Adglobal

Legal and administrative representation in Brazil for foreign companies

Legal representative in Brazil for foreign companies: CNPJ without traveling

For more than a decade, we have incorporated and represented companies in Brazil with foreign shareholders, non-resident board members and resident directors before the Federal Revenue Service, the Board of Trade and the Central Bank, via apostilled power of attorney, without the foreign shareholder needing to travel to Brazil.

Based in São Paulo · Since 2013

Aerial view of São Paulo at dusk — legal representation for foreign companies in Brazil

São Paulo

Brasil · BRT

  • 13+ years

    of practice

  • No travel

    Apostilled power of attorney

  • RFB · Bacen

    Full compliance

  • 6 languages

    Multilingual service

Law library with bookshelves — legal representation in Brazil

Who we are

About Adglobal

Resident representative and resident director in Brazil for companies with foreign shareholders

Founded by Michael Joop in 2013, Adglobal is committed to delivering high-quality legal and administrative representation services in Brazil, serving foreign companies and investors, non-resident board members and Brazilian clients.

Legal representation in Brazil since 2013, without the foreign shareholder or investor needing to travel

We specialize in representing, in Brazil, companies with foreign shareholders or investors. We act as resident director and legal representative before the Federal Revenue Service, the Board of Trade and the Central Bank, ensuring corporate and tax compliance without the foreign shareholder needing to travel to Brazil.

Being a partner means being present when the client cannot be.

Michael Joop · Founder
Sealed document and fountain pen — apostilled power of attorney and CNPJ for a foreign company

What we do

Legal representation in Brazil for foreign companies, shareholders and investors

  1. Representation of non-resident Board of Directors members

    Also known as: Non-resident board member representative · Attorney-in-fact for board members · Resident representative for Board of Directors members · Attorney-in-fact to receive service of process

    Under Brazilian law, members of the Board of Directors of Brazilian companies may reside outside of Brazil. In such cases, however, those members must grant powers (by means of a power of attorney) to an individual residing in Brazil to receive service of process on their behalf. Such power of attorney must remain in force for at least three years following the end of the term of office. Adglobal can appoint one of its members to act as the resident representative of Board of Directors members.

  2. Legal representation of non-operational Brazilian companies

    Also known as: Resident director services for non-operational Brazilian companies · Legal representative of non-operational Brazilian companies · Manager appointed in the articles of association

    While the company is being incorporated and established in Brazil, Adglobal can appoint one of its members to act as the company's officer (administrador) under its Articles of Association or Bylaws. Such member must be replaced as officer as soon as the company commences operations.

  3. Representation after Company Dissolution — Custody of Accounting and Tax Books

    Also known as: Representative after company dissolution · Custody of accounting and tax books · Legal representative for dissolved companies

    Following the dissolution or liquidation of a company in Brazil, the entity must appoint an individual to keep the company's books for a period of five years or longer, depending on the statute of limitations applicable to the company's obligations. Adglobal can appoint a member to act as such individual.

  4. Representation of foreign shareholders before the Brazilian Boards of Trade and Registration Authorities

    Also known as: Representation of foreign shareholders before the Board of Trade · Attorney-in-fact for company registration · Legal representative before registration authorities

    Representation of foreign entities or individuals as partners / shareholders of Brazilian companies, including Ltda. (limited liability companies) and S.A. (corporations), before Boards of Trade (Juntas Comerciais) throughout the country. In order to provide this service, a power of attorney with corporate powers must be granted to an Adglobal member, including powers to receive service of process. All representation services to be performed by Adglobal must be previously approved by the clients.

  5. Representation before the Brazilian Federal Revenue Service and the Central Bank of Brazil

    Also known as: Legal representative before the Federal Revenue Service · Representative before the Central Bank of Brazil · Attorney-in-fact for CNPJ and CPF · CNPJ for a foreign company · CNPJ for a legal entity domiciled abroad · Resident representative in Brazil for foreign shareholders · Representative of foreign investors before the Central Bank of Brazil

    Foreign entities and individuals may be partners (shareholders or quotaholders) of Brazilian entities. However, in order to become partners of a Brazilian entity, such foreign entities or individuals must first obtain their Brazilian tax identification (CNPJ — Brazilian corporate tax ID, or CPF — Brazilian individual tax ID, as applicable), by appointing an individual residing in Brazil as their representative before the Brazilian Federal Revenue Service. In order to provide this service, a power of attorney with powers of representation before the Brazilian Federal Revenue Service and the Central Bank of Brazil must be granted, including powers to receive service of process. All representation services to be performed by Adglobal must be previously approved by the clients.

Still have questions? Talk to Adglobal

Why Adglobal

Why choose Adglobal to represent your foreign company in Brazil

Absolute discretion in representing foreign shareholders

Confidentiality is part of the engagement. Every communication, document and relationship is handled with the same care expected from a law firm.

