Brazilian nationals who act as directors or people with significant control, known as PSCs, of UK companies must complete Companies House identity verification by the deadline that applies to each role.

After you verify your identity, Companies House gives you an 11-character personal code. The code belongs to you rather than to one company. You can use the same personal code for every UK company where you act as a director or PSC. However, you must connect it separately to each appointment and role.

Quick Answer for Brazilian Directors and PSCs

For most Brazilian nationals, a valid Brazilian biometric passport provides the clearest Group A identity document.

Brazil also issues:

• the new Carteira de Identidade Nacional, known as the CIN;
• older state-issued identity cards commonly known as RG cards;
• the Carteira Nacional de Habilitação, known as the CNH; and
• the national tax and personal identification number known as the CPF.

The CIN and RG are official Brazilian identity documents. However, PRADO’s current Brazil page does not list a Brazilian national identity-card category. The CIN and RG should therefore not be treated automatically as formal Group A documents under the current Companies House person-led PRADO route.

PRADO does list several Brazilian CNH driving-licence models. A physical Brazilian CNH may therefore provide Group A evidence under person-led Option 2 where the exact document matches a PRADO-listed model and passes the required checks.

A Brazilian CNH does not qualify automatically under Option 1 because the technology-led driving-licence category is limited to specified UK and EU licences.

For a person-led remote check through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider, known as an ACSP, you normally need either:

• two Group A photographic identity documents; or
• one Group A photographic identity document and one Group B supporting document.

For many Brazilian directors and PSCs, the most practical combinations are:

• Brazilian passport and PRADO-listed physical Brazilian CNH;
• Brazilian passport and bank statement;
• Brazilian passport and utility bill;
• Brazilian passport and mortgage statement;
• Brazilian passport and insurance policy;
• Brazilian passport and birth certificate;
• Brazilian passport and marriage certificate;
• Brazilian passport and UK photocard driving licence;
• Brazilian passport and an eligible UK immigration document;
• Brazilian passport and another current passport held through dual nationality; or
• one Brazilian biometric or machine-readable passport under a suitable technology-led Option 1 process.

Direct answer: The strongest person-led route will usually use a Brazilian passport together with either a PRADO-listed physical CNH or an accepted Group B supporting document. The CIN, RG and CPF can support the review but should not replace the formal document combination under the current published route.

Important Point About the Brazilian CIN

Brazil is replacing its older state-based identity-card system with the Carteira de Identidade Nacional, or CIN.

The CIN:

• is an official Brazilian civil identity document;
• is valid throughout Brazil;
• uses the CPF as the holder’s single national registration number;
• can be issued on security paper or a polycarbonate card;
• also has a digital format;
• includes a facial image;
• includes the holder’s signature and fingerprint;
• contains a QR code;
• contains a machine-readable zone;
• records nationality, date and place of birth; and
• is issued following biometric and civil-registration checks.

The CIN is more standardised than the previous RG system. However, Companies House applies its own document categories.

The current PRADO page for Brazil lists:

• four ordinary passport models;
• several Brazilian driving-licence models; and
• travel documents issued to non-nationals.

It does not currently list the CIN or another Brazilian national identity-card category.

The practical conclusion is:

Do not rely on the Brazilian CIN as one of the two required formal documents under the current person-led Companies House route.

An ACSP may nevertheless review the CIN as valuable supplementary evidence.

It may help confirm:

• facial image;
• full registered name;
• CPF number;
• date of birth;
• place of birth;
• Brazilian nationality;
• parents’ names;
• civil-registration details;
• social name;
• signature;
• current document status; and
• consistency with the passport, birth certificate or marriage certificate.

Why Does the CIN Not Qualify Under Option 1?

Companies House limits the Option 1 biometric identity-card category to identity cards issued by:

• an EU country;
• Norway;
• Iceland; or
• Liechtenstein.

Brazil is not included.

The CIN does not qualify through that category merely because it:

• contains biometric information;
• is machine-readable;
• has a QR code;
• can be issued on polycarbonate;
• has a digital version;
• follows ICAO-related formatting;
• is electronically verifiable; or
• is an official national identity document.

A Brazilian national may still use Option 1 with:

• a Brazilian biometric or machine-readable passport;
• a UK photocard driving licence;
• an eligible UK immigration document; or
• an eVisa.

Why Does the CIN Not Automatically Qualify Under Option 2?

Group A under person-led Option 2 includes another photographic identity document listed on PRADO.

The CIN is not currently listed on PRADO.

It should therefore be treated as supplementary evidence unless Companies House or PRADO changes its published categories.

How Long Is the CIN Valid?

The CIN’s validity depends on the holder’s age when the document is issued:

• five years for a person under 12;
• ten years for a person aged 12 to 59; and
• indefinite validity for a person aged 60 or over.

A CIN can nevertheless become unsuitable before the end of that period where:

• its biographical information has changed;
• it is seriously damaged;
• the photograph no longer permits reliable identification;
• the holder’s signature has materially changed;
• it has been cancelled;
• it has been replaced; or
• it has been reported lost or stolen.

Can You Use the Digital CIN?

Do not rely on the digital CIN as the formal Group A or Group B document.

The digital version is legally recognised within Brazil and can be verified through official digital tools. However, it does not fall automatically within the current Companies House document categories.

An ACSP may review:

• the digital CIN;
• its QR code;
• GOV.BR wallet information;
• electronic validation results; or
• a digitally signed identity record

as supplementary evidence.

The applicant should still provide the accepted physical documents used for the formal Companies House document combination.

Can You Use a CIN Application Receipt?

No.

Do not rely only on:

• CIN application receipt;
• appointment confirmation;
• collection receipt;
• temporary protocol;
• GOV.BR application-status screen;
• QR-code screenshot; or
• CPF number.

These items may explain why the physical CIN is unavailable, but they do not replace a Group A or Group B document.

The Older Brazilian RG Card

Before the CIN, Brazil issued state-based identity cards commonly known as:

• RG;
• Registro Geral;
• carteira de identidade;
• cédula de identidade; or
• state identity card.

Different Brazilian states could issue different RG numbers and document designs to the same person.

The CIN is intended to replace that fragmented system by using the CPF as the single national number.

Older RG cards remain valid within Brazil until 2032, subject to their condition and the continuing ability to identify the holder.

However, domestic Brazilian validity does not automatically make the RG a Companies House Group A document.

PRADO does not currently list a Brazilian identity-card category.

The practical conclusion is:

Do not rely on an older RG card as one of the two required formal Companies House documents.

