In September 2022, the Brazilian government issued a new national identity card (Carteira de Identidada Nacional) that will gradually replace the previous national identity cards (Registro Geral). According to the renewal process, the new National ID Cards will be issued in different states in orders: Acre, Goiás, Distrito Federal, Pernambuco, Minas Gerais, Santa Catarina, Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul in 2022, Alagoas, Amapá, Amazonas, Bahia, Rio de Janeiro and Rio Grande de Norte and other states in 2023. If you haven’t renewed the Brazilian National Identity card yet, you can do it now. In this blog, we will show you how to renew the new National ID card.
What Is CIN in Brazil?
In Brazil, the CIN (“Carteira de Identidade Nacional”), also known as the National ID Card, is a new national identity document. It will gradually replace the current identity document “Carteira de Identidade” (“RG”). According to the Brazilian government, the new national ID card with a QR code that can be read easily and quickly will be more secure and protected against fraudulent technology. In addition, it can allow owners to easily identify special needs and know if it has been stolen or lost. Sometimes you can use it as a travel document. When you have a physical CIN, you can also obtain a digital CIN on the government’s online portal (gov.br). Since your current national identity card can remain valid until 2032, it is better for you to renew your CIN as soon as possible. Replacement of new national ID cards will be free of charge. Here you can see the contents of the CIN:
Front side:
- The full name of the issuing federative agency
- A 3*4 cm passport-size photo
- The card holder’s full name, CPF number, sex (M/F/X), birth date, birthplace and nationality
- Issue date, expiration date.
- The signature or an observation waiving it.
Back side:
- QR code
- MRZ code
- Filiation
- Issue place and date
- The signature of card issuer
- Icon for people with disability or special needs
What Are the RG and CPF Numbers in Brazil?
RG (Registro Geral) is a registration number that all Brazilian citizens have. When the Brazilian government issues an official identity card, you will receive it on your card. Sometimes it is possible to have more than one RG, if you have a different ID card from different states.
CPF number is an 11-digit number with format 111.111.111-11. It can be attributed by the Brazilian Federal Revenue to Brazilians who need to pay taxes in Brazil. When applying for an identity card starting January 11, 2023, you must have a CPF number. Otherwise, you will be registered as a CPF by the issuing authority.
When Do I Need to Renew My CIN?
According to the Brazilian government, the current identity card will still be valid for 10 years from March 1, 2022. This means that you will be able to use existing RG paper IDs normally within 2032. When available, you can renew the CIN before February 23, 2032.
How Long Is the CIN Renewal and How Much Is the Renewal Fee?
All you need to do is take your birth or marriage certificate to enter any of the Identification Institute agencies. It’s fast for you to get a new CIN. The time it takes to renew a national ID card varies from state to state. What’s more, it’s completely free when it is your first time renewing your new national identity card. This means that Brazilian citizens can request the document, including children when they have a CPF. However, if you lost the first CIN, you may pay for the second renewal fee according to the federative units.
Documents for CIN Renewal
If you wish to renew the Brazilian national ID card, you must prepare the necessary documents in advance. Here is the list of documents you need to take with you.
- Birth or marriage certificate.
- A document with the CPF regular number.
Since it is easy to get your documents ready to renew your CIN, you can renew your national identity card whenever you want.
How to Renew Brazilian National ID Cards?
After you have prepared all the necessary documents, you must renew the Brazilian National ID card as soon as possible. You must go to one of the Identification Institutes of the states and the Federal District with the required documents. And you must inform the officers of the purpose of renewing the national ID card. The officers will then assist you in renewing a physical Brazilian national ID card based on your submitted documents. After you have obtained a physical CIN from the civil identification agency, it is allowed to obtain a digital version through the government’s online portal (gov.br) or the Gov. br app. Here you can follow the steps to get the digital version of the CIN.
- Download and launch the Gov.br app on your phone.
- Register with your CPF number and password.
- You need to click “Cartia de documentos”/”document wallet”.
- Simply click the “+” in the right corner to add the card you want.
- Select “Carteria de Identidade” and click “ADICIONAR DOCUMENTO”.
- Then you will see a “Carteria de Identidade” in the list, which means that you have successfully added your national ID card to your mobile phone.
Keep in mind that the CIN renewal service provided by each state is different. For example, the issue is only for minors in Rio de Janeiro. But the renewal of CIN will begin with children of police officers in São Paulo.
What Are the Replacement Identity Documents?
In Brazil, there are other documents that are acceptable to show your identity. When you do not have an identity card, you can hold one of the following alternative identity documents:
- Brazil passport
- Driver’s license
- Professional identity card issued by a trade union
- Military identity card
- Civil servant identity card
- Work registry
FAQ
When will the old identity card expire?
According to the Notícias Concursos, Brazilian states have begun issuing the digital version of the new national identity card gradually from 2022 in Alagoas, Distrito Federal, Goiás, and São Paulo. The new national ID card will replace the Registrar General’s ID document (RG). But you don’t need to worry too much, because the Brazilian government won’t stop their citizens from using RG immediately. This means that citizens with the old version of identity cards can still use them for the next 10 years. All Brazilian citizens must obtain the CIN by February 2032. If not, you cannot use your RG to prove your identity beyond 2032.
Can I renew Brazilian national identity cards online?
No, if you wish to renew your Brazilian national identity card, you must walk through the Identification Institutes of the States and the Federal District with the required documents and inform the officer that you wish to renew the CIN. They will then process the renewal of the new identity card. After obtaining the physical CIN, you can obtain a digital version through the government’s online portal (gov.br). In addition, it is not possible to have another issue in another state after renewing your national identity card.
Why do I need a new national identity card?
The new national identity card has been upgraded with a QR Code and “automated reading area”, which allows easy and reliable verification by public security officials and private counters. It uses a new global technology, the Blockchain, which plays a key role in protecting personal data and preventing fraud, providing a more secure digital experience for Brazilian citizens. And you can use the digital version of the ID on your mobile phone app, so it provides secure and easy access to services in everyday life. And it can track all transactions and activities on the network, promoting more transparency and increasing the trust of users.
How long is the national identification card valid?
According to the new Brazilian ID card rules, the National ID card has a different validity period that varies between different ages.
- The CIN will be valid for five years if the holders are aged 0 to 12.
- The CIN will be valid for 10 years if the person is between 12 and 60 years of age.
- The validity for those over 60 years of age is not determined.
What can you do with an identity card?
When you have an identity card, you can easily access many social services, such as obtaining a driver’s license, applying for a job, opening a bank account and entering certain buildings. And the police may ask you to show an identity card to check your legal status.
Conclusion
All Brazilian citizens must renew their national identity card as soon as possible because it has a QR Code and uses blockchain technology to synchronize data with the Federal Revenue Service, which can protect the information of the holders. With easy and reliable verification, the new ID card can be used by public security forces and private services. So the sooner you renew your ID card, the more convenience you can enjoy.
Dolores Xiao