Remote engagement via apostilled power of attorney

You do not need to travel to Brazil. We handle apostilled powers of attorney, digital signatures and international document logistics.

Established network with the Board of Trade, Federal Revenue and Central Bank

More than a decade of direct working relationships with the Boards of Trade (Juntas Comerciais), the Federal Revenue Service and the Central Bank, as well as notary offices.

Exclusive focus on foreign companies and investors

We are not a generalist firm. Legal representation of foreign companies, shareholders and investors and of non-resident board members in Brazil is what we do — and only that.

How to open a CNPJ for a foreign company in Brazil, step by stepSchedule a consultation

Our process

How to open a CNPJ for a foreign company in Brazil, step by step

Signing a corporate document with a fountain pen — legal representative in Brazil
  1. Assessment of your corporate structure with foreign shareholders

    Confidential initial conversation to understand the corporate structure of your company with a foreign shareholder or investor, the jurisdictions involved and your objectives.

    What is the first step to open a company with a foreign shareholder in Brazil?
  2. Scope, timeline and fee proposal for legal representation

    After the initial assessment, we present a tailored legal representation proposal, with transparent scope, timeline and fees (monthly retainer plus discrete project fees). No surprises.

    How long does it take to incorporate a company with a foreign shareholder and obtain the CNPJ in Brazil?
  3. Apostilled power of attorney for use in Brazil and foreign shareholder documents

    We gather powers of attorney, apostilled documents and the required information, with documented follow-up at each stage.

    What is an apostilled power of attorney for use in Brazil by foreigners (procuração)?
  4. Ongoing representation before the Board of Trade, Federal Revenue and Central Bank

    We act as legal representative and resident attorney-in-fact before the Board of Trade, the Federal Revenue and the Central Bank, with periodic reports and full availability for ad-hoc matters.

    What is a resident legal representative (attorney-in-fact) in Brazil, what are its obligations and why is it mandatory?
Leather-bound books on a shelf — custody of accounting and tax books in Brazil

Testimonial

What clients say about Adglobal as legal representative in Brazil

I am writing to confirm that we have had business dealings with Michael Joop / ADGLOBAL for several years, with great satisfaction. Michael is consistently prompt and efficient and, of course, trustworthy — which, in Brazil, is a considerable asset.

— Alexandre M.
Michael Joop, founder of Adglobal

Reference Letter

Reference Letter — representation of a foreign company in Brazil

To whom it may concern,

This letter is to confirm that Mr. Michael Joop, through his company Adglobal Serviços Administrativos Ltda, CNPJ 19.079.535/0001-28, provided corporate representation and administrative support services to Empire Brazil Participações Ltda, CNPJ 19.172.982/0001-27, and Fiabila Brasil Indústria de Cosméticos Ltda, CNPJ 50.662.246/0001-05, from 2014 until the completion of the services.

Fiabila Brasil Indústria de Cosméticos Ltda operated as a Brazilian manufacturing company within the Fiabila Group, producing high-quality cosmetic products and supporting commercial activities connected to the group's clients and operations. The company's activities required reliable local corporate administration, banking support, regulatory coordination, import-related procedures, and interaction with different internal departments and external service providers.

During this period, Mr. Joop acted as attorney-in-fact of the foreign shareholder before the relevant Brazilian authorities, including the Board of Commerce and the Federal Revenue Office. He also served as the registered legal representative and administrator of the Brazilian entity, as recorded in the company's corporate documents.

In Brazil, this role is important for foreign-owned companies because it connects the foreign shareholder and management team with local corporate, administrative, banking, tax, regulatory, import, operational, and legal requirements. The legal representative is not merely a formal appointment. The role can be important for local accountability, communication with authorities, and operational continuity.

Mr. Joop's involvement was especially valuable because Fiabila's Brazilian operation required active and timely support in several sensitive areas, including banking authorizations, payroll-related approvals, document execution, regulatory procedures, import-related matters, and coordination with internal teams responsible for finance, human resources, commercial activities, research and development, supply chain, and EHS.

Michael Joop in a professional context
Michael Joop · Founder

His support included matters related to the Federal Police declaration for chemical products, ANVISA-related procedures connected to import clearance, RADAR / Siscomex settings, customs broker registration, corporate administration, banking access, signing of documents, and communication with external legal, accounting, regulatory, customs, and banking service providers when required.

All activities were carried out under company instruction, with proper authorization, and in accordance with the company's internal approval procedures. Mr. Joop acted only after receiving the required direction or approval from the company's responsible managers, directors, or authorized team members.

Over the years, Mr. Joop was a trusted and directly accessible partner to our organization. He responded quickly when his involvement was required and helped the company handle time-sensitive administrative, banking, regulatory, import, and operational matters in Brazil in a professional and solution-oriented manner.

