MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Umbanda and Candomblé marriages legally valid in Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro was the first state in the country to pass a law on the subject, Átila Nunes stressed

Marriages celebrated under Umbanda and Candomblé religious rites are now officially recognized in the Brazilian State of Rio de Janeiro as per Law 11.058/25, penned by legislator Átila Nunes of the PSD and passed by the Rio Legislative Assembly (Alerj). These unions are now convertible into civil following existing legislation.

For religion scholar and journalist Claudia Alexandre, the decision, albeit belated, recognizes the value of Afro-Brazilian traditions and helps combat religious intolerance. A priestess of Umbanda and Candomblé, Alexandre, has for 20 years been performing marriages and baptisms at her terreiro, located in Paraty, on the southern coast of Rio de Janeiro state.

“This is an important step that will contribute to the elimination of the stigma that has historically fallen on Afro-Brazilian religions. Baptism, wedding, and funeral celebrations have always been held by the terreiros, and the secular state needs to recognize religious authority, just as it recognizes celebrations in the Catholic Church,” she pointed out.

“In a country that naturalizes the increase in religious racism, the law is an achievement, even if, for now, it is only in Rio de Janeiro,” she added.

For the religious ceremony to have civil effects, a declaration drawn up by a religious authority of Umbanda or Candomblé will be required. The document must contain the full name, CPF (Individual Taxpayer ID), identity document, and address of the bride and groom; the date, place, and time of the ceremony; the identification of the officiating religious authority; the identification of the temple, terreiro, or religious house; and the signatures of the officiant and at least two witnesses from the community.

The marriage declaration may be forwarded to the competent Civil Registry Office, accompanied by the documentation required by federal law.

According to Átila Nunes, the initiative ensures principles such as religious freedom, human dignity, equality, freedom of association, and protection of cultural diversity. He insisted Rio de Janeiro was the first state in the country to pass a law on the subject.

“It is a process of equality. Catholic and Evangelical churches have all the rights that African-based religions did not have. The great victory is that now marriages in these rites can have civil effects,” the parliamentarian noted.

The law also defines who can be recognized as a qualified religious authority: priests and priestesses, babalorixás, ialorixás, fathers and mothers of saints, terreiro leaders, and other spiritual leaders traditionally recognized in Umbanda and Candomblé. The goal is to respect the internal criteria of each tradition and preserve the spiritual and organizational autonomy of the communities.

“Recognition is especially relevant in the current context of combating religious intolerance and structural racism. Umbanda and Candomblé are spiritual traditions of African origin that have suffered historical marginalization, repression, and criminalization, often invisible even in public policies promoting equality and religious freedom,” said Átila Nunes.

During the sanction, Governor Cláudio Castro vetoed a clause providing for penalties for extrajudicial services (notary offices) that discriminatorily refused to receive or process documents related to religious celebrations. According to the governor, the passage exceeds state jurisdiction. He argues that legislation on public records is the exclusive responsibility of the federal government.

“These are obstacles that indicate that there will still be difficulties in the real recognition of the right to religious freedom. This power game, this historical policy of limiting rights, is part of structural racism,” Alexandre highlighted.

“An example of this was the veto of the clause that provided for punishment for schools that did not comply with Law 10 639/2003 - on the mandatory teaching of Afro-Brazilian traditions. Today, more than 70% of public and private schools in Brazil have not implemented the law. Many still punish teachers and demonize the thematic content,” she added.

The article authorizing the executive and judicial branches to promote educational campaigns, training for public and notarial agents, and actions to value the cultural and religious expressions of Umbanda and Candomblé was also vetoed. According to Castro, the provision violated the principle of separation of powers by imposing public policy guidelines on the Executive Branch.

“Campaigns to promote Afro-Brazilian religions would help combat stigma and distortions about Black African heritage and culture, which are the foundation of our society,” Alexandre further noted. (Source: Agencia Brasil)