The RG may still provide useful supplementary evidence of:

• former photograph;
• former name;
• state-issued RG number;
• CPF;
• date of birth;
• place of birth;
• parents’ names;
• signature;
• earlier address; or
• information connecting an old civil record to a current passport.

Can You Use an Old RG Until 2032?

It may remain valid for domestic use in Brazil until 2032.

However, that does not make it automatically acceptable under the Companies House standard.

Use a Brazilian passport and another qualifying Group A or Group B document for the formal check.

Can You Use More Than One State RG?

No combination of two state RG cards should be treated automatically as two Group A documents.

The cards may use different RG numbers and designs, but they concern the same national identity and are not currently listed by PRADO.

Brazilian CPF Numbers

The Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas, known as the CPF, is Brazil’s national personal registration number.

The CPF:

• contains 11 digits;
• is unique to the individual;
• is generally permanent;
• is administered by the Brazilian Federal Revenue Service;
• is used in tax, banking, employment and public-service records;
• is now the single national number used on the CIN; and
• may appear on birth, marriage and other civil records.

A CPF number is a personal identifier rather than a photographic identity document.

Do not submit only:

• CPF number;
• CPF registration certificate;
• CPF status page;
• Receita Federal screenshot;
• tax-return record;
• GOV.BR profile;
• printed proof of CPF;
• CPF card;
• PIX record; or
• document containing only the number.

The CPF may help the ACSP compare records, but it does not replace the passport, PRADO-listed CNH or Group B document.

Is a CPF the Companies House Personal Code?

No.

The CPF belongs to Brazil’s tax and national identification systems.

The Companies House personal code is a separate 11-character code issued after successful Companies House identity verification.

Do not enter any of the following when Companies House asks for the personal code:

• CPF;
• RG number;
• CIN number;
• Brazilian passport number;
• CNH number;
• voter-registration number;
• social-security number;
• UK National Insurance number;
• company authentication code;
• Brazilian CNPJ; or
• immigration application reference.

Brazilian Biometric Passports

The Brazilian ordinary passport is called a passaporte.

PRADO currently lists four ordinary Brazilian passport models:

• BRA-AO-06001, first issued approximately in 2019;
• BRA-AO-05001, first issued in 2016;
• BRA-AO-02001, first issued in 2010; and
• BRA-AO-01001, first issued in 2000.

The first two models are the ones most likely to remain current for adult applicants in 2026.

Current Brazilian Passport Model

The most recent PRADO-listed ordinary passport model is BRA-AO-06001.

PRADO records that it:

• is an ordinary passport;
• is issued to Brazilian nationals;
• remains a valid document model;
• was first issued approximately in 2019;
• has a blue cover;
• contains 32 pages; and
• has maximum validity of ten years.

A current Brazilian passport under this model normally provides the strongest Group A route.

Brazilian Passports Are Electronic Passports

Brazilian passports have been issued as electronic passports containing a chip since December 2010.

The passport chip contains:

• facial image;
• fingerprint information;
• personal information from the biodata page; and
• information corresponding with the machine-readable zone.

The chip is located in the back cover and can be damaged by bending, perforation, heat, moisture, chemicals or strong electromagnetic exposure.

A current Brazilian electronic passport may work through the GOV.UK One Login app where:

• the chip functions;
• the applicant has a compatible phone;
• the app supports the passport;
• the applicant photographs the biodata page correctly;
• the facial image remains suitable; and
• the applicant completes the liveness and likeness checks.

Brazilian Passport Validity

A Brazilian ordinary passport is generally valid for:

• one year for a child under one;
• two years for a child aged one to under two;
• three years for a child aged two to under three;
• four years for a child aged three to under four;
• five years for a person aged four to under 18; and
• ten years for a person aged 18 or over.

A Brazilian emergency passport normally has maximum validity of one year.

Always check the expiry date printed on the individual passport.

Previous Mercosur Passport Model

The previous BRA-AO-05001 model is marked as a Mercosur passport.

PRADO records that it:

• was first issued in 2016;
• remains a valid document model;
• is issued to Brazilian nationals;
• has a blue cover;
• contains 32 pages; and
• has maximum validity of ten years.

A current individual passport under this model may provide Group A evidence.

The 2010 Passport Model

The BRA-AO-02001 passport model was first issued in October 2010 and remains listed by PRADO as a valid document model.

However, the individual passport must still be reviewed.

Because adult passports issued during part of this period had shorter maximum validity than modern ten-year passports, many individual passports under this design will have expired.

A recently expired passport may only be used where it falls within the relevant Companies House expiry exception and has not been replaced or cancelled.

Brazilian Passports Issued in London or Abroad

Brazilian citizens living abroad may apply for a passport through a Brazilian consular post.

Applicants must generally attend the competent consular authority, and the passport remains a Brazilian passport issued through the Brazilian government’s passport system.

An adult passport issued abroad normally has ten-year validity where the applicant provides all required documents.

A passport issued through the Brazilian Consulate in London is not automatically a lower-status passport.

The ACSP should check:

• exact passport model;
• passport number;
• issue and expiry dates;
• issuing authority;
• biometric symbol;
• chip functionality;
• biodata page;
• machine-readable zone;
• photograph;
• document condition;
• observation pages; and
• whether another passport replaced it.

Can You Use an Expired Brazilian Passport?

Potentially, depending on the route.

The GOV.UK One Login app does not accept an expired passport.

Under ACSP Option 1, suitable technology may accept a biometric or machine-readable passport that expired within the previous six months, provided the required security features remain capable of validation.

Under person-led Option 2, a passport may be accepted where it expired within the previous 18 months.

The passport must not have been:

• cancelled;
• replaced;
• reported lost or stolen;
• physically invalidated;
• seriously damaged; or
• altered.

Can You Use a Cancelled Brazilian Passport?

No.

A passport is cancelled when a replacement application is processed, even if the previous passport’s printed expiry date has not passed.

Do not use a passport that:

• has cancellation marks;
• has been clipped;
• has a cut corner;
• has been perforated;
• has been marked invalid;
• was surrendered following replacement; or
• has otherwise been cancelled.

It may provide historical name or travel evidence but cannot provide current formal identity evidence.

Can You Use a Lost or Stolen Passport That Was Recovered?

No.

A passport reported lost or stolen should not be used, even where the holder later recovers it.

Use the replacement passport.

Can You Use a Passport With a Damaged Chip?

Potentially through person-led Option 2, but the case requires individual review.

