CPF, Bank Account and Federal Police Registration in Brazil

Almost everything in Brazil starts with three things: a CPF, a registration with the Federal Police, and a bank account. Get them in the right order and the first weeks go smoothly. Get them wrong and you spend days in queues.

We are an international family living in Ceará, and this is the sequence we recommend. Procedures, fees and deadlines change and differ by office, so verify the current steps on official sites or with your consulate or an immigration lawyer.

The 3-step sequence

1. CPF: your tax ID.
2. Federal Police registration: your migrant identity.
3. Bank account and Pix: daily payments.

Step 1: The CPF

The Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas (CPF) is an 11-digit tax number issued by the Receita Federal. You need it to rent a home, sign a mobile contract, buy a car or property, open most bank accounts, shop online at Brazilian stores and file taxes.

How foreigners get it

• Before arriving: some Brazilian consulates abroad can issue the CPF as part of or alongside visa services. Ask yours.
• After arriving: you can apply through the Receita Federal's channels, at certain service points, or via authorized partners such as some banks and post offices. Requirements typically include a valid passport and proof of address or entry details.

Check the current procedure on the official page: Receita Federal, CPF.

Tips

• The CPF is free from the Receita Federal. Be careful of intermediaries charging high fees for something you can do officially.
• Keep your CPF number and a printout of the registration. You will use it daily.
• Make sure the name on your CPF matches your passport exactly.

Step 2: Federal Police registration (CRNM)

If you enter Brazil with a visa for residence, you generally must register with the Federal Police within a legal deadline after arrival. Registration produces your CRNM, the Carteira de Registro Nacional Migratório, which is your national migrant ID card.

The general process

1. Book an appointment online through the Federal Police's migrant system and pay the applicable fee (the fee is paid via a federal payment slip, called a GRU).
2. Gather documents: passport with visa, proof of entry, CPF, photos if required, proof of the visa basis and proof of address, as requested.
3. Attend the appointment for fingerprints and photo.
4. Receive a protocol, then collect your card when it is ready.

Rules on documents, fees and deadlines depend on your visa type. Start here: Polícia Federal, Migrante no Brasil.

Tips

• Appointment slots in busy cities can be limited. Check early and look at other Federal Police posts in Ceará if Fortaleza is full.
• Bring originals and copies.
• Keep the protocol document. Banks and landlords often accept it while your card is being produced, but policies differ.

Step 3: Opening a bank account

With a CPF and your migrant documents, you can open a Brazilian bank account.

Options

• Traditional banks (Banco do Brasil, Caixa, Itaú, Bradesco, Santander): often want proof of residence and your CRNM or protocol, and may require an in-branch visit.
• Digital banks (Nubank, Inter and others): quicker onboarding, but they can have their own foreigner rules. Policies change, so test early.
• International-friendly services: useful for receiving foreign income and converting currency. Compare real conversion spreads, not only headline fees.

What to prepare

• Passport and CPF.
• Visa and CRNM (or the protocol).
• Proof of address in Brazil (a rental contract or utility bill, depending on the bank).
• Sometimes proof of income.

If one branch refuses you, try another. Practices differ between branches and over time.

Pix: the payment tool you will use daily

Pix is Brazil's instant payment system, run by the Central Bank. It is free for individuals in most cases, works 24/7 and is used for everything from rent to market stalls. Once your account is open, register a Pix key (CPF, phone, email or a random key). See the Banco Central page on Pix.

Getting money into Brazil

• Use regulated channels that document the transfer, particularly for large sums, a property purchase or a company investment.
• For a business or property investment, ask your lawyer about Central Bank registration of foreign capital.
• Keep records of origin of funds.

Other early to-dos

• Mobile plan: prepaid first, contract later with your CPF.
• Health plan: compare options once your documents are in order.
• Driver's license: rules for using a foreign license differ. Verify with the traffic authority (DETRAN) before relying on yours.
• Tax residency: speak to a cross-border accountant before you move.

Common mistakes

• Waiting too long for the Federal Police registration.
• Using an unofficial "fixer" who charges heavily for the CPF.
• Moving large sums through informal channels.
• Not keeping digital and paper copies of everything.

Where this fits

These steps are the foundation for everything else, whether you plan to rent in Fortaleza, buy property or invest through a company.

A sample 30-day timeline

Every case differs, but a sensible plan for the first month looks like this:

• Before you fly: ask your consulate about CPF issuance, gather apostilled documents, and make digital and paper copies of everything.
• Days 1 to 3: get your CPF if you do not have it, buy a prepaid SIM and settle into your short-term rental.
• Days 3 to 7: book your Federal Police appointment and pay the fee. Confirm your deadline.
• Weeks 2 and 3: attend the appointment, open a bank account and register your Pix key.
• Week 4: collect your card if it is ready, start looking at health plans and schools, and begin your long-term housing search.

Adjust this to your visa type and local office availability.

Documents to prepare before you land

Having the right paperwork saves weeks. Typical items include a valid passport, your visa, proof of the basis of your visa (employment, pension or investment documents), a criminal record certificate, birth and marriage certificates if family members are involved, and passport-style photos. Foreign documents often need an apostille and a sworn translation into Portuguese. Ask your consulate or lawyer which of these you will actually need, since requirements differ by visa type and by office.

If something goes wrong

• Appointment slots are full: check other Federal Police posts and look again at different times of day.
• A bank refuses your application: try another branch or another bank. Ask what document is missing.
• A name mismatch on documents: correct it early. Small differences between passport, CPF and visa can cause problems later.
• Lost protocol or card: report it and follow the official replacement procedure promptly.
• Confusion about deadlines: ask the Federal Police or a lawyer in writing, and keep a record of the answer.

Next steps

Get your personalized checklist with the free Reloca.ai relocation report. If you want someone to walk you through the sequence, book a free concierge call. More on moving to Brazil is on our Brazil hub.

FAQ

Can I get a CPF before I move to Brazil? Often yes, through certain consulates or channels. Procedures vary, so ask your consulate or check the Receita Federal.

Is the CPF free? Through the official Receita Federal channels it is free or low-cost. Beware of intermediaries charging large fees.

How soon after arrival must I register with the Federal Police? There is a legal deadline that depends on your visa type. Check the current rule on the Federal Police site and book your appointment immediately.

Can I open a bank account without the CRNM? Some banks accept the registration protocol. Policies differ by bank and branch.

What is Pix? Brazil's instant payment system. You register a key linked to your CPF, phone or email and can pay or receive money instantly, around the clock.