How much does it cost to get a CPF at a consulate?

CPF registration at Brazilian consulates is free. There is no government fee. If you get it inside Brazil at a Correios post office, the fee is R$7.

How long does it take to get a CPF from a consulate?

Most consulates issue the CPF same-day. Some locations take up to two weeks. The main delay is usually getting an appointment, which can take one to three weeks depending on the consulate.

What documents do I need for a CPF at the consulate?

You need your valid passport, birth certificate showing your parents names, and your mothers full legal name. Some consulates may ask for proof of reason for needing a CPF such as property purchase or business activity.

Can I get a CPF online from outside Brazil?

The Receita Federal online portal at servicos.receita.fazenda.gov.br allows some foreigners to register for a CPF online. Availability varies and the system can be intermittent. The consulate method is more reliable.

Updated April 2026

How to Get a CPF from Outside Brazil

You do not need to be in Brazil to get a CPF. Brazilian consulates worldwide process CPF applications, and in some cases you can even register online. This guide covers the exact process for each method, with country-specific details for the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and South Africa.

Three ways to get a CPF before you arrive

1. Brazilian consulate (most reliable)

Book an appointment through the e-Consular system, bring your documents, and walk out with a CPF number. This is the method that works for every nationality, every time. The service is free at all Brazilian consulates.

2. Receita Federal online portal

The Receita Federal website at servicos.receita.fazenda.gov.br sometimes allows foreigners to register online. You submit your passport details, mother's full name, and birth information. When it works, you get a CPF number within minutes to 72 hours. The catch: availability is intermittent and not all nationalities are supported.

3. Email a Receita Federal regional office

You can email scanned documents to a regional Receita Federal office in Brazil. Processing takes 3 to 7 days. If you do not hear back within a week, try a different regional office. This method is less predictable but works as a backup.

Documents you need

Regardless of method, you need:

✓ Valid passport (original for consulate visits, scanned copy for online/email)
✓ Birth certificate showing your parents' names
✓ Mother's full legal name (this is a mandatory field in the CPF system)

Some consulates may also ask for proof of why you need a CPF, such as a property purchase agreement or business documentation. For most people, stating that you plan to live in or frequently visit Brazil is sufficient.

Country-by-country consulate guide

United States

Brazil has consulates in Miami, New York, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Atlanta, San Francisco, Washington DC, and Hartford. Book through the e-Consular system at econsular.itamaraty.gov.br. Appointment wait times vary by location. Miami typically has the longest waits (up to three weeks for an available slot). Smaller consulates like Hartford or Atlanta often have faster availability.

The CPF is issued same-day at most US consulates. Bring your passport and birth certificate originals. The service is free.

United Kingdom

The Brazilian consulate in London processes CPF applications. Book through e-Consular. Bring your passport and birth certificate. Processing is typically same-day. The UK consulate is generally less busy than major US locations, so appointment availability is better.

Canada

Brazilian consulates in Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver all process CPF applications. Same booking process through e-Consular, same documents required. Processing is same-day to one week depending on the consulate.

Australia

The Brazilian consulate in Sydney and the embassy in Canberra both handle CPF registrations. Book through e-Consular. Given the distance and smaller Brazilian community, appointment availability is usually good. Processing takes same-day to two weeks.

South Africa

The Brazilian embassy in Pretoria and the consulate in Cape Town process CPF applications. Book through e-Consular. South Africa has a growing community of people moving between SA and Brazil, so this service is well-established. Processing is typically within one week.

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The e-Consular booking process

All Brazilian consulates use the same online booking system:

Go to econsular.itamaraty.gov.br
Create an account or log in
Select your nearest consulate
Choose "CPF" or "Cadastro de Pessoa Fisica" as the service
Pick an available date and time
Bring your original documents to the appointment

The system is in Portuguese but navigable. If you get stuck, most consulates also accept phone calls to schedule appointments.

Online registration via Receita Federal

The Receita Federal occasionally opens online CPF registration for foreigners. When available, it is the fastest method. You submit your passport information, mother's full name, and date of birth. The CPF number can be issued within minutes.

The reality: this portal goes up and down without warning. Some nationalities work and others do not. If the online method works for you, great. If not, the consulate method is your guaranteed backup.

Important: the annual recadastramento requirement

Starting in 2025, all foreigners aged 16 and older who hold a CPF and live outside Brazil must complete an annual recadastramento (re-registration) through the Receita Federal mobile app. This was mandated by Instrucao Normativa 2236/2024.

The process involves taking a selfie while holding your passport open to the identification page. You have from January 1 to December 31 each year to complete it. If you skip it, your CPF status changes to "suspended," which freezes any linked bank accounts and blocks you from financial services in Brazil.

This is a new requirement that most guides do not mention yet. If you get a CPF from outside Brazil and do not plan to move there immediately, set a calendar reminder to complete the annual recadastramento.

Should you get your CPF before or after arriving?

Getting it before you arrive means you land in Brazil ready to open a bank account, get a SIM card, and use Pix from day one. No wasted time at the Receita Federal during your first week.

Getting it after you arrive gives you more flexibility with documents (especially proof of address) and typically faster processing. Most people in Brazil get their CPF within a single visit.

If you have a consulate appointment available before your trip, get it done early. If your travel date is soon and consulate slots are weeks out, get it in Brazil instead.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get a CPF without going to Brazil?

Yes. Any Brazilian consulate worldwide can process your CPF application. You can also try the Receita Federal online portal, though availability varies.

How much does it cost at a consulate?

Free. CPF registration at Brazilian consulates has no fee. Inside Brazil, Correios post offices charge R$7. Receita Federal offices are also free.

How long does it take?

Most consulates issue the CPF same-day. Some take up to two weeks. The main wait is usually getting an appointment slot, which can take one to three weeks.

What if the online portal does not work for my nationality?

Use the consulate method instead. It works for every nationality. The online portal is a bonus when available, not the primary path.

Do I need to do anything after getting my CPF?

If you live outside Brazil, you must complete the annual recadastramento via the Receita Federal app. This is a yearly selfie verification to keep your CPF active.

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