CPF
CPF stands for Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas. It is basically a Brazilian Social Security Number. You are under no obligation to apply for a CPF—lots of gringos don’t bother and they get along here just fine. However, if you are planning to live in Brazil for a while I recommend getting one. The application process is relatively straightforward and you will need a CPF number if you ever want to buy plane tickets online, rent movies, or attempt advanced bureaucratic feats beyond the scope of this article.
I applied for my CPF at a Banco do Brasil. I believe you can also apply at a correio (post office).
How do you do it?
1) Go to a Banco do Brasil and tell them you want a CPF (pronounced “say pay effy”).
2) Fill out the form and provide your passport number. You may or may not be asked to present your actual passport.
3) Pay R$5.50.
4) You will be given a slip of paper that you will need to take to a Receita Federal (you have a few months to get this done). There are various Receita Federal offices located throughout the city. (Some of them are located in the Poupatempos, the bureaucratic Disneylands where all sorts of government errands can be accomplished in the same place).
5) Wait a few weeks and then voila! Your CPF card will come to your house via snail mail.
