Graduate Degree Recognition
To apply for recognition of a master’s or doctoral degree obtained abroad, visit: http://propgpr.paginas.ufsc.br/internationalization-coordination-office/degree-recognition/.
E-mail: reconhecimentodetitulo@contato.ufsc.br
Telephone: +55 48 3721-7280
To track the progress of your degree recognition application, access:
https://solar.egestao.ufsc.br/atendimento/
1. GRADUATE DEGREE RECOGNITION FLOWCHART (in Portuguese)
2. RECOGNITION CERTIFICATE REGISTRATION STAGE (SERDI/DAE) (in Portuguese)
HOW TO PAY THE REGISTRATION FEE?
Access: Instructions for payment of the registration fee for foreign graduate degree recognition.
RECOGNITION CERTIFICATE IN PHYSICAL OR DIGITAL FORMAT
You may choose to receive your Recognition Certificate in digital format (sent via email) or physical format (in-person pickup). Please note that once you select one of the formats, you will not be able to receive the certificate in the other format.
1- Recognition Certificate in DIGITAL format (sent via email)
To receive the Recognition Certificate in digital format, after being contacted by the SERDI/DAE team, you must present your original diploma (bearing the Hague Apostille or consular seal) in dematerialized form.
What is dematerialization? It is a procedure performed at a notary’s office to convert a physical document into an electronic document while ensuring its authenticity, integrity, and legal validity. Dematerialization is carried out by a notary or an authorized representative, who signs the electronic document using a digital certificate compliant with the Brazilian Public Key Infrastructure (ICP-Brasil) standard and registers it with the Central Notarial System for Digital Authentication (CENAD), which is regulated by the National Council of Justice (CNJ).
Where can the diploma be dematerialized? Dematerialization may be performed at any notary’s office located in Brazil. To do so, simply present the original diploma at the notary’s office of your choice and request the dematerialization of the document.
2- Recognition Certificate in PHYSICAL format (in-person pickup)
To receive the Recognition Certificate in physical format, you must schedule an appointment in advance to present the original diploma (bearing the Hague Apostille or consular seal) in person at SERDI/DAE.
If you cannot appear in person to present your original diploma, you may appoint an authorized representative to represent you.
How to appoint an authorized representative? Simply present a standard power of attorney containing your details and those of the authorized person, specifying that they are authorized to present the original diploma (bearing the Hague Apostille or consular seal) and collect the Recognition Certificate on your behalf.
Important guidelines:
• The power of attorney must be signed by the diploma holder;
• The authorized representative must present the power of attorney, the original diploma (bearing the Hague Apostille or consular seal), and an official photo ID;
• In-person service at SERDI/DAE is available strictly by prior appointment.
• Power of Attorney Template for download
LEGISLATION:
• Law No. 9394/96 of 20 December 1996 – Establishes the guidelines and bases of national education.
• Normative Resolution No. 2/2024/CNE/CES of 19 December 2024 – Sets forth rules regarding the recognition of undergraduate and graduate degrees issued by foreign universities.
• Normative Ordinance No. 22/2016/MEC of 13 December 2016 – Sets forth general rules and procedures for processing applications for the recognition of undergraduate and graduate degrees issued by foreign higher education institutions.
• Normative Resolution No. 42/2018/CPG/UFSC of 1 November 2018 – Sets forth rules regarding the recognition of graduate degrees issued by foreign higher education institutions.
• Normative Resolution No. 37/2025/CC of 11 December 2025 – Establishes the fees for extraordinary educational services.
• Resolution No. 228/CNJ of 22 June 2016 – Eliminates the requirement for the legalization of foreign public documents, pursuant to the Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents, concluded at The Hague on October 5, 1961 (Hague Apostille Convention).
• List of signatory countries to the Hague Apostille Convention (click here).
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ):
– Do I always need to present the Recognition Certificate together with the diploma?
Yes. The Recognition Certificate must be presented together with the recognized diploma.
– Does the Recognition Certificate replace the foreign diploma?
No. The Recognition Certificate does not replace the diploma. It is the document that certifies the recognition of the foreign diploma by a Brazilian higher education institution and must be presented together with that diploma.
– Once my application has been approved, is the diploma automatically recognized?
No. Once the application has been approved, for the diploma to be effectively recognized, the applicant must:
- Pay the registration fee;
- Wait for the issuance of the Recognition Certificate (in physical or digital format) by the SERDI/DAE team.
Only after these steps have been completed—with the physical Recognition Certificate being delivered to the applicant or their authorized representative, or the digital Recognition Certificate being sent to the applicant by email—will the diploma be formally recognized by a Brazilian higher education institution and the process be concluded.
– Can I show up on any day to present the diploma and pick up the certificate?
No. Service is provided exclusively by prior appointment. Instructions for scheduling an appointment are sent via email by the SERDI/DAE team.
– If I choose the physical Recognition Certificate, is there a deadline for picking it up after it is issued?
No. There is no deadline for pickup. The Recognition Certificate will remain in the custody of SERDI/DAE until it is collected by the applicant or their authorized representative.
– Once the case file has been forwarded to SERDI/DAE following the Graduate Studies Board’s approval of the evaluation report, is there a deadline for paying the registration fee?
No. There is no set deadline for payment. However, the Certificate of Recognition will only be issued after payment of the registration fee has been confirmed.
– Is the information contained in the Certificate of Recognition sufficient for presentation to other institutions?
Yes. The Certificate of Recognition is a complete document sufficient to prove the recognition of the foreign diploma in Brazil. Should additional information be required, the Certificate of Recognition may be accompanied by the evaluation report approved by the Graduate Studies Board, which contains the details of the process.
– How can the authenticity of the signatures on the Certificate of Recognition be confirmed?
- Physical Certificate of Recognition: Signatures on the physical Certificate of Recognition can be verified at the Trindade Notary Office (*Cartório Trindade*), where UFSC staff members have their signatures on file. For more information: http://www.cartoriotrindade.com.br
- Digital Certificate of Recognition: Electronic signatures on the digital Certificate of Recognition can be verified via the UFSC signature verification system, which confirms the validity of the digital signatures present in the document. Verification can be performed at: https://assina.ufsc.br/verificador/
– If an institution requests further confirmation of the Certificate of Recognition’s authenticity, please consult the instructions available at: https://dae.ufsc.br/verificacao-de-autenticidade-de-diplomas-certificados-e-certidoes-pos-graduacao/
– Is it possible to send the physical Certificate of Recognition by mail?
No. In accordance with current guidelines from the Department of School Administration (DAE), UFSC does not send documents via mail services (such as PAC, SEDEX, registered mail, or other postal methods).