Individual Taxpayer Registry (CPF)

In Brazil, the CPF (Cadastro de Pessoa Física/Physical Person Registration) is similar to the Social Security card in the United States. It is necessary for opening a bank account, purchasing and activating a cellular phone, renting an apartment, and just about any other transaction which a person would engage in if he/she intends to stay in Brazil for more than a month. Foreigners can apply for a CPF number at their local Brazilian consulate (with an expected response time of one month) or can obtain a CPF number after arriving in Brasil (with an expected response time of a few days).

CPF for Foreigners – Instructions

In order to apply for a CPF number at the Local Brazilian Consulate, call the Consulate and ask for instructions or follow the instructions below:

1) Visit the website of Receita Federal, download the proper form and fill it out;

2) If you are applying in person at the Local Brazilian Consulate, bring a valid ID with picture, so they can make a notarized copy of this document. If you are mailing your CPF application, make a notarized copy of your ID and include a legalization fee.

Please take note of your application’s number as it is your control number to be used for a future follow up on your application at the Receita Federal’s website, where you can obtain your CPF number.

Applying in Brazil

In order to issue a CPF in Brazil you need the following documents:

1) passport;
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2) a receipt of the payment of the CPF issuing fee (must be paid in the post-office at least one day before going to Receita Federal).

With the above documents, go to Receita Federal. There is one Receita Federal at Shopping Light near Anhangabaú Station (take the red line and get off at Anhangabaú Station). The CPF process takes only a few minutes.