Brazilian Visa Documents - Help!
 

Hi! I know one needs a driver's license with proof of residence to apply for a Brazilian visa. I recently moved to California and haven't updated my drivers license yet. I have heard that one can use a utility bill instead, if needed. However, I am not a lease holder at my house so the utility bill also does not have my name on it. I was thinking of bringing a utility bill as well as a paycheck with the same address, that does have my name on it. Any suggestions or knowledge about this?? Thank you!!

Probably a good time to get that CA driver's license, as you should do in any case and doesn't take long to get.

https://www.dmv.org/ca-california/new-to-california.php
"New California residents must obtain a California driver's license within 10 days of moving to the state."

The Brazilian Consulate is looking for proof of residency in the jurisdiction of that particular consulate. They don't want to deal with every Tomas, Ricardinho e Geraldo that feels like dropping in. So whaddaya have?

Thanks for the ideas. I have a utility bill from my house and could get a written note from the addressee, my housemate. I also have a paycheck, some mail, and health insurance documents..

Wwe aren't the ones you should be asking, nor will anything we say be definitive. It's the consulate that can tell you or possibly one of these:

https://www.visahq.com/contact_us.php
https://www.travisa.com/contactinfo.htm?PartnerID=TA

I'd bring as much as you have with the address and your name on it, and the utility bill and roommate letter.

"It's the consulate that can tell you"
Of course it is, but you can't get ahold of them before your appointment. They don't answer the published phone number and any email usually gets the most vague and not useful answer.

A visa agency isn't going to know what qualifies for an individual in that situation. They have different requirements for documentation and may not be required to submit at the given consulate.

Why not just get a California driver's license? I would think that that would be a higher priority than obtaining a Brazilian visa. If you don't want to do that, call the Brazilian consulate.

" If you don't want to do that, call the Brazilian consulate."

As I stated above, none of the Brazilian Consulates in the US are in the habit of answering their published phone number.

This is not one of the 'big deal' parts of getting a Brazilian visa. Some of the Brazilian Consulates have even been known to deal with people from out of their jurisdiction, although I would not count on it.
That's why I advised taking as much documentation as you can muster that will show your current address in any way.

Also note that the SF Consulate (if that, and not LA, is where you'll apply) has a rep for taking a longer time to process visas, especially before Carnaval, so don't wait too close to departure.

You don't mention a time line in your post and that makes a big difference - whether you're pressed for time or have enough time to do it right. With nothing to go on I'd suggest the following...
1. Go apply for your driver's license tomorrow.
2. If you don't have time to wait a few days for it to arrive, take the pile of stuff you've got to your appointment or mail it, however you plan to submit it.
3. Then, obviously, you'll get your visa or you won't and can return with the license if you don't.
4. If you don't get your visa in time you can adjust your plans accordingly. What else is there to say?

The salient issue is that this (the drivers license or other document with address) is not a requirement for the visa. It is simply a way for any given consulate to opt to decline becoming overburdened with applications if they so choose.

We know several people who have obtained Brazilian visas through this expeditor in Santa Monica (some for business, some from out of state). You can call them for advice.

http://www.ambassadorpassportandvisa...azil-visa.html

That visa service also requires :
"• 1 Copy of Drivers License or Valid State ID"

The requirements seem to be flexible. The consulates in Beverly Hills and San Francisco both accept utility bills and other forms of ID, including paychecks. We know someone who had just moved to Oregon, didn't have ID yet, and got a Brazilian visa in two days through the CA expeditor using a paycheck as ID.

I would cal the expeditor - they are miracle workers and always have accurate info. Phone: 310-828-7878

In dealing with Brazilians at any level or for any task, a personal approach usually works best.

Miracles not required, just a human touch.

The OP is likely to get his visa if he personally goes to talk to the staff at the consulate with the address documents he does have.