The physical passport may remain visually genuine even where its electronic chip cannot be read.

However:

• GOV.UK One Login may fail;
• Option 1 technology may be unable to validate the cryptographic data;
• the damage may affect the passport’s legal validity;
• the ACSP may require confirmation from the issuing authority; or
• the applicant may need a replacement passport.

A damaged chip does not automatically mean that the applicant has no verification route. It does mean that a technology-led route may be unsuitable.

Brazilian Emergency Passports and Travel Documents

Brazil can issue an emergency passport in qualifying urgent circumstances.

A Brazilian emergency passport:

• normally has maximum validity of one year;
• may not be accepted by every destination;
• is issued for qualifying urgent travel rather than ordinary tourism; and
• requires individual review for Companies House purposes.

A current emergency passport may potentially provide Group A evidence because it is a passport.

However, the ACSP must check:

• exact document type;
• reason for issue;
• holder’s Brazilian nationality;
• photograph;
• issue and expiry dates;
• machine-readable and electronic features;
• travel limitations;
• whether an ordinary passport later replaced it;
• whether it has been cancelled; and
• whether its security features can be validated.

A current ordinary Brazilian passport will normally provide the clearer route.

Who Must Complete Companies House Identity Verification?

The requirement applies to Brazilian nationals who are:

• directors of UK limited companies;
• becoming directors of UK companies;
• directors of overseas companies registered in the UK;
• registered as PSCs;
• becoming PSCs of existing companies;
• forming UK companies in which they will act as directors or PSCs; or
• applying to register as Companies House authorised agents.

Identity verification became a legal requirement on 18 November 2025.

This date began a phased transition rather than imposing one identical deadline on every existing director and PSC.

Existing directors normally connect their personal codes through their companies’ confirmation statements.

New directors and proposed directors of newly formed companies must provide their personal codes during the relevant appointment or incorporation process.

PSCs have separate 14-day compliance periods. The relevant period depends on when the PSC was registered and whether that person is also a director of the same company.

How Can Brazilian Nationals Verify Their Identity?

Brazilian nationals can use one of two main routes.

1. Verify Through GOV.UK One Login

Companies House provides a free direct verification service through GOV.UK One Login.

Depending on the applicant’s documents and circumstances, the service may ask them to:

• use the GOV.UK One Login app;
• answer security questions online; or
• attend a participating UK Post Office.

Using a Brazilian Passport in the GOV.UK One Login App

A Brazilian national can normally try the app route using a current biometric passport.

The app accepts a non-UK passport containing a biometric chip.

The applicant must generally:

1. photograph the passport’s biodata page;
2. scan the biometric chip;
3. scan their face;
4. complete a liveness and likeness check; and
5. finish any remaining identity questions.

The original passport must be used.

The app does not accept:

• a photocopy;
• scanned PDF;
• screenshot;
• photograph displayed on another device;
• passport number without the passport;
• cancelled passport;
• replaced passport; or
• expired passport.

What If the Brazilian Passport Chip Cannot Be Read?

Failure of the app does not automatically mean that the passport is invalid.

The applicant may be able to:

• retry the scan;
• remove the phone case;
• move the phone slowly over the back cover;
• use another compatible phone;
• use a participating Post Office where that option is offered;
• use different ACSP technology; or
• proceed through a person-led ACSP check.

A person-led check may remain possible where the original passport and its physical security features can be examined satisfactorily.

Can You Use the CIN in the One Login App?

No published GOV.UK One Login app route lists the Brazilian CIN as an accepted document.

The app accepts specified documents such as:

• UK passport;
• non-UK passport containing a biometric chip;
• UK photocard driving licence;
• certain UK biometric immigration documents; and
• UK Frontier Worker permit.

The CIN does not become an accepted app document merely because it is machine-readable, contains a QR code or has a digital version.

Can You Use an RG Card in the One Login App?

No.

An older Brazilian RG is not an accepted app document.

Can You Use a Brazilian CNH in the One Login App?

No.

The app accepts a UK photocard driving licence rather than a Brazilian CNH.

A physical PRADO-listed CNH may still qualify through a person-led ACSP check.

Answering Security Questions

Some Brazilian nationals living in the United Kingdom may receive the option to answer security questions online.

The system can use information connected with:

• UK bank accounts;
• credit cards;
• loans;
• mortgages;
• mobile phone contracts;
• benefits;
• tax records; or
• other UK financial and government information.

A Brazilian director who lives outside the United Kingdom or has little UK financial history may find this route less practical.

Name differences may also cause matching problems, particularly where:

• accents are missing;
• several given names are shortened;
• maternal or paternal surnames are omitted;
• de, da, do, dos or das is removed;
• a married surname differs from the passport;
• Filho, Júnior or Neto is entered inconsistently;
• a bank account uses an everyday name; or
• Companies House contains only part of the legal name.

Verification at a UK Post Office

GOV.UK One Login may direct some applicants to a participating Post Office.

The applicant must first:

1. start the Companies House identity-verification service online;
2. enter the requested photo-ID details;
3. receive confirmation that the Post Office route is available;
4. download the customer letter or QR code;
5. attend a participating Post Office; and
6. present the original document specified in the instructions.

The applicant cannot simply attend without first completing the online stage.

The original document must be presented. A photocopy or digital image is not accepted.

The customer letter normally provides approximately 15 days in which to attend.

A Brazilian passport will normally provide the clearest Post Office document route.

Do not assume that the Post Office will accept:

• CIN;
• RG;
• Brazilian CNH;
• digital CNH;
• CPF certificate;
• GOV.BR identity screen;
• voter card;
• professional identity card; or
• digital image of a passport.

2. Verify Through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider

An ACSP can verify a person’s identity for Companies House.

ACSPs commonly include regulated solicitors, accountants and company service providers.

An ACSP may complete checks:

• remotely;
• by video call;
• in person; or
• through suitable identity document validation technology.

The ACSP must remain registered with Companies House and appropriately supervised for UK anti-money laundering purposes.

The ACSP route may suit a Brazilian director or PSC who:

• lives in Brazil;
• lives elsewhere outside the United Kingdom;
• cannot complete GOV.UK One Login;
• cannot scan the passport chip;
• wants to use a PRADO-listed CNH;
• only has one clearly accepted photographic document;
• needs help selecting a Group B document;
• has only a CIN or RG as the second photographic document;
• has several family surnames;
• uses a social name;
• has changed their surname following marriage;
• has a dual-nationality passport with a different name;
• has an incorrect date of birth at Companies House; or
• wants remote verification by video call.

