How to get a Brazilian CPF as a foreigner

What the CPF is, and why a buyer needs it

CPF stands for Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas, the Federal Revenue's register of individuals. It is not a visa and it does not give you residence: it is a tax number, like a taxpayer ID.

For a property purchase, it is mandatory: the registry record of every property in Brazil lists the owner's CPF (Lei 6.015/1973, art. 176). The developer, the notary and the bank that handles your foreign exchange will ask for it first.

Applying from abroad: at a Brazilian consulate

1. Book an appointment at the Brazilian consulate that serves your area, through the e-Consular system.
2. Go in person with your passport and the documents the consulate lists on its page.
3. The service is free. You receive the registration certificate (Comprovante de Inscrição no CPF).

Your name must match your passport exactly. A CPF with a different spelling becomes a problem at the notary and the registry later.

Applying in Brazil

If you are in Brazil, Banco do Brasil, Caixa, the Post Office (Correios) and notary offices register you for a R$ 7 fee, with your passport.

Through someone in Brazil

Someone you appoint can apply for you. A power of attorney signed abroad needs an apostille (Brazil joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 2016) or consular legalization, and a sworn translation if it is not in Portuguese.

After you have it

• There is no CPF card: your proof is the registration certificate, which you can reprint on the Federal Revenue's website.
• If your address is abroad and you are 16 or older, update your CPF details once a year in the Federal Revenue app. Missing it can suspend the CPF.
• The CPF does not expire, and the number stays the same if you later move to Brazil.