Official decree document with Brazilian government letterhead and stamp

Official document of the Brazilian government with letterhead and stamp, used to publish laws, regulations, and normative acts.

About this subject

Decrees are administrative acts issued exclusively by the head of the Executive branch, whether the President of the Republic, governors, or mayors. In Brazil, federal decrees are numbered and published in the Official Gazette of the Union, but printed versions on letterhead paper with stamps are still used to formalize internal processes and historical archives. The letterhead typically features the coat of arms of the Republic and the identification of the issuing body, while the stamp may contain the date, signature, and protocol number. These documents have the force of law and can regulate everything from budgetary matters to public office appointments. The tradition of letterhead paper dates back to the Empire, when the royal seal authenticated imperial orders. Currently, despite increasing digitization, many public agencies still maintain physical copies to ensure legal certainty and the authenticity of acts. The stamp, in particular, is a verification element that attests to the document's validity before third parties.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a decree and a law?

A law is approved by the Legislative branch (National Congress, state assemblies, or city councils) and sanctioned by the Executive. A decree is an exclusive act of the Executive, used to regulate laws or deal with matters under its exclusive authority, such as appointments and administrative organization.

Where are federal decrees published?

Federal decrees are published in the Official Gazette of the Union (DOU), section 1, and are also available on the Presidency's website. The printed version on letterhead paper is an additional formality for archiving and internal processes.

Can a decree be revoked?

Yes, decrees can be revoked by another decree from the same head of the Executive or by a later law. Revocation can be express (when the new act explicitly annuls the previous one) or tacit (when the matter is regulated incompatibly).