Ministério das Relações Exteriores

CPF for Foreigners

In order to apply for a CPF number at the Consulate, follow instructions bellow:

1)     Visit the website of Receita Federal, download the proper form and fill it out;  

2)     If you are applying in person at the Consulate, bring a valid ID with picture, so we can make an authenticated copy of this document. The fee is $5.00 (cash or money order only, please). If you are mailing your CPF application, make a notarized copy of your ID and include a legalization fee in the amount of $20.00 (cash or money order only, please). Effective January 1^st, 2008, the Consulate-General will no longer accept delivery of envelopes transported by courier services such as Federal Express, UPS, DHL and others.  The Consulate General will only accept delivery of envelopes transported by the United States Postal Service (Post Office). The same rule applies to envelopes for returning documents: only pre-paid U.S. Postal Service envelopes will be accepted for returning documents.

Please take note of your application’s number as it is your control number to be used for a future follow up on your application at the Receita Federal’s website, where you can obtain your CPF number. After we send it to Brazil, the Consulate is unable to provide any follow up in your application. The processing time is 4-8 weeks.

 Applying in Brazil:

1) Go to a “cartório” bringing certified copies of the following documents:
a) foreign passport (identification pages and Brazilian visa’s page);
b) proof of address in Brazil (the address to where your CPF card will be sent);
c) marriage certificate issued by a Brazilian Consulate (or a Brazilian “cartório”), if applicable; 

2) Proceed to the closest Caixa Econômica Federal (CEF), fill out the proper form, and pay the application fee. You will receive a receipt of application. Allow at least one day before going to the closest Receita Federal office, where you will present all the documents listed above plus your receipt of application.  You will receive your CPF number in minutes, after the clerk check all your documents  and information.