Buy a House in Brazil by Videoconference

Online real estate transactions are now a reality in Brazil. We’re not just referring to finding a house on the Internet or negotiating with a seller via Zoom. We’re talking about being able to buy a house in Brazil completely online. You can actually close on a property and take the legal steps necessary to transfer title from your dining room table.

Despite a 2009 law allowing online notary services, it wasn’t until June 2020, when the government issued stay at home orders due to the pandemic, that the National Council of Justice (CNJ) authorized the activities. Notary offices throughout the country are now allowed to issue public deeds and powers of attorney remotely.

So now there’s no more waiting in line at the notary office or scheduling appointments for signing documents in person. Everything can be done through e-Notariado.

The buyer, seller, and notary all meet in a videoconference where the notary reads the deed aloud and then collects electronic signatures. All other acts necessary to complete the transfer can be done remotely as well.

There’s one problem though. Unfortunately, the process isn’t designed for foreigners living outside Brazil. An in-person visit to the notary office to get a digital certificate is still required. The digital certificate is the technology that makes the electronic signature possible.

More than nine states in Brazil are fully up and running for electronic real estate transactions, including São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Santa Catarina. With the new procedure, real estate transactions increased almost 43% between May and July last year. Perhaps Brazil is on to something here.