His role also helped provide continuity and stability. By remaining the registered administrator and local representative, Mr. Joop supported the company during operational needs, internal staff interactions, regulatory procedures, and administrative requirements where a stable and reliable local representative was important.

Throughout our collaboration, Mr. Joop demonstrated integrity, discretion, reliability, responsibility, and commitment. His services helped provide continuity, local accountability, practical support, and confidence to our management team, internal departments, and foreign parent company.

We can recommend Mr. Michael Joop and Adglobal Serviços Administrativos Ltda to foreign companies seeking a trustworthy, responsible, responsive, and experienced legal representative and administrator in Brazil, especially where reliable local execution, regulatory coordination, and operational continuity are important.

Sincerely,

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions about Legal Representative, CNPJ for Foreign Companies and Company Incorporation in Brazil

Does a foreign shareholder need to travel to Brazil to incorporate the company?

No. We act fully through an apostilled power of attorney. The foreign shareholder grants powers to a resident representative in Brazil who handles the entire CNPJ formalization — registration with the Board of Trade, enrollment with the Federal Revenue Service and, where applicable, with the Central Bank — without the foreign shareholder needing to travel to Brazil or be physically present at any government office.Representation of foreign shareholders before the Board of Trade

What is a resident legal representative (attorney-in-fact) in Brazil, what are its obligations and why is it mandatory?

A resident representative is an individual residing in Brazil who is designated to act before Brazilian government authorities on behalf of a company with foreign shareholders. Brazilian law requires this representation so that the company can remain in compliance before the Federal Revenue Service, the Central Bank and the Boards of Trade, receive administrative summons, and operate regularly. In practice, they act as the foreign shareholder's attorney-in-fact, with powers granted through an apostilled power of attorney.Legal representative before the Federal Revenue Service

What does Adglobal's resident representative do before the Board of Trade, the Federal Revenue Service and the Central Bank, including receiving official notices and service of process?

Before the Board of Trade, Adglobal's resident representative signs the incorporation documents on behalf of the foreign shareholder and registers it as a quotaholder or shareholder of the Brazilian company, under a power of attorney that includes powers to receive service of process. Before the Federal Revenue Service, it handles the CNPJ enrollment, signs filings and receives communications. Before the Central Bank, where applicable, it signs the registrations and filings required by the monetary authority.Legal representative before the Federal Revenue Service

How to obtain a CNPJ for a foreign company and a CPF for a foreigner without traveling to Brazil?

The path is entirely remote: abroad, the foreign shareholder grants an apostilled power of attorney to a resident representative in Brazil, who incorporates the Brazilian company (Ltda. or S.A.) and registers it with the Federal Revenue Service to obtain the CNPJ. The process typically takes between 15 and 45 business days. In order to become partners of a Brazilian entity, foreign entities or individuals must first obtain their Brazilian tax identification (CNPJ — Brazilian corporate tax ID, or CPF — Brazilian individual tax ID, as applicable), by appointing an individual residing in Brazil as their representative before the Brazilian Federal Revenue Service.Legal representative before the Federal Revenue Service

Legal representative or resident director: what is the difference, and what does an attorney-in-fact do?

A resident director is a member whom Adglobal can appoint as the company's officer (administrador) under its Articles of Association or Bylaws while the company is being incorporated and established in Brazil; such member must be replaced as officer as soon as the company commences operations. A legal representative acts as the company's spokesperson before authorities — receiving notices, communications, and legal summons. An attorney-in-fact is the person granted powers under an apostilled power of attorney to act on behalf of the foreign shareholder; in the case of the resident representative, this is an individual residing in Brazil.Resident director services for non-operational Brazilian companies

How long does it take to incorporate a company with a foreign shareholder and obtain the CNPJ in Brazil?

The incorporation of a company with CNPJ for a foreign company in Brazil typically takes between 15 and 45 business days, depending on the complexity of the corporate structure, the availability of apostilled documents, and the response time of the involved authorities — Federal Revenue Service, Board of Trade, and Central Bank.Representation of foreign shareholders before the Board of Trade

Does Adglobal replace an accountant or attorney in representing a foreign company in Brazil?

No. We do not replace attorneys or accountants. We work alongside your legal and accounting teams — we provide the resident representative and legal representative required under Brazilian law for companies with non-resident foreign shareholders.Services

In which languages does Adglobal serve foreign shareholders and investors in Brazil?

Adglobal provides services in Português, English, Español, Deutsch, Français and Italiano, covering the full spectrum of CNPJ formalization for foreign companies in Brazil — from Board of Trade registration and Federal Revenue enrollment to Central Bank representation, via apostilled power of attorney.Services

Do documents and powers of attorney issued abroad need to be apostilled for use in Brazil?

