By Mateo Bueno Sá
Brazilians who still carry the old RG can now take the first step toward replacing it from their phones. The new National Identity Card (Carteira de Identidade Nacional, or CIN) can be requested online, but there is a catch that surprises many people: issuance still requires showing up in person.
How to request the new Brazil national ID card
Appointments are booked online, through the service offered by the agency responsible for identity documents in the citizen's home state. The applicant chooses a service unit, picks an available date and time, and fills in the requested information.
On the scheduled day, the applicant must bring the required documents and have biometric data collected. Rules may vary from state to state, and in some places service is also available without an appointment.
Free first copy and home delivery
The first physical copy of the CIN is free across the country. That is the point likely to catch the eye of those who have already paid for a duplicate of the old RG.
In São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais, citizens can also receive the card by mail, through Brazil's postal service (Correios), at the address given during the appointment.
One number for everything
The biggest change is the number. The new card uses the CPF, the national taxpayer registry number, as its single identification number. Until now, each state could issue an RG with its own numbering, creating a patchwork of records. Under the new system, a citizen has one number nationwide.
The card also carries a QR code to verify its authenticity and allows additional information, such as the PIS number, to be included.
Digital version on Gov.br
After the physical card is issued, the ID can be accessed through the Gov.br app, the federal government's digital services platform, using the citizen's account. The digital version lets users check their data on their phones and makes it easier to reach public services available online.
Why it matters: the old RG still works, for now
The RG (Registro Geral) is the identity card Brazilians have long used, issued by each state. Replacing it with the new card is due to be completed by 2032. Until then, old documents remain valid across the country, so there is no need to swap immediately.
The change is part of a process of unifying identification documents. Its stated goal is to increase security and reduce fraud involving the identification of Brazilians.
In practice, the message from the government is clear: lines for the exchange should grow as the deadline approaches. Those who want to avoid a last-minute rush can start by booking an appointment now.
VDD Analysis
Unifying records under the CPF makes sense as a way to fight fraud, but readers should keep an eye on what the state charges. A free first copy is a good sign, and QR code verification also helps. Even so, those who depend on an ID to access benefits should demand that the process be simple, fast and free of hidden costs.
