What changes with the new CPF law? Understand rules for documents from now on

The Individual Taxpayer Registry (CPF) has become the only identification number that will appear on documents in Brazil from this year onwards. The change takes place thanks to Law 14,534/23 sanctioned by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) last year, and which came into force.

Now, the CPF will be the only identification number accepted in relations between the individual and public authorities. This means that to request any public services, you will need to have a CPF. This way, for example, the General Registry (RG) number will be dispensed with.

The change occurs to unify data in public services and make it easier for the population to remember just one numerical sequence, according to the federal government. From now on, new documents will also only include the CPF, excluding the need for specific numbers for each type of documentation.

Bodies and entities have a period of twelve months to adapt systems and procedures for serving citizens. In addition, there will be a twenty-four month limit to modify the systems between registries and databases based on the CPF registration number.

Brazilians who live abroad and do not yet have a CPF must make the request via the Federal Revenue website or by going to an office.

Documents that will only have the CPF number

• Birth certificate;
• Wedding certificate;
• Death certificate;
• National Identification Document (DNI);
• Worker Identification Number (NIT);
• Registration in the Social Integration Program (PIS) or in the Public Servant Asset Formation Program (Pasep);
• National Health Card;
• Voter registration card;
• Work and Social Security Card (CTPS);
• National Driving License (CNH);
• Military certificate;
• Professional license issued by the supervisory councils of a regulated profession such as the OAB;
• Other registration certificates and registration numbers existing in federal, state, district and municipal public databases.

What is Individual Registration?

According to the federal government, the Individual Taxpayer Registry (CPF) is a database managed by the Federal Revenue Service, which stores registration information on taxpayers required to register, or citizens who have registered voluntarily.

With the new law, every public service request will require the document number, which is why the federal government advises that citizens who do not have the documentation open a request on the Revenue website.

There is no minimum age for registration and Brazilians or foreigners, residing in Brazil or abroad, are permitted to register. Each person can only register once, which means that the CPF number is unique and definitive for each person.

In 2021, the document stopped being issued in physical form and became only available in the digital version with the “My digital CPF” application available for free download in cell phone app stores.