e-CNPJ A3 — 2 years | In-Person Issuance

e-CNPJ (Brazilian corporate digital certificate) A3 with in-person validation of the legal representative. Token not included: the company must have a compatible cryptographic device. Valid for 2 years. Ideal for companies that need enhanced security and operate in regulated sectors that require A3, such as finance, foreign trade, and public contracts.

Accepted documents (in-person issuance): a valid official photo ID of the legal representative with public faith (RG (Brazilian national ID card), CPF (Brazilian individual taxpayer ID), professional council ID card, work booklet, or passport) + a company document issued by Rede SIM (Brazilian integrated business registration network). Service location: Rua da Glória, 108, Liberdade, São Paulo/SP.

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 cargo manifest)
• Issuing NFS-e (Brazilian electronic service invoice)
• Access to e-CAC (Receita Federal's online taxpayer service portal) for legal entities
• Filing IRPJ, CSLL, PIS/COFINS, and CIDE (Brazilian federal corporate taxes) returns
• Submitting EFD-Reinf (Brazilian Digital Tax Bookkeeping of Withholdings)
• Submitting eSocial (Brazilian digital payroll and labor reporting system) for companies (payroll, hires, terminations)
• Submitting ECF (Brazilian Tax Accounting Bookkeeping)
• Submitting ECD (Brazilian Digital Accounting Bookkeeping, SPED Contábil)
• Transmitting DCTFWeb (Brazilian federal tax debts and credits return)
• Reinstating an inactive or unfit company, signing the request in e-CAC (Receita Federal's online taxpayer service portal) without an in-person visit
• Access to the state SEFAZ (Brazilian state tax authority) 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 small business tax regime)
• 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 foreign trade system) for foreign trade operations
• Registration with Radar of Receita Federal (Brazil's federal revenue service) 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 corporate taxpayer ID)
• Access to the Social Security Services Portal (corporate INSS, Brazilian social security)
• Issuing regularity certificates (CND, CRF, CPEN)
• Signing business loan and financing contracts online
• Registration on supplier accreditation portals (supply chain)
• Electronic signing of corporate legal documents (contracts, minutes, bylaws)

Frequently asked questions

What is the e-CNPJ and what is it used for?

The 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 legally valid documents, access government portals on behalf of the CNPJ (Brazilian corporate taxpayer ID), and meet all electronic tax, accounting, and labor obligations required by Brazilian law.

Do I need an e-CNPJ to issue NF-e?

Yes. Issuing NF-e (Brazilian electronic invoice, model 55), NFC-e (Brazilian electronic consumer invoice, model 65), CT-e (Brazilian electronic bill of lading), and MDF-e (Brazilian electronic cargo manifest) requires the company to have a valid e-CNPJ to digitally sign the XML files transmitted to SEFAZ (Brazilian state tax authority). Without a digital certificate, the company cannot issue electronic tax documents.

Can the e-CNPJ be used to reinstate an inactive or unfit company with Receita Federal?

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

Can I use the e-CNPJ to take part in public tenders?

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

Does the e-CNPJ work for imports and exports?

Yes. The e-CNPJ is required to register with SISCOMEX (Brazilian foreign trade system) and the Radar system of Receita Federal (Brazil's federal revenue service), which are used for foreign trade operations. Without a digital certificate, the company cannot be authorized to import or export goods.

What is the difference between e-CNPJ A1 and A3?

The e-CNPJ A1 is stored as a file on the computer, making it 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 business registry offices require A3.

Do I need an e-CNPJ to submit EFD-Reinf and eSocial for companies?

Yes. Submitting EFD-Reinf (Brazilian 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 to authenticate and transmit the events to Receita Federal (Brazil's federal revenue service).

Can an accountant use the company's e-CNPJ to sign documents?

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

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 updated articles of incorporation, the CNPJ (Brazilian corporate taxpayer ID), and the representative's ID document.

After purchase, how do I get my certificate issued?

Once your payment is confirmed, you will receive instructions by email. For online issuance, schedule the video call and have ready: updated articles of incorporation or bylaws, the CNPJ (Brazilian corporate 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.