad.
What Else Should You Check Beyond the OAB Database?
Beyond confirming OAB registration, verify the lawyer’s firm, their area of specialization, and their professional digital footprint. A registered lawyer with no relevant experience in your matter, immigration, real estate, corporate law, may be licensed but still the wrong fit. Due diligence takes an extra 15-20 minutes and prevents costly mismatches.
Verify Their Firm and Specialization: Verify brazilian lawyer
Brazilian law is broad, and lawyers usually specialize. A lawyer excellent at labor litigation may know little about immigration or foreign investment. Ask directly: “How many foreign clients have you handled in matters like mine?” Ask for the firm’s name and, if it is a law firm (sociedade de advogados), that firm also has an OAB registration and a CNPJ (the company tax ID).
You can request documents such as the lawyer’s RG (national ID) and CPF (individual taxpayer ID) to confirm identity, and the firm’s CNPJ to confirm it is a legitimate registered business. Reputable firms provide these without drama.
Check Their Professional Digital Footprint
Search the lawyer’s name and firm online. Look for a consistent professional presence: a website, LinkedIn profile, published articles, or client reviews. Consistency across sources is reassuring. A total absence of any footprint, or details that contradict what they told you, deserves scrutiny.
For foreigners, one practical filter is bilingual capacity. If you do not speak Portuguese, you need a lawyer who genuinely communicates in your language, not one who relies on machine translation for legal documents. Legal precision matters, and a mistranslated clause can cost you dearly.
Tip: Ask for a written engagement letter or service contract (contrato de honorários) that states the scope of work, the fees, and the lawyer’s OAB number. A clear written contract protects both sides and is standard practice for reputable Brazilian lawyers.
OAB Verification vs. Common Mistakes: A Quick Comparison
The table below compares reliable verification methods against the shortcuts that get foreigners scammed. The only method that carries legal weight is checking the official OAB national registry.
| Verification Method | Reliable? | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official OAB registry (cna.oab.org.br) | Yes, definitive | R$ 0.00 | The only source that legally matters |
| State OAB section (Seccional) website | Yes | R$ 0.00 | Useful for local disciplinary records |
| PDF “certificate” the lawyer sends you | No | Free but worthless | Easily forged, verify at source instead |
| The lawyer’s own website claims | No | Free | Marketing, not proof of registration |
| A verbal assurance (“trust me”) | No | Free | Meaningless without the OAB number |
Verify brazilian lawyer: What Changed in 2026 for OAB Verification?
As of 2026, OAB verification remains free and available through the national portal cna.oab.org.br. The core legal framework under Law 8.906/1994 (the Statute of Advocacy) is unchanged: OAB registration is still mandatory, and acts by unregistered persons are still null and void. The main evolution is improved digital access and mobile usability.
The OAB has continued modernizing the National Registry of Lawyers, making name and number searches faster and more mobile-friendly. Many state sections (Seccionais) now publish disciplinary decisions online, so you can sometimes check whether a lawyer has faced ethics proceedings.
There is also greater public awareness of scams targeting foreigners, particularly around visa services, property purchases, and CPF registration. Brazilian courts continue to treat the illegal practice of law seriously, consistent with the Statute of Advocacy and the Criminal Misdemeanors Law.
Note: The verification process itself has not become more complicated. If anyone tells you that checking OAB registration in 2026 now requires payment, a special account, or their personal help, that claim is false and is itself a warning sign.
Step-by-Step Practical Guide to Verifying Your Lawyer
Follow this sequence before you sign any contract or transfer any money. The entire process, including the extra due diligence, takes under 30 minutes and costs nothing. It can save you tens of thousands of reais and months of stress.
- Step 1: Ask the lawyer for their full name, OAB number, and state of registration.
- Step 2: Open cna.oab.org.br and run the search using the name or the OAB number.
- Step 3: Confirm the status shows “Regular” and that the photo and name match the person you are dealing with.
- Step 4: If it is a firm, confirm the firm’s OAB registration and its CNPJ (company tax ID).
- Step 5: Do a quick online search of the name and firm to confirm a consistent professional footprint.
- Step 6: Request a written service contract (contrato de honorários) stating scope, fees, and the OAB number.
- Step 7: Only after all of the above, proceed with payment and signing.
