What Is a Certificate of Object and PE?
A certificate of object and PE, also known in Portuguese as certidão de objeto e pé or certidão narrativa, is an official document issued by a Brazilian court. It provides a concise summary of the key elements of a legal proceeding: the object, or the subject matter of the case, and the "pé," which refers to the current procedural phase or status of that case. This certificate is not a full copy of the court record; rather, it condenses the most important facts into a few paragraphs. Anyone who needs to understand what a case is about and how far along it has progressed can request this certificate without having to access the entire file. It is particularly useful when a person or institution must prove that a lawsuit exists, what it concerns, and whether it is still active or has already been decided.
The document is officially regulated by Brazilian procedural laws and is widely recognized by public bodies, private companies, and individuals. It serves as a reliable snapshot of a court case at a specific moment. Because it is issued by the court registry, it carries legal validity and can be used as evidence in administrative proceedings, licensing processes, or even in other lawsuits. Understanding this certificate is essential for anyone involved in Brazilian legal affairs, whether you are a lawyer, a party to a case, or simply a third party who needs to verify the existence of a judicial proceeding. For a more in-depth legal explanation, you can check the Wikipedia page on the certificate.
Key Contents of the Document
A certificate of object and PE must include a specific set of information to be considered valid. The exact format may vary slightly from one court to another, but the core elements are always present. These elements are listed in the table below, which shows the typical fields found in the certificate.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Process number | Unique identifier assigned to the case by the court. |
| Parties | Names and identification of the plaintiff(s) and defendant(s). |
| Date of distribution | Date when the lawsuit was first filed or assigned to a judge. |
| Action value | Monetary amount attributed to the claim, if applicable. |
| Action object | Brief description of what is being requested or disputed. |
| Current procedural status | The stage of the case (e.g., pending judgment, awaiting appeal, archived). |
| Lawyers and third parties | Names of attorneys involved and any interveners or interested parties. |
The certificate also includes the name of the court and the judge responsible, the date the certificate was issued, and the signature or electronic authentication of the court clerk. Because this document is a public record, it can be used to verify the existence and current situation of a lawsuit. When a case is under secrecy of justice, certain fields may be omitted or the document may only be issued to authorized parties. Overall, the certificate provides a clear and official overview that can be trusted for legal and administrative purposes.
Purpose and Common Uses
The main purpose of the certificate of object and PE is to allow any person to quickly understand what a legal case involves and its current stage without having to read through the entire case file. This is especially important in Brazil, where court proceedings can be lengthy and files can contain thousands of pages. By obtaining this certificate, you can verify whether a case is still active, whether it has already been decided, or whether it is in a phase such as discovery, evidentiary hearings, or appeal. Companies often use it when doing due diligence on potential business partners or when verifying whether a competitor is involved in litigation. Lawyers use it to check the status of cases handled by other attorneys or to confirm the existence of a lawsuit that might affect their client’s interests.
Another very common use is for proving legal activity to regulatory bodies or professional councils. For example, when applying for admission to the Brazilian Bar Association (OAB), candidates must demonstrate that they have no pending criminal cases. A certificate of object and PE can show whether a criminal lawsuit exists and what the outcome was. Similarly, public contest organizers often require candidates to present this certificate to prove that they are not involved in any legal disputes that could disqualify them. Even private companies, when hiring executives or offering large contracts, may request this certificate as part of a background check. In sum, the certificate is a versatile tool that provides transparency and trust in legal and business environments. For more practical information, the TJDFT website has a service page explaining the certificate.
Who Can Request It?
In general, any person can request a certificate of object and PE for a given case. The Brazilian legal system recognizes the principle of public access to court proceedings, so anyone – whether a party, a lawyer, a journalist, or an ordinary citizen – can ask the court to issue this document. However, there is an important exception for cases that are subject to secrecy of justice. When a case is confidential (for instance, family law matters involving minors, or some criminal investigations), only the parties, their attorneys, or other authorized representatives can obtain the certificate. In those situations, the court will verify the identity and legal interest of the requester before issuing the document.
Below is a list of the main categories of people who can request the certificate in most circumstances:
- Plaintiffs, defendants, and other parties to the case.
- Lawyers representing any of the parties.
- Third parties who can demonstrate a legitimate interest (e.g., potential buyers of property involved in a lawsuit).
- Public authorities, such as tax auditors or police investigators.
For sealed cases, the request must be made directly by a party or their legal representative, and the court will check if the person has the right to access the information. In any situation, it is advisable to contact the court registry beforehand to confirm the exact procedure, as rules can differ slightly between state and federal courts. The goal is to protect sensitive information while still allowing transparent access to public proceedings.
How to Request the Certificate
The process for obtaining a certificate of object and PE depends on whether the case is being processed in physical (paper) format or electronically. For physical processes, you must go to the secretariat of the court where the case is filed. You can present your request in person, usually by filling out a simple form that identifies the case by its process number, the parties, or the subject matter. Some courts also accept requests by post or email, but it is always best to check the specific court’s website or call their service desk. After submitting the request, the court will generate the certificate and make it available for pickup or send it to you by mail.
For electronic processes, which are now the standard in most Brazilian courts, the procedure is even simpler. You can request the certificate directly through the online case management system (such as PJe – Processo Judicial Eletrônico). If you have access to the case files, you can generate the certificate yourself, as many systems have a function to issue it automatically. Alternatively, you can send an email to the court’s registry, use the official messaging app, or contact the Balcão Virtual (virtual counter) that many courts now offer. In either case, the certificate is usually issued within five business days, unless there is a justified delay. The certificate can be delivered in digital format with a valid electronic signature, which has the same legal force as a physical document.
Processing Time and Fees
Brazilian courts generally aim to issue the certificate of object and PE within five business days from the date of the request. This standard is based on internal regulations and the service agreements published by tribunals such as the TRT3 and TJDFT. However, in practice, the time may vary depending on the court’s workload and the complexity of the case. If the case has many volumes or involves multiple parties, the clerks may need extra time to gather all the relevant information. In urgent situations, it is possible to request expedited issuance, though that is not always guaranteed. There is usually no fee for obtaining this certificate, as it is considered a basic service of the judiciary. However, some courts may charge a small administrative fee if the certificate is requested in a physical copy or if it must be sent by mail. Always verify the policies of the specific court before sending any payment.
References
Wikipedia. "Certidão de objeto e pé." Accessed 2025. https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Certid%C3%A3o_de_objeto_e_p%C3%A9.
TJDFT – Tribunal de Justiça do Distrito Federal e Territórios. "Certidão de Objeto e Pé." Accessed 2025. https://www.tjdft.jus.br/carta-de-servicos/servicos/certidoes/objeto-e-pe.
Jusbrasil. "Certidão de Objeto e Pé: O que é, para que serve e quem pode requerer." Accessed 2025. https://www.jusbrasil.com.br/artigos/certidao-de-objeto-e-pe-o-que-e-pra-que-serve-e-quem-pode-requerer/664010881.
TJMT – Tribunal de Justiça de Mato Grosso. "Certidão de Objeto e Pé." Accessed 2025. https://www.tjmt.jus.br/paginas/servicos/certidoa-objeto-e-pe.
TJSP – Tribunal de Justiça de São Paulo. "Certidões Online." Accessed 2025. https://www.tjsp.jus.br/DownLoad/Imagens/Banners/CertidoesOnLine.pdf?637340144394196524.
TRT3 – Tribunal Regional do Trabalho da 3ª Região. "Certidão de Objeto e Pé – Informações Gerais." Accessed 2025. https://certidao.trt3.jus.br/certidao/objetoepe/aba0.informacoesGerais.htm.
