Registration
What it is
The Individual Taxpayer Registry (CPF) is a database managed by the Brazilian Federal Revenue Service (RFB), which stores registration information on taxpayers who are obliged to register with the CPF, or on citizens who have registered voluntarily.
Brazilian or foreign citizens, of any age, who own or wish to own, in Brazil, assets and rights subject to public registration, including real estate, vehicles, boats, aircraft, shareholdings, bank accounts or investments in the financial market, must register with the CPF.
⚠️ The CPF number is assigned only once (unique and definitive), without the possibility of a second registration.
How to apply
The CPF must be applied for either online, on the Receita Federal website, or in person at the Consulate.
Applying online is only available to Brazilian citizens. After filling in the form, a service protocol will be generated, which can be completed in one of the following ways:
- Sending the required documents directly to the Receita Federal e-mail address cpf.residente.exterior@rfb.gov.br, without having to go to the Consulate (only for Brazilian citizens); or
- Going to the Consulate to present the documents. In this case, the appointment must be made through the e-Consular system before attending. Check out the system tutorial here.
⚠️ The CPF form from the Receita Federal has outdated information, according to which it would be necessary to go to the Consulate. If the documentation is sent by e-mail to the Receita Federal, it is not necessary to go to the Consulate.
⚠️ Foreign citizens living abroad should only apply for CPF registration through the Brazilian consular network, in person.
Documents required
Brazilians:
| 1 | Receita Federal form |
|
||||
| 2 | Identity document (original) |
|
||||
| 3 | Other documents |
|
||||
Foreigners:
| 1 |
|
|||||
| 2 | Valid passport | |||||
| 3 | If under 16 years old |
The minor must be present on the day of the appointment. |
||||
Applications made by a Brazilian attorney
In addition to the documents already listed, you will need to submit:
- Public or private power of attorney with notarized signature;
- The attorney-in-fact's original Brazilian identification document (the CPF number must appear on the document).
Consular fee
The service is free of charge.
Observations
⚠️ If there is an error in the registration data, the person concerned can apply for rectification at the Consulate, free of charge, within 90 days. After this period, the request will no longer be considered a correction, but a change, and can only be made by the Federal Revenue Service in Brazil.
⚠️ If there is a registration inconsistency, the application will be forwarded to the Receita Federal, which will analyze the application. In this case, the applicant will be able to follow the progress of their application on the Receita Federal website.