Documents you may reasonably request to confirm identity and legitimacy:
- The lawyer’s OAB card or registration details
- RG (national identity document) and CPF (individual taxpayer ID)
- The firm’s CNPJ (company tax ID), if applicable
- A signed engagement contract
Remember: Keep copies of everything, the OAB search result (screenshot it with the date), the contract, and all receipts, for at least 5 years. If a dispute arises later, this record is your protection.
This same discipline applies to related processes. When you get your CPF as a foreigner or arrange apostille and sworn translation of your documents, verify that anyone charging legal fees is actually a licensed lawyer, and keep records of every step.
Frequently Asked Questions About OAB Verification
Can I verify a Brazilian lawyer from outside Brazil?
Yes. The OAB national registry at cna.oab.org.br is a public website accessible from anywhere in the world. You do not need to be in Brazil, hold a CPF, or create any account. Simply enter the lawyer’s full name or OAB number and search. This means you can verify credentials before you travel, before you sign a contract, and before you transfer any funds. Always run this check first when hiring legal help remotely, since remote arrangements are exactly where scams targeting foreigners tend to occur.
Is a despachante the same as a lawyer in Brazil?
No. A despachante is a document expediter who helps with bureaucratic paperwork, queues, and submissions at government offices. They are not lawyers and cannot represent you in court, sign legal petitions, or provide paid legal advice. Under Law 8.906/1994, only OAB-registered lawyers can practice law. A despachante can be genuinely useful for routine paperwork, but if one charges lawyer-level fees to “handle your legal case,” that is a red flag. For any matter involving contracts, litigation, visas with legal complexity, or property transfers, hire a licensed advogado.
What does it mean if the OAB status shows “Suspenso”?
“Suspenso” (suspended) means the lawyer is temporarily barred from practicing law. This can result from disciplinary proceedings, ethics violations, or unpaid OAB dues. During suspension, the lawyer cannot legally represent you. If your search returns this status, do not proceed with that professional until the status returns to “Regular.” Other statuses to avoid include “Cancelado” (cancelled, registration terminated) and “Licenciado” (on leave, voluntarily inactive). Only a “Regular” status confirms the lawyer is active and in good standing to take your case.
What happens legally if an unregistered person handled my case?
Under the Statute of Advocacy (Law 8.906/1994), legal acts performed by someone without OAB registration can be declared null and void. In practice, a case filed by a fake lawyer can be thrown out by the court, and contracts they prepared may be legally invalid. The illegal practice of a profession is also a misdemeanor under Brazil’s Criminal Misdemeanors Law. If this has happened to you, consult a genuine licensed lawyer immediately to assess the validity of your documents and explore recovering any money you paid.
Does a law firm need its own OAB registration?
Yes. In Brazil, a law firm (sociedade de advogados) must be registered with the OAB in addition to each individual lawyer holding their own registration. A legitimate firm will also have a CNPJ (the company tax identification number) issued by the Receita Federal. When hiring a firm, you can verify both the individual lawyer handling your matter and the firm itself. Ask for the firm’s OAB registration and CNPJ, and confirm the individual lawyer’s status on cna.oab.org.br. Reputable firms provide this information transparently.
The lawyer refuses to give me their OAB number. What should I do?
Walk away. A licensed Brazilian lawyer has no reason to hide their OAB number, it is public information and appears on their business cards, contracts, and petitions. Refusal, evasion, or excuses (“I’ll send it later”) are among the strongest warning signs of an unlicensed operator or a scam. Do not transfer money or sign anything. A real professional treats your verification as normal and reasonable due diligence, not as an insult. If the person becomes defensive or pressures you to proceed without verification, that behavior confirms you should find someone else.
Verify Your Brazilian Lawyer With Confidence, Get Expert Help Now
Navigating the Brazilian legal system as a foreigner is stressful enough without worrying whether the person helping you is even licensed. The good news is that protecting yourself costs nothing and takes minutes. Verify the OAB registration, confirm the “Regular” status, match the name and photo, and insist on a written contract before you pay anyone.
At Ribeiro Cavalcante Advocacia, we are a fully OAB-registered, bilingual legal team that works with expats, investors, and international families every day. If you want the reassurance of licensed, English-speaking Brazilian lawyers for your visa, property, corporate, or immigration matter, we are here to help you move forward with confidence.
Reach out and let us verify, explain, and handle your Brazilian legal needs the right way.
Fale agora com um advogado especialista
Originally published at Ribeiro Cavalcante Advocacia
