Adglobal

Legal and administrative representation

Legal resident representative in Brazil for foreign companies

For more than a decade, we have incorporated and represented companies with CNPJ for foreign companies in Brazil — non-resident board member and resident administrator, with designation of resident administrator, representing 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

São Paulo

Brasil · BRT

  • 13+ years

    of practice

  • International

    engagements

  • RFB · Bacen

    Full compliance

  • 6 languages

    Multilingual service

Who we are

About Adglobal

Resident representative and legal administrator for companies with CNPJ for foreign companies in Brazil

Founded by Michael Joop in 2013, Adglobal is committed to delivering high-quality services in Brazil, meeting the needs of both foreign and Brazilian clients.

Your success and your satisfaction are our priorities

We specialize in representing companies with CNPJ for foreign companies in Brazil. 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

What we do

Our Services

  1. CNPJ — Representation of non-resident Board of Directors members

    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. CNPJ — Legal representation of non-operational Brazilian companies

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

    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 before the Brazilian Boards of Trade and 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

    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.

Why Adglobal

Why choose Adglobal to represent your foreign company in Brazil

Absolute discretion

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

Frictionless remote engagement

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

Established network

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

Exclusive focus on foreign clients

We are not a generalist firm. Representation of non-residents is what we do — and only that.

Our process

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

  1. Assessment

    Confidential initial conversation to understand your corporate structure, the jurisdictions involved and your objectives.

  2. Proposal

    Transparent scope, timeline and fees. No surprises.

  3. Documentation

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

  4. Ongoing representation

    We act before the relevant authorities, with periodic reports and full availability for ad-hoc matters.

Testimonial

What clients say about Adglobal

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

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

FAQ: CNPJ, Resident Representative and Company Incorporation in Brazil

Do I need to travel to Brazil to incorporate my 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.

What is a resident representative in Brazil and why is it necessary?

A resident representative is the natural or legal person 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.

How can Adglobal help a foreign company obtain a CNPJ in Brazil?

Adglobal appoints a resident representative in Brazil who, via an apostilled power of attorney, 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.

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

To obtain a CNPJ for a foreign company in Brazil, it is necessary to incorporate a Brazilian company (Ltda. or S.A.) and register with the Federal Revenue Service. The foreign shareholder can act remotely, via an apostilled power of attorney, by appointing a resident representative in Brazil to handle the entire formalization — from the Board of Trade to the Federal Revenue Service.

What is the difference between a resident administrator and a legal representative?

A resident administrator is appointed in the articles of association to manage the company's daily operations and reports to government bodies. A legal representative acts as the company's spokesperson before authorities — receiving notices, communications, and legal summons. They may be the same person or different, depending on the corporate structure and the company's needs.

How long does it take to incorporate a company with a foreign shareholder 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.

Does Adglobal replace an accountant or attorney?

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 a CNPJ for a foreign company and non-resident foreign shareholders.

In which languages do you provide services?

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.

Do foreign documents need to be apostilled?

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 of a foreign company.

How much does it cost to represent a foreign company in Brazil?

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 representation of companies with CNPJ for foreign companies in Brazil.

How does the appointment of a resident administrator for a foreign company work 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.

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

The first step is a confidential conversation to understand the desired corporate structure, the jurisdictions involved, and the objectives. From there, Adglobal presents a proposal with transparent scope, timeline and fees.

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

Representation before the Board of Trade allows a foreigner or foreign 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.

How does representation before the Federal Revenue Service work for a foreign company?

Representation before the Federal Revenue Service is required to obtain the CNPJ 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.

What is an apostilled power of attorney (power of attorney) in Brazil?

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.

How does representation before the Central Bank of Brazil work for a foreign company?

Representation before the Central Bank is required when the foreign company acts as a partner of a Brazilian entity and needs approval for foreign exchange operations. The resident representative acts before the Central Bank on behalf of the foreign shareholder, signing registrations and declarations required by the monetary authority, including enrollment in the Foreign Capital Information System (SIECA). The apostilled power of attorney enables the representative to act before the Central Bank without the foreigner needing to travel to Brazil.

Get in touch

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An initial conversation is complimentary and confidential. We respond within one business day.

BackgroundPreviously operating as Agilent Serviços Administrativos Ltda.

Resident Representative Brazil | CNPJ for Foreign Company · Adglobal