Don't Lose Your Brazilian Documents / Credentials!

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roddiesho Serial expat

Member since 10 November 2022

roddieshoSerial expat15 April 2023 19:45:09

836

This is more for Expat.com newbies rather than veterans, but it can happen to anyone. My wife after a night of partying with her friends in the big city and changing her outfit reached into her pocket and declared "Oh here's your Banco Do Brazil card and CPF registration" (We had gone to Banco Do Brazil that afternoon). I almost jumped out of the 12th floor hotel window. This was the first time I did not have complete control over my credentials. I have not had to do it but I know it is almost impossible to replace your Passport, Brazilian ID cards, Marriage certificate etc.

Unlike in America, you cannot go to the check-out line cashier and ask for a duplicate CVS card. Replacing vital credentials in Brazil takes lots of time etc.

Whenever you're at the Federal Police or other office the agent always asks for your Passport etc. They have to literally check a box that they have examined it but are not under any pressure to return it expediently. You usually are trying to get it back in your possession while it sits on the desk or put in a corner. Sometimes they finish up fast and send you on your way with little time to check if you still have all the important documents, you handed them.

Leave No Credential Behind!

Roddie in Retirement

EricPau Active member

Member since 25 April 2022

EricPauActive member15 April 2023 21:46:06

One thing you can do is make duplicates for some documents. Since the CPF is online, you can always go to a papelaria to get one printed and laminated. I wish I had asked for the US passport card (valid for travel to/ from Mexico and Canada). But I 'made' my own by color printing and laminating the passport page that has your photo. I also printed the next page so that I laminated it on the backside. I tried it out several times in Brazilian offices where ID was required (keeping my passport in my pocket just in case), and they accepted it. I always get an International Driver's license through AAA and use that instead of my stateside license. In Panama they used to make you surrender your driver's license until you paid the multa. The multa acted as you license in the meantime. Oh, and of course the Panamanian authorities lost my license...

Mikeflanagan Serial expat

Member since 12 September 2017

MikeflanaganSerial expat15 April 2023 22:28:18

446

If you make a copy to avoid any issues bring original and copy to a cartario to ensure that a government body has seen and verified it's an official "copy". Saves looooots of questions if you run into this with the pf and having to get replacements. Passports are easy to replace. Even renewing my Canadian one only took less than 48 hours to apply and have it on hand but your working with your country of origin at that point ( clearly times will vary)

roddiesho Serial expat

Member since 10 November 2022

roddieshoSerial expat15 April 2023 22:50:19

836

@Mikeflanagan I do like the idea, but I am afraid that the duplicates etc. are sent to my last known address etc. My house in MD. was sold, and my father's house in R.I. was sold before i moved to Brazil. Usually they don't' let you change your address, let alone to another country. Even if I could I am having a world of trouble having items sent to my Brazilian address.

Roddie in Retirement

Mikeflanagan Serial expat

Member since 12 September 2017

MikeflanaganSerial expat15 April 2023 23:13:14

446

its an easy fix through the following

https://www.gov.br/pf/pt-br/assuntos/im … e-endereco

follow steps and gets updated!

Request Change of Address

Published on 16.03.2021 10h02 Updated 21/07/2022 17h01

*edit to show date of publish from gov.br

roddiesho Serial expat

Member since 10 November 2022

roddieshoSerial expat16 April 2023 00:00:02

836

@Mikeflanagan Ok!

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