e-CPF A1 — 1 year | In-Person Issuance

The e-CPF A1 (Brazilian ICP-Brasil digital certificate for individuals) with in-person issuance is for those who prefer or need to verify their identity in person. It is stored as a file on your computer and is valid for 1 year. It offers the same features as the online option: e-CAC (Brazilian Federal Revenue online taxpayer portal), tax returns, digital signatures, and representation before government agencies and notary offices.

Accepted documents (in-person issuance): any valid official photo ID with public legal standing: RG (Brazilian national ID card), CPF (Brazilian individual taxpayer ID), professional council ID (OAB, CRM, CRC, etc., Brazilian bar, medical and accounting councils), work card (carteira de trabalho, Brazilian employment record booklet) or passport. Service location: Rua da Glória, 108, Liberdade, São Paulo/SP.

What it is for

• Access to e-CAC (Virtual Service Center of the Receita Federal, the Brazilian Federal Revenue Service)
• Filing the Individual Income Tax Return (IRPF)
• Checking and issuing tax clearance certificates
• Access to the Gov.br portal (Brazilian federal government services portal) with Gold trust level
• Digital signing of contracts and documents with ICP-Brasil (Brazilian public key infrastructure) legal validity
• Issuing electronic powers of attorney (Receita Federal e-Procuração)
• Access to Meu INSS (online portal of the INSS, the Brazilian Social Security Institute) for benefit inquiries, CNIS (social security contribution record) statements and appointments
• Online retirement and social security benefit applications
• Access to eSocial (Brazilian digital payroll and labor reporting system) as a household employer
• Filing under Simples Nacional (Brazilian simplified tax regime for small businesses)
• Filing the DCTF (Federal Tax Debts and Credits Statement)
• Access to FGTS Digital (FGTS: Brazilian employee severance fund) for transactions and balance inquiries
• Checking and settling debts with the Receita Federal
• Representing third parties before the Receita Federal via electronic power of attorney
• Guardianship (curatela): signing documents and representing persons under guardianship before government agencies and notary offices
• Reinstating an inactive or irregular company: signing the request on e-CAC without appearing in person
• Digital signature notarization at notary offices (replaces in-person signature notarization)
• Signing deeds, powers of attorney and contracts at digital notary offices
• Electronic filing in courts (PJe, e-SAJ, PROJUDI and state portals, Brazilian electronic court systems)
• Access to the Conectividade Social system of Caixa Econômica Federal (Brazilian federal savings bank) for FGTS
• Electronic public bids and reverse auctions (ComprasNet, BEC, PNCP, Brazilian public procurement portals)
• Participation in online auctions of real estate and other assets
• Access to the digital DETRAN portal (Brazilian state motor vehicle department) for transfers, registration renewal and traffic fines
• Access to the state SEFAZ (Brazilian state finance department) system for inquiries and filings
• Signing real estate and vehicle financing contracts online
• Declaring assets and income in digital probate proceedings
• Requests to the Banco Central do Brasil (Central Bank of Brazil)
• Access to the Junta Comercial (Brazilian state commercial registry) system for corporate filings as a partner

Frequently asked questions

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

The e-CPF is the Digital Certificate for Individuals issued under the ICP-Brasil (Brazilian public key infrastructure) standard. It works as a digital identity with full legal validity, allowing you to sign documents, access government systems, represent third parties and carry out dozens of electronic transactions with proven security and authenticity.

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

The A1 is stored as a file on your computer. It is convenient for everyday use but requires a backup so it isn't lost. The A3 is stored on a physical device (USB token or smart card), which provides greater security because the private key never leaves the device. Some banking systems, notary offices and courts require the A3.

Can the e-CPF be used to access the Receita Federal (Brazilian Federal Revenue Service) e-CAC portal?

Yes. The e-CPF is the main means of authentication on e-CAC (Virtual Taxpayer Service Center). With it, you can access tax returns, IRPF (Brazilian individual income tax) processing statements, tax clearance certificates, debt inquiries, installment plans, issue electronic powers of attorney and use all services available to individual taxpayers.

Can the e-CPF be used in guardianship (curatela) situations?

Yes. A legally appointed guardian (curador) can use their own e-CPF to sign documents, petitions and forms on behalf of the person under guardianship before government agencies (Receita Federal (Brazilian Federal Revenue Service), INSS (Brazilian Social Security Institute), banks), notary offices and financial institutions, provided they present the guardianship order registered with a notary office.

How is the e-CPF used to reinstate an inactive or irregular company?

The partner or legal representative of a company whose CNPJ (Brazilian company taxpayer ID) is inactive or irregular (inapto) can use their e-CPF to access the Receita Federal (Brazilian Federal Revenue Service) e-CAC portal, issue an electronic power of attorney for the CNPJ and electronically sign the request for reactivation, debt settlement or closure of the CNPJ, without having to visit a physical Receita Federal office.

Is the e-CPF legally valid at notary offices?

Yes. ICP-Brasil (Brazilian public key infrastructure) certificates have full legal validity under Provisional Measure 2.200-2/2001. Digital notary offices accept the e-CPF for digital signature notarization and for signing deeds, powers of attorney and contracts, with the same legal value as an in-person act.

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

With online issuance, identity verification (facial biometrics and document check) is done by video call, without leaving home, and the process is completed in minutes. With in-person issuance, the holder visits an accredited service location for verification. In-person issuance may be required when online biometric verification is not possible.

Can I use the e-CPF in electronic court proceedings?

Yes. The e-CPF is accepted by the main electronic case systems of the Brazilian judiciary: PJe (Electronic Judicial Process), e-SAJ, PROJUDI and state court portals, allowing electronic filing, case lookup and signing of court documents.

Does the e-CPF work with eSocial and FGTS Digital?

Yes. Household employers and individuals use the e-CPF to access eSocial (Brazilian digital payroll and labor reporting system), submit events, report payroll and manage labor obligations. It is also used on FGTS Digital (FGTS: Brazilian employee severance fund) for transactions and balance inquiries.

After purchasing, how do I get my certificate issued?

Once payment is confirmed, you will receive instructions by email. For online issuance, simply schedule the verification video call and the certificate is issued in minutes. For in-person issuance, go to the indicated service location with an original photo ID.