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How to get a CPF in Brazil as a foreigner

Brazil's taxpayer number unlocks almost everything: a phone plan, a bank account, Pix, a rental contract. Here's how to get yours, free or for R$7, usually in a day or two.

By Manfred Zedazi Updated October 2026 · 6 min read Based on official sources
What it is
Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas, Brazil's taxpayer ID
Who can get one
Any foreigner, including tourists
Cost
Free at the Receita Federal, R$7 at partner units
Time
Minutes in person, about 48 hours by email
Issued by
Receita Federal (Brazil's tax authority)
Visa needed?
No

Why you need a CPF

The CPF is an 11-digit number that Brazilian companies ask for constantly. Without one you'll struggle to:

  • Get a Brazilian phone number on a real plan
  • Open a bank account and use Pix, Brazil's instant payment system
  • Sign a rental contract or set up electricity and internet
  • Buy online, order delivery or sign up for a gym
  • Apply for residency or register at the Federal Police

It's a tax number, not a visa. Having a CPF doesn't change your immigration status, and you can get one even as a visitor.

Three ways to get it

1. Free, through the Receita Federal (online + email)

Fill in the Receita Federal's online form for foreigners ("Inscrever Estrangeiro no CPF" on gov.br). Then send your documents to the Receita by email, including a photo of you holding your passport next to your face. Answers by email usually take about 48 hours.

2. R$7, in person at Banco do Brasil, Caixa or Correios

These partner units can register your CPF on the spot for a R$7 fee. It's the fastest option if you're in a city with a branch nearby and don't mind a queue. Bring original documents.

3. In person at a Receita Federal unit

Free, but you may need an appointment and the wait can be long in big cities. Useful if your case is unusual, for example a name that doesn't fit the form.

Still abroad? You can also request a CPF through the Brazilian consulate that covers where you live, so it's ready when you land.

Documents you need

  • Valid passportYour official photo ID. Bring the original if you go in person.
  • Proof of your parents' namesThe form asks for your mother's name. If your passport doesn't show it, bring a birth or marriage certificate (or an equivalent document).
  • RNM or protocol, if you have oneNot required, but if you already registered with the Federal Police, use the same details.
  • Selfie holding your passportOnly for the email route: your face and the passport photo page clearly visible.

Step by step (free route)

  1. Open the Receita Federal's CPF form for foreigners on gov.br and fill it in exactly as your passport is written: same spelling, same order of names, same date format.
  2. Save the protocol number the form gives you at the end.
  3. Email the Receita Federal service for your region with the protocol number, a scan of your passport, the document showing your mother's name and your passport selfie.
  4. Wait for the reply (usually about 48 hours). It includes your CPF number.
  5. Download your comprovante de inscrição (proof of registration) from the Receita website and save it as a PDF on your phone.
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Mistakes that cause problems later

  1. Names that don't match your passport. Banks and the Federal Police cross-check. A missing middle name can block an account.
  2. The wrong mother's name. It's part of your identity in Brazil, and it has to match your documents.
  3. Getting two CPFs. You can only have one for life. If you lost your number, look it up rather than registering again.
  4. Ignoring a "pendente de regularização" status. If your CPF shows as pending or suspended, fix it before you open a bank account or apply for residency.

Never pay a website that "sells" CPF numbers. The CPF is issued only by the Receita Federal and its partner units, and the official fee is at most R$7.

FAQ

Can a tourist get a CPF?

Yes. You don't need a visa or residence permit. Visitors, residents and people living abroad can all register for a CPF.

Do I need a Brazilian address?

You fill in an address on the form, but you usually don't need to prove it. Your current address in Brazil, such as a rental, is fine.

Is there a CPF card?

Not in the old sense. Your proof of registration (comprovante de inscrição) is what you show, so keep the PDF on your phone. You can download it again from the Receita Federal website at any time.

Does a CPF make me a tax resident?

No. Tax residency depends on how long you stay and your immigration status, not on having a CPF. Ask an accountant about your situation.

Can I use my CPF to open a bank account right away?

Some digital banks open accounts for foreigners with a CPF and passport, while others ask for an RNM. Policies change often, so check before you apply.

Sources

Governo Federal, Inscrever no CPF (channels, R$7 fee at partner units, email service) · Receita Federal, CPF form for people abroad · Governo Federal, Inscrever no CPF no exterior