As of October 2023, Brazil is no longer following the process described below for foreigners who wish to obtain a CPF number in Brazil while in the United States. For information about the current process, read our blog article "Brazil Tightens CPF Application Process for Foreigners."

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Nearly all business transactions in Brazil require that foreigners have a taxpayer ID number – just like the locals have. Want to buy a condo in Rio? Or maybe you want to form a company in São Paulo. In each case, you must have a taxpayer ID number.

Individuals need a CPF or cadastro de pessoas físicas. A CPF is similar to a social security number in the US in that a person’s financial history is associated with the number. Companies, on the other hand, need a CNPJ or cadastro nacional de pessoas jurídicas. A CNPJ is similar to an EIN in the US.

Unlike a social security number or EIN, however, Brazilians use their CPFs and CNPJs everywhere and for everything. It’s not a “state secret” like our social security numbers are here. In Brazil, even a cashier at the grocery store will ask you for your CPF (don’t worry, you don’t have to give it out if you don’t want to).

The big question: how to get a CPF number in Brazil and how to get a CNPJ number in Brazil. CPF numbers and CNPJ numbers can be easily obtained from the tax authorities (Receita Federal) in person if you’re in Brazil. They can also be gotten with a power of attorney if you’re not planning to leave the US. And if you prefer, you can even get a CPF at your local Brazilian Consulate, both in person and by mail.

Just make sure you’re prepared with the proper documents when you apply for the taxpayer ID numbers. You’ll need personal or company documents with the appropriate notarizations and apostille stamps. But that’s a whole other topic for another day.