CPF vs. SSN: Comparing Brazil’s and the USA’s individual tax ID systems
If you’re living, working, or doing business across Brazil and the United States, you’ll quickly encounter two fundamental identifiers: Brazil’s CPF (Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas) and the United States’ SSN (Social Security Number). Both are essential national identification numbers, but they serve slightly different purposes depending on the country.
In this article, we’ll explore the key similarities and differences between CPF and SSN, helping you understand when, why, and how they’re used—especially if you’re navigating systems across both countries.
What Is a CPF?
CPF stands for Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas, which translates to Natural Persons Register. It is issued by Brazil’s Receita Federal (Federal Revenue Service) and serves primarily as:
- A taxpayer identification number
- A personal identifier for legal and financial transactions
The image above shows an example of the CPF (Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas) card issued by the Receita Federal (Brazilian Federal Revenue Service). It is a personal identification number used for tax purposes in Brazil, similar to the Social Security Number (SSN) in the United States.
Front of the Card (Left Side):
- Title: CPF – Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas
- Institution: Ministério da Fazenda, Secretaria da Receita Federal
- Número de Inscrição: A placeholder number in the format
000.000.000-00 - Nome: Placeholder “NOME DA PESSOA” (Name of the person)
- Nascimento: Example date of birth “01/01/1990”
- Background: Features the Brazilian national coat of arms
Back of the Card (Right Side):
- Black Magnetic Stripe: Used for digital verification (though no longer in practical use today)
- Instruction Text: “Cartão de uso pessoal e intransferível. Deve ser apresentado junto com um documento de identidade.”
(Translation: “Card for personal and non-transferable use. Must be presented with an identity document.”) - Emissão (Issue Date): Example date “08/2000”
- White rectangle: Space for internal control or additional info
Who needs a CPF?
- All Brazilian citizens from birth
- Foreigners living in Brazil or conducting business
- Anyone needing to open a bank account, buy property, register for government services, or even shop online in Brazil
- Foreigner who needs a CPF, check our article.
What is an SSN?
SSN stands for Social Security Number, issued by the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA). While it was originally designed to track earnings for social security benefits, it has become a de facto national ID number in the United States.
Front of the Card (Left Side):
- Title: SOCIAL SECURITY (in bold, across the top)
- Social Security Number (SSN): Example format
623-00-3209 - Name: Example placeholder “AGNIESHKA JANE”
- Signature Line: Placeholder for the cardholder’s signature
- Background Design: Includes decorative columns and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services seal
- Note: The watermark “SAMPLE” is present across the card, indicating it’s a sample image
Back of the Card (Right Side):
Contains important usage instructions and legal disclaimers:
- Do not laminate this card.
- Must be signed by the cardholder (unless a health or age-related issue prevents it)
- Warns against improper use, which can lead to fines, imprisonment, or both
- Declares the card as property of the U.S. government and should be returned if found
- Provides a return address for lost cards
- Contact your local SSA office for any issues
- Agency Listed: Department of Health and Human Services, Social Security Administration
- Form Reference: OA-702 (1-88)
- Serial Code (for internal control): B9683662X094
Who needs an SSN?
- U.S. citizens and permanent residents
- Foreigners authorized to work in the U.S.
- Anyone filing taxes or opening financial accounts in the U.S.
Side-by-Side comparison: CPF vs. SSN
| Feature | CPF (Brazil) | SSN (United States) |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas | Social Security Number |
| Issuing Authority | Receita Federal (Federal Revenue) | Social Security Administration (SSA) |
| Format | 000.000.000-00 | 000-00-0000 |
| Number of Digits | 11 digits | 9 digits |
| Purpose | Tax ID, general civil/legal transactions | Social security, tax ID, identification |
| Issued At | Birth or upon request | Birth or immigration/employment approval |
| Use in Daily Life | Very frequent: banks, stores, services | Frequent: banks, employment, credit |
| Available to Foreigners | Yes – even non-residents | Yes – if legally working or with tax needs |
| Verification Mechanism | Has algorithm-based check digits | No built-in validation logic |
| Privacy/Security Risk | Moderate | High (used for identity theft in the U.S.) |
Key differences
1. Scope of Use
- CPF is used for a wider range of everyday activities in Brazil, such as signing up for loyalty cards, shopping online, or accessing health services.
- SSN is mainly used for employment, taxes, and financial identification, but not as frequently in casual day-to-day purchases.
2. Eligibility for Foreigners
- CPF can be obtained easily by any foreigner, even non-residents, for use in legal or financial operations.
- SSN is typically only available to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or temporary residents with legal work authorization.
3. Security Concerns
- In the U.S., the SSN is tied to a person’s entire credit and employment history, making it a prime target for identity theft.
- CPF is used more openly in Brazil and has check digits to prevent fake numbers, but still requires careful handling.
CPF or SSN: Which one do you Need?
| Situation | Use CPF? | Use SSN? |
|---|---|---|
| Living or working in Brazil | ✅ | ❌ |
| Buying property or shopping online in Brazil | ✅ | ❌ |
| Working in the United States | ❌ | ✅ |
| Filing U.S. taxes | ❌ | ✅ |
| Doing business in both countries | ✅ | ✅ |
| Digital nomad needing local services in Brazil | ✅ | ❌ |