Same-Sex Marriage in Brazil: Nationwide Since 2013

Same-sex marriage has been legal throughout Brazil since May 16, 2013, following a landmark ruling by the National Council of Justice (CNJ) that mandated all civil registries to perform same-sex marriages.

The decision stemmed from the Supreme Federal Court's (STF) 2011 recognition of stable same-sex unions (união estável) as equivalent to marriage. The CNJ resolution converted this into full marriage equality nationwide—no state-by-state legislative process needed.

Brazil became the largest country by population (then ~194M) to legalize same-sex marriage, and the 15th globally. The ruling applies to all 26 states and the Federal District.

Prior to 2013, several states (Rio Grande do Sul, São Paulo, Alagoas, Bahia, etc.) had already authorized same-sex marriage via judicial decisions or local directives—but the CNJ ruling unified and guaranteed the right everywhere.

Marriage equality in Brazil includes full adoption rights, inheritance, pension/social security benefits, and immigration sponsorship for foreign spouses.