Yes, documents issued abroad must be apostilled in accordance with the Hague Apostille Convention to be legally valid in Brazil. Adglobal assists throughout the entire process — from guiding the foreign shareholder through obtaining the apostilled power of attorney to handling the logistics of importing documents for CNPJ formalization.Representation of foreign shareholders before the Board of Trade

How much does a legal representative for a foreign company in Brazil cost?

Fees are a combination of a monthly retainer plus discrete project fees, transparently defined in the proposal after the initial assessment. Every corporate structure has its own particularities — Adglobal provides a tailored proposal with no surprises for the representation of your company in Brazil.Services

How to appoint a legal representative or resident director for a foreign company in Brazil?

By means of an apostilled power of attorney, the foreign shareholder grants powers to a resident representative in Brazil. The step-by-step process involves: (1) granting an apostilled power of attorney to an Adglobal member; (2) registering the appointment with the Board of Trade (Junta Comercial); (3) handling enrollment with the Federal Revenue Service (CNPJ) and, depending on the activity, with the Central Bank. Required documents: apostilled power of attorney, articles of association and identity documents. Typical timeframe: between 15 and 45 business days.Resident director services for non-operational Brazilian companies

What is the first step to open a company with a foreign shareholder in Brazil?

The first step is a complimentary and confidential initial conversation with an Adglobal legal representative, to understand the desired corporate structure, the jurisdictions involved, and the objectives. From there, Adglobal presents a proposal with transparent scope, timeline and fees.Representation of foreign shareholders before the Board of Trade

How does representation before the Board of Trade (Junta Comercial) work for a foreign company or investor?

Representation before the Board of Trade allows a foreign investor, whether an individual or a company, to be registered as a partner or shareholder of a Brazilian company. For this, the interested party must grant an apostilled power of attorney to a representative in Brazil, who signs the incorporation documents on their behalf before the registration authority.Representation of foreign shareholders before the Board of Trade

How does a power of attorney for the Federal Revenue Service (Receita Federal) work for a foreign company?

Representation before the Federal Revenue Service is required to obtain the CNPJ (in the Federal Revenue registry, a CNPJ for a legal entity domiciled abroad) and maintain the company's tax compliance. The resident representative acts before the Federal Revenue Service on behalf of the foreign shareholder, signing declarations, receiving communications and ensuring the company complies with Brazilian tax obligations.Legal representative before the Federal Revenue Service

What is an apostilled power of attorney for use in Brazil by foreigners (procuração)?

An apostilled power of attorney is a public document issued abroad, authenticated by a Hague Convention seal, granting powers to a person in Brazil to act on behalf of the foreign principal. It is the instrument that allows a foreign shareholder to incorporate a company, obtain a CNPJ and represent themselves before Brazilian government authorities without traveling to the country.Representation of foreign shareholders before the Board of Trade

How does representation before the Central Bank of Brazil work when a foreign company or investor is a shareholder of a Brazilian company?

Representation before the Central Bank is required when the foreign company or investor acts as a partner of a Brazilian entity, in order to sign the registrations and declarations required by the monetary authority. The resident representative acts before the Central Bank on behalf of the foreign shareholder, under an apostilled power of attorney, without the foreigner needing to travel to Brazil.Legal representative before the Federal Revenue Service

Can a non-resident foreign board member sit on the Board of Directors of a Brazilian company without being a Brazilian national? Must they appoint a resident attorney-in-fact in Brazil to receive service of process?

Yes — they do not need to be Brazilian nationals or residents. Under Brazilian law, members of the Board of Directors of Brazilian companies may reside outside of Brazil. In such cases, however, those members must grant powers, by means of a power of attorney, to an individual residing in Brazil to receive service of process on their behalf. Such power of attorney must remain in force for at least three years following the end of the term of office. Adglobal can appoint one of its members to act as the resident representative of Board of Directors members.Non-resident board member representative

Can Adglobal act as resident director (administrator) of a non-operational Brazilian company?

Yes. While the company is being incorporated and established in Brazil, Adglobal can appoint one of its members to act as the company's officer (administrador) under its Articles of Association or Bylaws. Such member must be replaced as officer as soon as the company commences operations.Resident director services for non-operational Brazilian companies

Who keeps the accounting and tax books after a company is dissolved in Brazil?

Following the dissolution or liquidation of a company in Brazil, the entity must appoint an individual to keep the company's books for a period of five years or longer, depending on the statute of limitations applicable to the company's obligations. Adglobal can appoint a member to act as such individual.Representative after company dissolution

ProcessStill have questions? Talk to Adglobal

Glass skyscrapers seen from below — Adglobal, São Paulo, Brazil

Get in touch

Talk to a legal representative in Brazil for your foreign company

An initial conversation about the legal representation of your foreign company in Brazil is complimentary and confidential. We respond within one business day.

BackgroundPreviously operating as Agilent Serviços Administrativos Ltda.

Legal Representative in Brazil for Foreign Companies | Adglobal