Updated September 24, 2026
Is an electronic signature legal in Brazil?
Short answer: Yes. Medida Provisória 2.200-2/2001 gives ICP-Brasil certificate signatures a presumption of authenticity and expressly allows other means of proving authorship and integrity when the parties accept them, so simple e-signatures are widely used for private contracts.
The laws
Medida Provisória nº 2.200-2, de 24 de agosto de 2001
Created the ICP-Brasil public key infrastructure. Article 10 §1 presumes documents signed with ICP-Brasil certificates to be true in relation to the signatories, and §2 states that the MP does not prevent the use of other means of proving authorship and integrity, including non-ICP-Brasil certificates, if the parties accept them as valid or the person the document is used against accepts it.
Lei nº 14.063, de 23 de setembro de 2020
Classifies electronic signatures into simple, advanced and qualified (Article 4) and sets the minimum level required in interactions with public bodies (Article 5).
Three levels of electronic signature
Simple: identifies the signatory and attaches or associates data with other electronic data of the signatory. Advanced: uses non-ICP-Brasil certificates or another means of proving authorship and integrity accepted by the parties, is uniquely linked to the signer, under their exclusive control, and makes later changes detectable. Qualified: uses an ICP-Brasil digital certificate and has the highest level of trust.
Private contracts
Between private parties, MP 2.200-2 Article 10 §2 is the key rule: any means of proving authorship and integrity is valid if the parties accept it. That is why simple and advanced signatures are common for commercial contracts, NDAs, service agreements and employment documents.
Qualified ICP-Brasil signatures enjoy a legal presumption of truth in relation to the signers, which reduces the burden of proof in a dispute.
Dealing with public bodies and real estate
Lei 14.063/2020 lets each public body set the minimum level it accepts. Simple signatures can be admitted for low-impact interactions, advanced signatures for others (including registrations at the Juntas Comerciais), and qualified signatures are accepted in any interaction.
Article 5 §2 makes a qualified signature mandatory for, among others, acts of transfer and registration of real estate (subject to the Juntas Comerciais exception) and the issuance of most electronic invoices (notas fiscais eletrônicas).
Practical tips
Put a clause in your contract where the parties agree to sign electronically and accept the chosen method, which directly engages MP 2.200-2 Article 10 §2.
eSignSimple provides simple electronic signatures with an audit trail that records timestamps, IP addresses and a document hash. It does not issue qualified, advanced or certificate-based signatures, so where a law requires one of those you will need a licensed or accredited provider.
This page is general information about how electronic signature law works, not legal advice. For a specific high-value or regulated transaction, check with a qualified lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction.
Documents that need more than a simple e-signature
- Transfer and registration of real estate: qualified (ICP-Brasil) signature required (Lei 14.063/2020, art. 5 §2 IV)
- Acts signed by heads of branches of government and ministers: qualified signature required
- Most electronic invoices (notas fiscais eletrônicas): qualified signature required, optional for individuals and MEIs
- Other cases where a law requires a specific signature level
Official sources
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and details depend on your situation; consult a qualified lawyer in Brazil for specific transactions.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an ICP-Brasil certificate to sign a contract?
Not for most private contracts. MP 2.200-2 allows other methods if the parties accept them. ICP-Brasil signatures carry a presumption of authenticity, which helps in disputes.
What is the difference between advanced and qualified signatures in Brazil?
Advanced signatures use non-ICP-Brasil certificates or other accepted means with specific security features. Qualified signatures use an ICP-Brasil digital certificate.
Can real estate transfers be e-signed?
Acts of transfer and registration of real estate require a qualified electronic signature under Lei 14.063/2020.
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