After an ACSP verifies the applicant, Companies House sends the personal code to the applicant’s individual email address. It should normally arrive within a few hours, although that timing is not guaranteed.

How Many Documents Do You Need?

The number of documents depends on how the ACSP completes the identity check.

Option 1: Technology-Led Verification

One eligible photographic identity document may be enough where the ACSP uses suitable identity document validation technology.

The technology must validate:

• cryptographic security features where the document contains them; and
• physical security features such as holograms and security printing.

Companies House permits:

• biometric or machine-readable passport;
• UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or EU photocard driving licence;
• biometric identity card from the EU, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein;
• certain UK biometric immigration documents;
• UK Frontier Worker permit; or
• eVisa.

For a Brazilian national, the most relevant Option 1 documents will normally be:

• Brazilian biometric or machine-readable passport;
• another biometric passport held through dual nationality;
• UK photocard driving licence;
• eligible UK immigration document; or
• eVisa.

A biometric or machine-readable passport may be up to six months expired where the technology can still validate the necessary security features.

Can a Brazilian Passport Qualify Under Option 1?

Potentially.

The passport must:

• be biometric or machine-readable;
• be supported by the ACSP’s technology;
• pass the electronic and physical checks;
• contain a suitable facial image;
• belong to the applicant;
• not have been cancelled or replaced; and
• pass the required liveness and identity checks.

Can the CIN Qualify Under Option 1?

No, not through the current identity-card category.

Brazil is outside the specified list of countries.

Can an RG Qualify Under Option 1?

No.

The older RG does not fall within the current Option 1 categories.

Can a Brazilian CNH Qualify Under Option 1?

No, not through the current driving-licence category.

The Option 1 driving-licence category covers specified UK and EU photocard licences.

Brazil is not an EU Member State.

Option 2: Person-Led Remote or In-Person Verification

A trained person may inspect the documents remotely by video call or examine them in person.

The applicant must provide either:

• two Group A photographic identity documents; or
• one Group A photographic identity document and one Group B supporting document.

An applicant living outside the United Kingdom must provide at least one government-issued document.

A passport may be up to 18 months expired under Option 2, provided it has not been cancelled or replaced.

Other documents normally need to remain current unless Companies House specifies an exception.

For many Brazilian applicants, the simplest Option 2 route is:

• Brazilian passport; and
• one accepted Group B supporting document.

A second possible route is:

• Brazilian passport; and
• a physical CNH matching a PRADO-listed model.

Group A Photographic ID for Brazilian Nationals

1. Brazilian Biometric Passport

A current Brazilian passport normally provides the strongest Group A evidence.

Relevant PRADO-listed models include:

• BRA-AO-06001;
• BRA-AO-05001;
• BRA-AO-02001; and
• BRA-AO-01001.

The first two models are the most likely to remain current in 2026.

For person-led Option 2, a passport may be accepted where it expired within the previous 18 months.

However, do not use a passport that:

• has been cancelled;
• has been replaced;
• was reported lost or stolen;
• contains cancellation marks;
• has a cut or clipped corner;
• is seriously damaged;
• has an unreadable biodata page;
• no longer matches the holder’s identity; or
• cannot be validated satisfactorily.

2. Brazilian CNH

The Brazilian driving licence is called the Carteira Nacional de Habilitação, or CNH.

PRADO currently lists eight Brazilian CNH models issued through particular state traffic authorities:

• BRA-FO-07002, São Paulo;
• BRA-FO-07001, São Paulo;
• BRA-FO-06001, Goiás;
• BRA-FO-05001, Minas Gerais;
• BRA-FO-04001, Paraná;
• BRA-FO-03001, Espírito Santo;
• BRA-FO-02001, Santa Catarina; and
• BRA-FO-01001, Bahia.

A physical CNH may therefore provide Group A evidence under person-led Option 2 where:

• the exact document matches a PRADO-listed model;
• the individual licence remains valid;
• the photograph matches the applicant;
• the licence has not been replaced;
• it has not been cancelled, suspended or revoked;
• the physical security features remain inspectable;
• the document shows no sign of alteration; and
• its details match the passport and other evidence.

Important Point About the Current 2022 CNH Model

Brazil introduced a new nationally standardised CNH design from 1 June 2022.

The current model uses green and yellow elements, additional security features, QR-code verification and fields accommodating matters such as social names and driving restrictions.

However, PRADO’s current Brazil page does not separately list the nationwide 2022 design.

Therefore:

Do not assume that every modern Brazilian CNH automatically qualifies as Group A merely because PRADO lists older Brazilian driving-licence models.

Send clear images of both sides for individual review before relying on the CNH.

How Long Is a Brazilian CNH Valid?

The ordinary renewal period is generally:

• up to ten years for a driver under 50;
• up to five years for a driver aged 50 to 69; and
• up to three years for a driver aged 70 or over.

A medical examiner may impose a shorter period.

Always check the expiry date on the individual licence.

Can You Use an Expired Brazilian CNH?

Normally no.

Companies House does not provide a general expiry exception for Brazilian driving licences.

Use a current licence or another document combination.

Can You Use a Replaced CNH?

No.

Do not use an old CNH after:

• renewal;
• replacement;
• loss report;
• change of name;
• addition or change of driving category;
• issue of a replacement card; or
• cancellation.

Can You Use a Suspended or Revoked CNH?

Do not rely on a suspended, revoked or cancelled CNH.

Even where the card remains physically present, its legal status may prevent it from providing reliable current evidence.

Can You Use the Digital CNH?

Brazil’s digital CNH, known as the CNH-e, has legal validity within Brazil and is available through the Carteira Digital de Trânsito application for eligible licences containing a QR code.

However, the digital CNH should not replace the original physical PRADO-listed document for a person-led Companies House check.

Do not rely only on:

• Carteira Digital de Trânsito screen;
• exported digital CNH;
• screenshot;
• QR code;
• printed digital version;
• GOV.BR login;
• photograph of the licence; or
• online DETRAN extract.

The ACSP may use the digital CNH as supplementary verification evidence.

3. Another Passport Held Through Dual Nationality

A Brazilian national who also holds another nationality may provide a second passport.

Two current passports may provide two Group A documents under person-led Option 2.

For example, an applicant may hold:

• Brazilian and British passports;
• Brazilian and Portuguese passports;
• Brazilian and Italian passports;
• Brazilian and Spanish passports;
• Brazilian and Irish passports;
• Brazilian and United States passports; or
• Brazilian and another foreign passport.

