Frequently Asked Questions

A CPF (Cadastro de Pessoas Fisicas) is Brazil's individual taxpayer number. It is the single document that separates people who can function in Brazil from people who are stuck as tourists. You need one to open a bank account, get a phone plan, rent an apartment, use Pix payments, order food delivery, buy anything online, sign up for a gym, and access most Brazilian apps and services. Without it, you are locked out of modern life in Brazil.

No. Once you have a CPF number, it is yours for life. It does not expire and does not need to be renewed, regardless of your visa status or how long you stay in Brazil. Even if you leave and come back years later, your CPF is still valid.

A CPF is for individuals. A CNPJ is for businesses. Most foreigners only need a CPF. You only need a CNPJ if you are specifically operating a business in Brazil, selling to Brazilian customers, or employing people locally. Read our full CPF vs CNPJ guide.

Yes. You do not need a work visa or permanent residency. Foreigners on any visa type, including tourist visas, can apply for and receive a CPF number at a Receita Federal office in Brazil.

In some cases, yes. Brazilian consulates in certain countries can process CPF applications. However, availability varies by country and consulate. Most foreigners find it easier and faster to apply in person once they arrive in Brazil.

Everything opens up. Open a bank account (Nubank takes 10 minutes), set up Pix payments, get a proper phone plan, rent an apartment on QuintoAndar, order on iFood and Rappi, shop on Mercado Livre and Amazon Brazil, sign up for a gym, and access government services. Your CPF is the key that unlocks modern life in Brazil. See our first week checklist.

With GetCPF, the online preparation takes about 5 minutes. The office visit at the Receita Federal takes 15-20 minutes if you show up with the right documents prepared. Most people have their CPF number the same day.

You need a valid passport with your Brazilian entry stamp or visa visible, proof of a Brazilian address (rental contract, utility bill, or host declaration letter), and your mother's full legal name. The proof of address is where most people get tripped up, especially if you are staying in an Airbnb or with a friend. GetCPF prepares all the forms and checks your documents before you go.

About one in five foreigners gets rejected on their first attempt, usually because of a wrong office, a name formatting issue, or invalid proof of address. Our AI document checker verifies your documents before you go, which prevents most rejections. If you followed our steps and still got rejected, we offer a full refund, no questions asked.

Not with GetCPF. Your Ready Pack includes a Portuguese cheat sheet with every phrase you might need at the office, plus form data ready to copy so you do not need to fill anything out in Portuguese yourself. The clerk processes your application, you do not need to have a conversation.

Yes. GetCPF works for passport holders from most nationalities. We personalise your Ready Pack based on your nationality and visa type.

We prepare everything so your office visit works on the first try. Your form data ready to copy and paste for your specific state, the correct Receita Federal office with directions, an AI document checker that verifies your passport and proof of address before you go, a Portuguese cheat sheet for the office visit, a host declaration letter generator if you are staying with someone, and a complete Ready Pack you can download and print.

$29, one-time payment. No subscription, no hidden fees. This includes your full Ready Pack with form data ready to copy, office directions, document checker, Portuguese cheat sheet, and money-back guarantee.

Yes, you can. The CPF is a free government service if you apply in person at a Receita Federal office in Brazil, and it's typically free or low cost at Brazilian consulates abroad. You can also apply via email directly to Receita Federal at no charge. We're not selling access to the CPF. We're selling done for you document preparation so your application doesn't get rejected or delayed. Our fee covers the time, expertise, and hand holding to make sure it goes through cleanly the first time.

Those are two completely separate routes, and both work if you're willing to do the legwork. Consulates now require in person appointments, and wait times vary. Some locations have availability within days, others are backed up for weeks. Banco do Brasil, Correios, and Caixa branches can process applications in Brazil for a small fee (around R$7), but not every branch offers the service, and you'll need to show up in person with the right documents already prepared correctly.

Our service is for people who don't want to navigate Portuguese forms and don't want to risk a rejected application because they showed up with the wrong documents. You fill in your details, we give you your form data ready to copy and paste with translations, compile all your documents into one organised PDF, and run everything through a document checker before you go. No guesswork, no wasted trips.

Same reason people use accountants, visa services, or document prep companies anywhere in the world. You're paying to skip the research, the translation, the formatting rules, and the risk of a rejection that sends you back to the start. If you're comfortable figuring out Brazilian tax authority requirements in Portuguese and have time to spare, you don't need us. If you'd rather spend an afternoon on something else and have your CPF handled by people who do this every day, that's what we're here for.

Yes. Your data is encrypted and only accessible to you. Sensitive information like your passport number and document photos are automatically deleted shortly after you download your Ready Pack. We never sell or share your information. Read our data retention policy.