A CPF (Cadastro de Pessoas Fisicas) is like the ultimate social security number/identification number. It's used to get-slash-do almost anything and everything-- buy tickets online for concerts, a fan at a store, register with the bank, buy a house.... the list goes on. In some states and cities, like Salvador, a different number is used that encompasses other mandatory identification numbers that are given out by the Federal government, but in Rio-- a CPF is usually the quickest and easiest way to get something when documentation is necessary.
My route to getting a CPF was a little too easy. I just went to the bank with my passport (Banco do Brasil in Copa), and the lovely man at the counter asked me a few questions about my address, date of birth, phone number, and why I was in Brazil (the last one was for his curiosity, I think). After that, I took a number, waited in line, and then paid my 5-something reais bill to obtain a receipt of payment/protocolo to take with me to the nearest Federal Police, in Ipanema.
A few days later, and after one failed attempt of trying to get my CPF a little too quickly (they need at least 24 hours to process your application), I picked up my number this morning.
No paperwork, nada.
But for those of you who may want to bring back up information, I made sure to have copies of my passport, my parent's passports, birth certificate, and information on my stay as well as my address. None were required.
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