e-CNPJ A1 — 1 year | Online Issuance

The e-CNPJ A1 is the legal entity digital certificate for Brazilian companies, stored as a file on the legal representative's computer. It is valid for 1 year and issued via video call. It enables the company to issue electronic invoices, access e-CAC PJ (Receita Federal's online service portal for companies), sign documents with legal validity, meet tax obligations (EFD, eSocial, ECF, which are Brazilian digital tax, payroll and accounting filings) and take part in electronic public tenders.

Required documents (online issuance): CNH (Brazilian driver's license) of the legal representative issued after 2017 (mandatory). Any additional company documents will be requested during the video call itself, with no hassle.

What it is for

• Issuing NF-e (Brazilian electronic invoice, model 55)
• Issuing NFC-e (Brazilian electronic consumer invoice, model 65)
• Issuing CT-e (Brazilian Electronic Bill of Lading)
• Issuing MDF-e (Brazilian Electronic Fiscal Document Manifest)
• Issuing NFS-e (Brazilian electronic service invoice)
• Access to e-CAC PJ (Receita Federal, the Brazilian Federal Revenue Service, Legal Entities)
• Filing IRPJ, CSLL, PIS/COFINS and CIDE returns (Brazilian federal corporate taxes)
• Submitting EFD-Reinf (Brazilian Digital Tax Bookkeeping of Withholdings)
• Submitting eSocial (Brazilian digital payroll and labor reporting system) for Companies (payroll, hirings, terminations)
• Submitting ECF (Brazilian Tax Accounting Bookkeeping)
• Submitting ECD (Brazilian Digital Accounting Bookkeeping, SPED Accounting)
• Transmitting DCTFWeb (Brazilian federal tax debts and credits return)
• Reinstating an inactive or irregular company, signing the request on e-CAC (Receita Federal's online service portal) without appearing in person
• Access to the state SEFAZ (State Revenue Department) portal (SEFAZ-e, NFCE, among others)
• Communication with the Central Bank of Brazil (DLO, requests and information)
• Registration and filing of returns under Simples Nacional (Brazilian simplified tax regime for small businesses)
• Access to Caixa Econômica Federal's Conectividade Social (corporate FGTS, Brazilian employee severance fund)
• Public tenders and electronic reverse auctions (ComprasNet, BEC, PNCP)
• Registration with SISCOMEX (Brazilian Integrated Foreign Trade System) for foreign trade operations
• Registration with Receita Federal's Radar (Brazilian foreign trade operator authorization for imports and exports)
• Signing business contracts and corporate acts with legal validity
• Issuing electronic powers of attorney to represent the company
• Electronic communication with Juntas Comerciais (Brazilian state commercial registries) to open, amend and close a CNPJ (Brazilian company taxpayer ID)
• Access to the Social Security Services Portal (corporate INSS, Brazilian Social Security Institute)
• Issuing certificates of good standing (CND, CRF, CPEN)
• Signing business credit and financing agreements online
• Registration on supplier accreditation portals (supply chain)
• Electronic signing of corporate legal documents (contracts, minutes, bylaws)

Frequently asked questions

What is e-CNPJ (Brazilian company digital certificate) and what is it used for?

e-CNPJ is the Legal Entity Digital Certificate issued under the ICP-Brasil (Brazilian Public Key Infrastructure) standard. It digitally identifies the company, allowing it to issue electronic invoices, sign documents with legal validity, access government portals on behalf of the CNPJ (Brazilian company taxpayer ID) and meet all electronic tax, accounting and labor obligations required by Brazilian law.

Do I need an e-CNPJ (Brazilian company digital certificate) to issue NF-e (Brazilian electronic invoice)?

Yes. Issuing NF-e (Brazilian electronic invoice, model 55), NFC-e (Brazilian electronic consumer invoice, model 65), CT-e (Electronic Bill of Lading) and MDF-e (Electronic Fiscal Document Manifest) requires the company to have a valid e-CNPJ (Brazilian company digital certificate) to digitally sign the XML files sent to SEFAZ (State Revenue Department). Without a digital certificate, the company cannot issue electronic tax documents.

Can the e-CNPJ (Brazilian company digital certificate) be used to reinstate an inactive or irregular company with Receita Federal (Brazilian Federal Revenue Service)?

Yes. With the e-CNPJ (Brazilian company digital certificate), the legal representative can access the company's e-CAC (Receita Federal's online service portal), check the registration status of the CNPJ (Brazilian company taxpayer ID), settle outstanding debts and electronically sign the reactivation request, all without having to visit Receita Federal (Brazilian Federal Revenue Service) in person. The process can be completed 100% online.

Can I use the e-CNPJ (Brazilian company digital certificate) to take part in public tenders?

Yes. The e-CNPJ (Brazilian company digital certificate) is required to qualify for and take part in electronic reverse auctions and public tenders on the ComprasNet (federal government), BEC (São Paulo) and PNCP (National Public Procurement Portal) platforms, as well as state and municipal portals, both for submitting bids and for electronically signing contracts.

Does the e-CNPJ (Brazilian company digital certificate) work for imports and exports?

Yes. The e-CNPJ (Brazilian company digital certificate) is required to register with SISCOMEX (Brazilian Integrated Foreign Trade System) and with the Radar system (foreign trade operator authorization) of Receita Federal (Brazilian Federal Revenue Service), both used for foreign trade operations. Without the digital certificate, the company cannot be authorized to import or export goods.

What is the difference between the e-CNPJ (Brazilian company digital certificate) A1 and A3?

The e-CNPJ (Brazilian company digital certificate) A1 is stored as a file on the computer, convenient for everyday use in issuing NF-e (Brazilian electronic invoice) and accessing portals. The e-CNPJ A3 is stored on a physical device (token or smart card), offering greater security. Some banking systems, foreign trade portals and company registry offices require the A3.

Do I need an e-CNPJ (Brazilian company digital certificate) to submit EFD-Reinf (Digital Tax Bookkeeping of Withholdings) and eSocial (Brazilian digital payroll and labor reporting system) for Companies?

Yes. Submitting the EFD-Reinf (Digital Tax Bookkeeping of Withholdings and Other Tax Information), eSocial (Brazilian digital payroll and labor reporting system) for Companies and DCTFWeb (Brazilian federal tax debts and credits return) requires a digital signature with an e-CNPJ (Brazilian company digital certificate) to authenticate and transmit events to Receita Federal (Brazilian Federal Revenue Service).

Can an accountant use the company's e-CNPJ (Brazilian company digital certificate) to sign documents?

The accountant must use their own e-CPF (Brazilian individual digital certificate) with an electronic power of attorney issued by the company's legal representative on e-CAC (Receita Federal's online service portal). The e-CNPJ (Brazilian company digital certificate) belongs to the company's legal representative, for the accountant to sign on behalf of the CNPJ (Brazilian company taxpayer ID), a properly established electronic power of attorney is required on the Receita Federal (Brazilian Federal Revenue Service) portal.

What is the difference between online and in-person issuance?

With online issuance, the legal representative is validated via video call with biometric analysis, without leaving home. With in-person issuance, the representative visits an accredited service location. In both cases, you must present the up-to-date articles of association, the CNPJ (Brazilian company taxpayer ID) and the representative's ID document.

After purchase, how do I get my certificate issued?

Once payment is confirmed, you will receive instructions by email. For online issuance, schedule the video call and have on hand: up-to-date articles of association or bylaws, the CNPJ (Brazilian company taxpayer ID) registration card and the legal representative's original ID document. For in-person issuance, go to the service location with the same documents.