For legal assistance in Brazil, please see the Embassy’s website at https://br.usembassy.gov/ Under U.S. Citizen Services, select “Legal Assistance”.

Here you will find a list of attorneys for each consular district.

Please note: The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the entities or individuals whose names appear on the following lists. Inclusion on this list is in no way an endorsement by the Department or the U.S. government. Names are listed alphabetically, and the order in which they appear has no other significance. The information on the list is provided directly by the local service providers; the Department is not in a position to vouch for such information.

If you are a U.S. citizen and you have been arrested or detained, please contact your nearest embassy or consulate. They may be able to assist with the following:

• Providing a list of local attorneys who speak English.
• Contacting family, friends, or employers of the detained U.S. citizen with their written permission.
• Visiting the detained U.S. citizen regularly and provide reading materials and vitamin supplements, where appropriate.
• Help ensuring that prison officials are providing appropriate medical care for you.
• Providing a general overview of the local criminal justice process.
• Informing the detainee of local and U.S.-based resources to assist victims of crime that may be available to them.
• Ensuring that prison officials are permitting visits with a member of the clergy of the religion of your choice.
• Establishing an OCS Trust so friends and family can transfer funds to imprisoned U.S. citizens, when permissible under prison regulations.

For additional information visit the Embassy’s website at: https://br.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/arrest-of-a-u-s-citizen/

Additional information is also available at the Department of State’s website https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html , select “International Travel,” select “Emergencies,” and follow the guidance under “Arrest or Detention of a U.S. Citizen Abroad”.

If you would like to speak to someone directly regarding an arrest in Brazil, call the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate:

Brasília
(61) 3312-7000 (8AM – 5PM)
(61) 3312-7400 or +1 (301) 985-8850 after hours
BrasiliaACS@state.gov

Porto Alegre
(51) 3345-6000 (24 hour emergency assistance)
PortoAlegreACS@state.gov

Recife
(81) 3416-3050 (7AM – 4PM)
(81) 99916-9470 after hours
RecifeACS@state.gov

Rio de Janeiro
(21) 3823-2000 (8AM – 5PM)
(21) 3823-2029 after hours
ACSRio@state.gov

São Paulo
(11) 3250-5000 (7:30AM – 4:30PM)
(11) 3250-5373 after hours
(202) 465-4311 or (202) 904-2116 from the U.S.
SaoPauloACS@state.gov

Fortaleza
(85) 3223-4902 during Consular Agency’s working hours (8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.)
(81) 99916-9470 for after-hours assistance provided by U.S. Consulate General in Recife.
FortalezaACS@state.gov

Manaus
(92) 3611-3333 for assistance provided by the consular agency during working hours (9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.)
(61) 3312-7400 for after-hours assistance provided by the Embassy. +1 (301) 985-8850 if calling from the U.S.
ManausACS@state.gov

Salvador
(71) 3113-2090 for assistance provided by the consular agency during working hours (8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.)
(21) 3823-2029 for after-hours assistance provided by the U.S. Consulate in Rio de Janeiro.
SalvadorACS@state.gov

If your family member is a U.S. citizen and has been arrested or detained, please contact your nearest embassy or consulate. They may be able to assist with the following:

• Providing a list of local attorneys who speak English.
• Contacting family, friends, or employers of the detained U.S. citizen with their written permission.
• Visiting the detained U.S. citizen regularly and provide reading materials and vitamin supplements, where appropriate.
• Help ensuring that prison officials are providing appropriate medical care for you.
• Providing a general overview of the local criminal justice process.
• Informing the detainee of local and U.S.-based resources to assist victims of crime that may be available to them.
• Ensuring that prison officials are permitting visits with a member of the clergy of the religion of your choice.
• Establishing an OCS Trust so friends and family can transfer funds to imprisoned U.S. citizens, when permissible under prison regulations.

For additional information visit the Embassy’s website at: https://br.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/arrest-of-a-u-s-citizen/