1. An official or ceremonious ask for something, made in accordance with established procedures or conventions
The company submitted a formal request for an extension of the deadline.
A empresa apresentou um pedido formal para prorrogação do prazo.
2. A written or verbal petition made through proper channels, typically requiring a documented response
She filed a formal request to access the archived documents.
Ela apresentou um pedido formal para acessar os documentos arquivados.