Table of Contents
1. What is a CPF?
CPF is the Brazilian individual taxpayer registry identification or so called tax ID.
You will need a CPF to:
- Buy SIM cards/mobile plans
- Start a company
- Purchase real estate
- Purchase vehicles
- Open local bank accounts
- Buy items online (iFood, Rappi, Mercado Livre etc.)
- Use healthcare services (Brazilian SUS) or private health insurance
- Study at universities/take part in education system
- Convert your driver’s licence to CNH (Brazilian driver’s licence)
As you can see, obtaining your CPF is a very important step and you will need this document for most of the activities and services in Brazil.
2. CPF Form & Protocolo de Atendimento
You will need to fill out a form on the Receita Federal website to start the process of getting your CPF, you can click here to visit the official RF website and start filling out the form. You can follow the guidelines I’ve made here on how to fill out this form:
IMPORTANT FOR THE USA READERS: The drop-down menu for the DDI (country prefix) of your contact phone number doesn’t include “001” or “1” for the USA country code, use “020” and explain it in the email.
3. In-person & Online
You will receive Protocolo de Atendimento on your e-mail which is valid for 90 days.
3A) Now, you will either need to contact a Brazilian embassy/consulate in your country to get a date for your visit in-person with the following documents:
- A valid passport
- Protocolo de Atendimento (print it and bring it with you)
- Utility bill (to prove your residency, from your home country – anything like an electricity bill, internet bill etc., no older than 90 days)
- Birth certificate (depends on the country/consulate – usually only for minors and guardians)
3B) OR if you are already inside Brazil, you will visit the nearest post office (Correios), Banco do Brasil branch, Caixa Econômica Federal branch or Receita Federal and pay a small fee to generate your CPF – in this step you’ll need the following documents:
- A valid passport
- Local (Brazilian) proof of address (usually a utility bill or a rental contract)
- Your e-mail address
- Mother’s/Father’s full names as listed on your birth certificate
3C) OR you will write an email to one of the e-mails from this website Receita Federal e-mails.
I suggest you follow this video and skip to 2:18 where the content creator The TMax explains what you should include in your email to Receita Federal. The online way is now only available to some people as written on the official RF website:
4. RER Document & Finishing up
You will be presented with a form to sign called RER by MRE (Ministry of foreign affairs), make sure to check all the data is correct and sign it. Once done, all you need to do is wait for your CPF to be generated, embassy/consulate will email it to you in a PDF file.
I want to thank r/HangarQueen for the DDI (country prefix) contribution and other Reddit users from r/Brazil subreddit that tested the online version and gave me feedback whether it still works. I am open to contribution from others in the community and will credit whoever helps spreading correct information.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or tax advice. Consult a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the CPF the same as the CRNM?
No, your CPF is a tax identification number used for financial transactions and administrative records. The CRNM is your official foreign resident ID card issued by the RF.
Can I open a Brazilian bank account without a CPF?
You cannot open a local bank account without a CPF. However, you can use Wise PIX option to send (not receive) funds or check out our guide How to Pay with Pix as a Foreigner (No CPF Required)
Does my CPF expire or need renewal?
No, CPF does not expire and does not need renewal once issued.
Can anyone get a CPF?
Yes, any individual has the right to apply for a CPF.
How long does it take to get a CPF?
Via email (online) within a few days, in-person inside Brazil at RF office usually same day and applying in your country via consulate (abroad) from week up to a month.