The ACSP must connect the passports where they show:

• different surname combinations;
• omitted maternal or paternal surname;
• married and birth surnames;
• different accents;
• different punctuation;
• different place-of-birth descriptions;
• several names in one passport and fewer names in another; or
• different transliterations.

4. UK Photocard Driving Licence

A Brazilian national living in the United Kingdom may use a valid UK photocard driving licence as another Group A document.

A Brazilian passport combined with a UK photocard driving licence can provide two strong photographic identity documents.

5. Eligible UK Immigration Document

A Brazilian national may hold an eligible UK photographic immigration document.

Examples may include:

• qualifying biometric residence permit;
• biometric residence card;
• UK Frontier Worker permit;
• photographic government-issued work permit;
• photographic immigration document;
• photographic visa; or
• eVisa under the technology-led route.

The ACSP must review the exact document and apply the current Companies House expiry rules.

Brazilian Documents You Should Not Rely On as Required Evidence

CIN

Do not rely on the CIN as one of the two formal documents under the current published route.

It may provide useful supplementary evidence, but it is not currently listed on PRADO.

RG

Do not rely on an older state-issued RG as a formal Group A document.

Its continuing domestic validity until 2032 does not change the Companies House categories.

CPF

A CPF is a number rather than a photographic identity document.

Digital CIN

The digital CIN does not replace the formal accepted document combination.

Digital CNH

The digital CNH does not replace the physical PRADO-listed CNH.

Título de Eleitor

A Brazilian voter-registration document may help confirm:

• name;
• CPF;
• electoral registration;
• place of registration; or
• recent public activity.

However, it does not appear in the Companies House Group A or Group B lists.

Carteira de Trabalho

The Brazilian employment record, known as the Carteira de Trabalho e Previdência Social, may contain identity and employment information.

However, it is not automatically included in Group A or Group B.

A digital employment record does not replace the accepted documents.

Professional Identity Cards

Brazilian professional councils and organisations may issue identity cards, including cards connected with:

• OAB;
• CRM;
• CREA;
• CRC;
• CRO;
• CRP;
• nursing councils;
• architecture councils; or
• other professions.

These cards may provide supplementary evidence of occupation and identity.

However, they are not automatically qualifying Group A or Group B documents.

Military Documents

Do not assume that the following qualify:

• military certificate;
• reservist certificate;
• armed-forces identity card;
• enlistment certificate; or
• military-service record.

A government-issued photographic military card may require individual review, but it should not replace a clearly accepted passport combination without confirmation.

SUS or Health Card

A SUS card or health document is not accepted photographic identity evidence.

Brazilian Criminal-Record Certificate

A Brazilian criminal-record certificate may contain personal details but does not fall within the current Group A or Group B categories.

Brazilian Tax Documents

Income-tax records and Receita Federal documents may help demonstrate genuine activity.

They do not automatically provide the required identity document combination.

Student, Employment and Membership Cards

Do not rely on:

• student card;
• university card;
• employee card;
• professional membership card;
• transport card;
• bank payment card;
• private club card; or
• healthcare card

as one of the required documents.

Group B Supporting Documents

Where you have only one suitable Group A photographic document, you may provide one Group B document.

Companies House Group B documents include:

• birth or adoption certificate;
• marriage or civil partnership certificate;
• non-photographic immigration document;
• non-photographic visa;
• non-photographic work permit;
• bank or building society statement;
• mortgage statement showing the current address;
• utility bill showing the current address;
• insurance policy showing the current address;
• UK council tax statement; or
• qualifying UK local-authority or social-housing rental agreement.

A Brazilian bank statement, utility bill, mortgage statement, insurance policy, birth certificate or marriage certificate may work where the ACSP can confirm that it:

• belongs to the applicant;
• comes from a genuine issuer;
• remains complete and legible;
• clearly shows the relevant personal details;
• contains no sign of alteration;
• supports the claimed identity or current address; and
• provides credible evidence of genuine activity.

Brazilian Bank Statements

A Brazilian bank statement may provide Group B evidence.

The statement should:

• show the applicant’s full name;
• identify the bank clearly;
• show a recent statement date;
• contain genuine account activity;
• remain complete;
• remain legible;
• contain no sign of editing; and
• show the current address where the applicant relies on it as address evidence.

A complete PDF downloaded directly from online banking will normally provide stronger evidence than a cropped mobile-banking screenshot.

A Brazilian statement may:

• omit accents;
• use only one or two given names;
• omit one family surname;
• remove de, da, do, dos or das;
• abbreviate names;
• show a married surname;
• use a former address; or
• identify only the account holder and not the home address.

This does not automatically make the statement unacceptable. However, the ACSP must connect it to the passport and other evidence.

A banking-app login, PIX key or transaction screenshot without the complete statement is not enough.

Brazilian Utility Bills

A Brazilian utility bill may provide Group B evidence where it clearly shows the applicant’s current residential address.

Examples may include:

• electricity bill;
• water and sewerage bill;
• gas bill;
• fixed-line telephone bill;
• household internet bill where accepted as a utility; or
• another genuine household utility account.

The verifier must be able to identify:

• service provider;
• account holder;
• service address;
• billing date;
• account information; and
• connection to the applicant.

A bill in another family member’s name will not normally establish the applicant’s address without additional evidence.

A PIX payment, bank transaction, receipt or barcode screen does not necessarily amount to the complete utility bill.

Brazilian Mortgage Statements

A Brazilian mortgage statement may provide Group B evidence where it clearly shows:

• applicant’s name;
• identifiable lender;
• current residential address;
• statement date; and
• genuine mortgage or housing-finance information.

A purchase agreement, property deed, property-tax record, registry extract or condominium statement is not automatically the same as a mortgage statement.

Brazilian Insurance Policies

A Brazilian insurance policy may provide Group B evidence where it clearly identifies the applicant and shows the current residential address.

Examples may include:

• home insurance;
• buildings insurance;
• contents insurance;
• vehicle insurance; or
• another genuine policy.

A quotation, payment slip, renewal invitation, proposal or marketing email may not amount to the policy itself.

Brazilian Birth Certificates

A Brazilian birth certificate is called a certidão de nascimento.

An official Brazilian birth certificate may provide Group B evidence.

The certificate may be available as:

• original civil-registry certificate;
• updated second copy;
• short-form extract;
• full-content or inteiro teor certificate;
• physical certificate;
• digitally signed certificate; or
• electronic certificate carrying verification information.

