I’m (almost) a Brazilian Citizen!!!

By Shawn Selleck

In this guest post my cousin Shawn, who moved to Brazil this summer, describes how he managed to obtain Brazil’s version of a social security number.

So, I still have a U.S. passport, but as of today there isn’t much a Brazilian can do that I can’t. I just received my CPF! What is a CPF? Well, it is basically the equivalent of a U.S. Social Security number (SSN). And frankly, I am shocked how easy it was. So much for Brazilian bureaucracy! CPF stands for Cadastro de Pessoa Fisica (Registration of a Physical Person).

If you are coming to Brazil for at least a couple of months, then it might be worth your time to get one. You need one to conduct any business transaction, including opening your own bank account (although this generally requires permanent residency too).

Lots of blogs make it sound complicated and there are even companies that you can pay to facilitate getting your CPF. But if you are a foreigner, staying IN Brazil for a couple of months, with your own residence, then it is as simple as 1-2-3!

1. I went to the post office with my passport, internet bill, and $R4.50 (about $2 US).
2. With the receipt I received at the post office, I went to the local Receita Federal (a government office) four days later so they could confirm my documents (and I only waited 20 minutes).
3. They gave me a piece of paper with my CPF number! (An actual card will come in the mail in a couple of weeks.)

First of all let me say that I am only speaking from my own personal experience. I am single (you might need a marriage certificate if you are not). I am living in the state of Sao Paulo that allows you to start the process in a post office. The best sites I found about CPFs were the San Francisco Consulate, Gringos, and AngloInfo.  And you must file a tax declaration each year to keep your CPF active (even if you have no income).

Identity Theft. Also, I’m still trying to figure out how protective of my CPF I should be. Some web sites say that your identity could be stolen if someone has your CPF, just like with the SSN in the US. But the cashier at the grocery store asks if you want to enter your CPF every time you check out, and people just recite theirs out loud! Can you imagine the cashier asking you what your social security number is at Wal-mart?

Well, I’m off to rent a movie, because now I can get a Blockbuster account with my new CPF!