Unfiltered Story #416597

The rules for Brazilian citizenship are similar to those in the US, therefore, there are 2 ways you can be born Brazilian. 1. By being born on Brazilian soil and 2. By having at least one Brazilian parent.

I was born abroad to a Brazilian and so I am born Brazilian but, obviously, it is not the norm. This can cause some problems.

After I moved to Brazil I needed to change my driving licence from my birth country to Brazil. I arrived at the office, and we got started with the application. All was going well until here:
Official: Ok, can you confirm your data for me?
Me: (looks) Um, you’ve put me as naturalized, I’m born Brazilian, you’ve got my birth certificate in front of you.
Official: Oh, yes, here it is. Ok, let’s go back. (short pause). Ok, we have a problem. To label you as born Brazilian, I need the state you were born in, you were born abroad.
Me: Huh?

Sure enough, the software only lists the 26 states and the Federal District. There is no option for abroad (which we would expect as EX).

Me: Ok, so there is clearly a flaw in the system, what can we do?
Official: I’ve never had this before. I don’t know.

Both of us sit there for a second, then I have an idea.

Me: Ok, I was born abroad but I was still registered in Brazil in Brasilia where all foreign-born citizens have their number. Let’s put DF.
Official: Oh, I don’t know if I can do that.
Me: Well, I’m not a foreigner, not naturalised and this is the closest option for our purposes. Apparently not even the government realises how you can be Brazilian.
Official: (starts laughing)