For Companies House verification, provide the complete official certificate rather than:

• hospital birth notification;
• baptism certificate;
• religious record;
• cropped photograph;
• civil-registry application receipt;
• CPF screen;
• translation without the original; or
• informal family record.

The ACSP should be able to identify:

• applicant’s complete registered name;
• date of birth;
• place of birth;
• parents’ names;
• CPF where shown;
• civil-registry office;
• registration number;
• date of issue; and
• any later annotation or amendment.

Updated Brazilian Civil Certificates

Brazilian consular procedures may require an updated birth or marriage certificate issued within a specified period.

Companies House does not impose a general six-month age limit on all foreign birth or marriage certificates.

However, an ACSP may request a recent certificate where:

• the original is old or damaged;
• the holder has changed their name;
• marriage or divorce has occurred;
• a civil annotation is missing;
• the record is difficult to validate;
• the certificate predates CPF integration; or
• a newer digital certificate provides stronger verification.

Brazilian consular guidance indicates that updated certificates may be obtained through the issuing civil registry or official electronic civil-registration channels.

Digital Brazilian Birth Certificates

A digitally issued certificate may provide Group B evidence where:

• it is the complete official document;
• it contains a verifiable digital signature or hash;
• the issuing civil registry can be identified;
• its integrity can be validated;
• it has not been altered; and
• it clearly belongs to the applicant.

Provide the original electronic PDF rather than:

• screenshot;
• printout that removes the digital signature;
• converted image;
• cropped extract; or
• copied text.

Brazilian Nationals Born Abroad

A Brazilian national born outside Brazil may have:

• foreign birth certificate;
• Brazilian consular birth registration;
• Brazilian birth certificate transcribed in Brazil;
• Brazilian passport;
• CIN or RG;
• CPF; or
• documents belonging to the Brazilian parent or parents.

Useful evidence may include:

• original foreign birth certificate;
• Brazilian consular registration;
• Brazilian civil-registry transcription;
• current Brazilian passport;
• current foreign passport;
• certified translation where required; and
• documents connecting different versions of the name.

Brazilian Marriage Certificates

A Brazilian marriage certificate is called a certidão de casamento.

An official marriage certificate may provide Group B evidence.

It can also help connect:

• birth surname;
• married surname;
• former surname;
• surnames added or removed following marriage;
• name used under another nationality;
• Brazilian and UK records;
• passport and Companies House names; or
• a former company appointment.

Provide the complete official certificate rather than:

• wedding photograph;
• ceremonial document;
• church record without civil registration;
• partial scan;
• application receipt;
• translation without the original; or
• online screenshot.

The certificate should clearly identify:

• both spouses;
• names before and after marriage where recorded;
• date of marriage;
• place of marriage;
• civil-registry office;
• registration details;
• annotations; and
• date of issue.

Brazilian Citizens Married Abroad

A Brazilian national who marries abroad may hold:

• foreign marriage certificate;
• Brazilian consular marriage registration;
• Brazilian civil-registry transcription;
• apostille or legalisation where applicable;
• certified translation;
• updated Brazilian passport;
• updated CIN or RG;
• updated CPF information; or
• official name-change evidence.

An official foreign marriage certificate may itself provide Group B evidence.

The ACSP may request Brazilian linking evidence where:

• names differ;
• the marriage has not been registered in Brazil;
• the passport still shows the former surname;
• a foreign passport uses a married surname;
• CPF or bank records use another name; or
• Companies House contains an outdated name.

Divorce, Widowhood and Name-Change Evidence

A divorce judgment, annotated marriage certificate, death certificate or civil-registry record may help explain differences between documents.

These records normally act as linking evidence.

They do not automatically replace the required Group A and Group B combination unless the document itself falls within an accepted category.

Useful linking documents may include:

• annotated marriage certificate;
• divorce judgment;
• consensual divorce deed;
• spouse’s death certificate;
• corrected birth certificate;
• updated CIN;
• current passport;
• former passport; or
• official name-change decision.

English Translations

Brazilian passports use Portuguese and internationally standardised identity-document fields.

However, CIN, RG, CNH, birth certificates, marriage certificates, bank statements and utility bills may contain important information only in Portuguese.

The ACSP may request an English translation where it cannot clearly understand:

• document type;
• issuing authority;
• applicant’s full name;
• parents’ names;
• spouse’s name;
• current address;
• date of issue;
• birth information;
• marriage information;
• name-change information;
• annotations; or
• another material entry.

Provide:

• the complete original document; and
• a complete English translation where requested.

The translation supports the original document. It does not replace it.

Recommended Document Combinations

Brazilian Passport and PRADO-Listed CNH

This combination may provide two Group A photographic documents under person-led Option 2.

The passport confirms identity and Brazilian nationality.

The physical CNH may provide the second Group A document where its exact model appears on PRADO.

The ACSP must confirm:

• precise CNH model;
• issuing state;
• current validity;
• photograph;
• physical security features;
• whether the licence was replaced;
• whether it remains legally effective; and
• consistency with the passport.

Brazilian Passport and Bank Statement

This combination provides one Group A document and one Group B document.

It often provides the clearest route where the applicant:

• does not hold a PRADO-listed CNH;
• only has CIN or RG as another photographic document;
• has no second passport;
• wants to demonstrate genuine financial activity;
• needs to establish a Brazilian or UK address; or
• has a name-format difference across documents.

Brazilian Passport and Utility Bill

A utility bill may provide the required Group B document where it clearly shows the applicant’s current residential address.

Brazilian Passport and Mortgage Statement

A Brazilian mortgage statement may provide Group B evidence where it clearly shows the applicant’s current home address.

Brazilian Passport and Insurance Policy

A Brazilian insurance policy may provide Group B evidence where it identifies the applicant and shows the current address.

Brazilian Passport and Birth Certificate

An official Brazilian or foreign birth certificate may provide Group B evidence.

This combination can help where:

• Companies House omits one or more given names;
• maternal or paternal surname is missing;
• accents have been removed;
• particles such as de or da are omitted;
• Filho, Júnior or Neto is recorded inconsistently;
• the passport and company record use different surname combinations;
• date or place of birth requires clarification;
• applicant was born abroad; or
• verifier needs stronger civil-registration evidence.

Brazilian Passport and Marriage Certificate

An official Brazilian or foreign marriage certificate may provide Group B evidence.

It can also help connect:

• birth and married surnames;
• surnames added or removed following marriage;
• former Companies House name;
• Brazilian and foreign identity documents; or
• another name used professionally.

Brazilian Passport and UK Photocard Driving Licence

A Brazilian national living in the United Kingdom may use a valid UK photocard driving licence as the second Group A document.

This combination provides two strong photographic identity documents.

Brazilian Passport and UK Immigration Document

An eligible UK photographic immigration document may provide another Group A document.

An eVisa may qualify under the technology-led route.

Brazilian Passport and Second Foreign Passport

A Brazilian dual national may use another current passport as a second Group A document.

This combination can provide strong evidence where the ACSP can connect differences in:

• surname order;
• maternal and paternal surnames;
• accents;
• married name;
• place of birth;
• nationality; or
• document spelling.

Brazilian Names and Name Structure

Brazilian identity records require careful name checks.

Brazilian names may contain:

• several given names;
• several family surnames;
• maternal and paternal surnames;
• surname particles;
• compound surnames;
• generational suffixes;
• married surnames;
• social names;
• accented letters; or
• names originating from Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, German, Japanese, Arabic, Indigenous or other traditions.

The ACSP should not assume that:

• the last word is the only surname;
• every family member uses the same surname combination;
• the maternal surname always appears first;
• the paternal surname always appears last; or
• a shortened UK name is necessarily incorrect.

Several Given Names

A Brazilian passport may show more than one given name.

For example, separate records may:

• include all given names;
• show only the first given name;
• use an initial;
• omit a second or third given name;
• use a compound given name;
• use an everyday name; or
• display the names in a different order.

A shorter Companies House record may still relate to the same person.

However, the complete evidence must support one consistent identity.

Multiple Family Surnames

Brazilian names commonly contain more than one family surname.

A person may use surnames associated with:

• mother;
• father;
• grandparents;
• spouse; or
• another recognised family connection.

Separate records may:

• show all family surnames;
• omit one surname;
• use only the final surname;
• use the maternal surname professionally;
• reverse surname order;
• add a spouse’s surname;
• remove an earlier surname; or
• abbreviate part of the name.

The passport’s labelled surname and given-name fields should provide the primary reference.

De, Da, Do, Dos and Das

Brazilian names may contain particles such as:

• de;
• da;
• do;
• dos; and
• das.

For example:

• João da Silva;
• Maria de Souza;
• Carlos dos Santos;
• Ana do Nascimento; or
• Luís das Neves.

A UK system may:

• omit the particle;
• capitalise it;
• join it to the surname;
• move it to another field; or
• treat it as a middle name.

For example, records may show:

• da Silva;
• Da Silva;
• Silva;
• D Silva; or
• Dasilva.

These differences do not automatically establish different identities.

Accents and Portuguese Characters

Brazilian names may contain characters such as:

• á;
• à;
• â;
• ã;
• ç;
• é;
• ê;
• í;
• ó;
• ô;
• õ; and
• ú.

A UK database may remove these marks.

For example, records may show:

• Gonçalves and Goncalves;
• João and Joao;
• André and Andre;
• Conceição and Conceicao;
• Cândido and Candido; or
• Antônio and Antonio.

The absence of accents or the cedilla does not automatically mean that the records belong to different people.

Machine-Readable Passport Spellings

The machine-readable zone may:

• remove accents;
• replace ç with C;
• remove apostrophes;
• remove hyphens;
• merge spaces;
• truncate a long name; or
• divide surname and given names differently.

The ACSP should compare:

• visible passport name;
• machine-readable zone;
• CIN or RG;
• CNH;
• birth certificate;
• marriage certificate;
• bank statement; and
• Companies House record.

Filho, Júnior, Neto and Sobrinho

Brazilian names may contain generational elements such as:

• Filho;
• Júnior;
• Neto;
• Sobrinho;
• Segundo; or
• Terceiro.

These elements may form part of the legal name and should not automatically be omitted.

Separate records may show:

• João da Silva Filho;
• João da Silva;
• João Silva Filho;
• João S Filho; or
• João Filho.

Where Companies House omits a generational element, provide the full passport and civil certificate.

Married and Former Surnames

Marriage can create differences between Brazilian and UK records.

A person may:

• retain all birth surnames;
• add a spouse’s surname;
• remove one existing surname;
• use a married surname socially;
• use a married surname professionally;
• retain the passport in a former name temporarily;
• update Brazilian records before UK records; or
• use different names under two nationalities.

Provide:

• current passport;
• former passport where available;
• marriage certificate;
• annotated civil certificate;
• updated CIN;
• second passport where relevant;
• divorce evidence where applicable; and
• documents showing the name used at Companies House.

Social Names

Brazilian documents may record a nome social, or social name, in addition to the civil-registration name.

The CIN framework allows a social name to be included while retaining the civil registered name in the document record.

Companies House and the ACSP must establish:

• current legal civil name;
• social name;
• name appearing in the passport;
• name appearing on the Companies House register; and
• documents connecting the different versions.

A social name should not be treated automatically as a former legal name.

Brazilian and Foreign Versions of the Same Name

A Brazilian dual national may hold a foreign passport showing a different name form.

Differences may result from:

• omitted surname;
• changed surname order;
• removal of accents;
• marriage;
• foreign naming laws;
• shorter passport fields;
• different use of a generational suffix;
• foreign transliteration;
• adoption; or
• formal name correction.

Provide all relevant passports and civil-status documents so the ACSP can connect the versions.

Check Your Date of Birth Before Verification

The date of birth linked to the Companies House personal code must match the date held by Companies House.

Problems can arise where:

• Companies House holds the wrong date;
• someone made an error during incorporation;
• the passport and company record differ;
• Brazilian civil-registration information contains an error;
• UK and Brazilian date formats are confused;
• the CPF is copied incorrectly;
• the ACSP submits incorrect information; or
• the applicant enters the personal code incorrectly.

Use:

• passport;
• birth certificate;
• CIN or RG as supplementary evidence; and
• other official civil-status records.

Companies House may prevent the personal code from connecting to a director or PSC role where the date of birth does not match.

Correct inaccurate information before the compliance deadline.

Brazilian Addresses and Address History

Companies House requires an ACSP to collect:

• current home address; and
• address history for the previous 12 months.

A Brazilian applicant’s documents may show different addresses because:

• CIN or RG contains an earlier address;
• the applicant lives permanently overseas;
• the passport does not show a home address;
• bank statement uses a correspondence address;
• utility bill is in a parent’s or spouse’s name;
• the applicant recently moved;
• a condominium or building name is formatted differently;
• the CEP is omitted; or
• the applicant has both Brazilian and UK homes.

The applicant should provide the actual current residential address.

Where the identity document shows an old address, use a suitable current Group B document.

Same-Day Remote Verification by Video Call

Ginkgo Advisory is registered with Companies House as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider.

We can arrange remote Companies House identity verification by video call for Brazilian directors and PSCs.

Same-day identity checks and ACSP submission may be available where:

• we review and approve the documents in advance;
• the applicant provides all required personal information;
• the document combination meets the Companies House standard;
• the applicant has the original documents during the call;
• the verifier can validate the documents;
• the applicant appears clearly on camera;
• the Companies House information matches; and
• no unresolved identity, document or compliance concern arises.

For many person-led Brazilian cases, the applicant should prepare:

• Brazilian passport; and
• one accepted Group B supporting document.

Alternative combinations may include:

• Brazilian passport and PRADO-listed physical CNH;
• Brazilian passport and UK photocard driving licence;
• Brazilian passport and eligible UK immigration document;
• Brazilian passport and another current foreign passport; or
• another approved Group A combination.

CIN, RG, CPF and a non-PRADO-listed CNH may be requested as additional evidence, but they should not replace the formal document combination.

Same-day service covers the identity check and ACSP submission.

Companies House controls the later processing and delivery of the personal code.

How the Remote Verification Process Works

Step 1: Send Your Documents

Send clear images of the documents you want to use.

For a passport, provide:

• complete biodata page;
• complete machine-readable zone;
• any observations page;
• any page showing a name amendment; and
• any relevant endorsement.

For a CNH, CIN or RG provided for review, send both the front and reverse or all physical sides.

For a bank statement, utility bill, mortgage statement, insurance policy, birth certificate or marriage certificate, send the complete document rather than a cropped screenshot.

You must also provide:

• full name;
• all former names;
• date of birth;
• current home address;
• address history for the previous 12 months; and
• individual email address.

Companies House requires ACSPs to retain the verification evidence and records for seven years.

Step 2: Confirm the Document Combination

We check whether each document falls within Group A or Group B.

The review may cover:

• whether the Brazilian passport is biometric and machine-readable;
• whether the passport chip works;
• whether the passport matches BRA-AO-06001, BRA-AO-05001 or another relevant model;
• whether the passport is current;
• whether it was cancelled or replaced;
• whether the CNH matches a PRADO-listed model;
• whether the applicant proposes the 2022 CNH design;
• whether the applicant proposes CIN or RG formally;
• whether the applicant proposes digital CIN or digital CNH;
• physical condition of each document;
• multiple given names;
• maternal and paternal surnames;
• de, da, do, dos and das;
• accents and cedillas;
• Filho, Júnior, Neto and Sobrinho;
• married and former surnames;
• social name;
• Brazilian and foreign passport versions;
• current residential address; and
• previous 12 months of address history.

Where the proposed evidence does not meet the standard, we identify a stronger combination before arranging the video call.

Step 3: Attend the Video Call

During the call, you must:

• appear clearly on camera;
• show the original documents;
• move or tilt them when requested;
• display security features from different angles;
• confirm your personal information;
• complete a live facial comparison; and
• answer any necessary identity questions.

The verifier must confirm that:

• you are a real person;
• the documents appear genuine;
• the identity belongs to you; and
• the evidence meets the Companies House standard.

Step 4: Complete the ACSP Submission

After completing the checks, the ACSP submits the verification information to Companies House.

The ACSP does not normally submit copies of the identity documents to Companies House.

However, it must retain:

• copies of documents;
• supporting evidence;
• records of checks;
• details of failed verification attempts; and
• other required verification information.

The records must be retained for seven years.

Step 5: Receive Your Personal Code

Companies House sends the 11-character personal code to the individual email address supplied during the ACSP submission.

Make sure that:

• the email address is correct;
• you can access the account;
• you check the spam or junk folder; and
• you keep the code secure.

You may share the code with a trusted solicitor, accountant or company administrator who needs to file on your behalf.

How Brazilian Directors Use the Personal Code

An existing director normally provides the personal code through the company’s next confirmation statement.

A director of more than one company must connect the code separately to each company.

A new director provides the code as part of the appointment filing.

When forming a new company, the incorporation application must include a personal code for each proposed director.

You normally verify your identity only once.

However, you must connect the same code to every separate director appointment.

How Brazilian PSCs Use the Personal Code

A PSC must connect the personal code separately to the PSC role.

This applies even where the same person has already provided the code as a director.

Director and PSC of the Same Company

A person who acts as both director and PSC must provide the code separately for each role.

As a director, the person provides the code through the company’s confirmation statement.

As a PSC, the person provides it during the applicable 14-day period linked to the company’s confirmation statement.

PSC Who Is Not a Director of the Same Company

A PSC who is not a director of the same company normally provides the code during the first 14 days of their birth month.

New PSC

A new PSC can provide the code when first added to the register or within the applicable 14-day period.

The same personal code can cover several companies and roles.

However, it must be connected separately to every relevant director and PSC position.

How Our Solicitor Can Help

Our solicitor can help Brazilian nationals by:

• reviewing Brazilian biometric passports;
• checking whether a passport matches BRA-AO-06001, BRA-AO-05001 or another PRADO model;
• assessing whether a passport should work through GOV.UK One Login;
• checking passport-chip problems;
• reviewing expired Brazilian passports;
• checking whether a passport has been cancelled or replaced;
• reviewing Brazilian CIN and RG documents as supplementary evidence;
• explaining why CIN and RG do not automatically qualify;
• reviewing Brazilian physical CNHs;
• checking whether a CNH matches a PRADO-listed state model;
• reviewing the current 2022 CNH design;
• explaining why a digital CNH does not replace the physical card;
• reviewing Brazilian emergency passports;
• explaining why a CPF is not the Companies House personal code;
• confirming the correct Group A and Group B combination;
• reviewing Brazilian bank statements and address documents;
• checking Brazilian birth and marriage certificates;
• validating digital civil certificates;
• reviewing foreign certificates for Brazilians born or married abroad;
• comparing names with and without accents;
• reviewing maternal and paternal surnames;
• checking de, da, do, dos and das;
• reviewing Filho, Júnior, Neto and Sobrinho;
• connecting married and former surnames;
• reviewing social names;
• comparing Brazilian and foreign passports;
• identifying date-of-birth and address differences;
• arranging a remote video call;
• completing the required ACSP checks;
• submitting the verification to Companies House; and
• helping the applicant progress towards receiving the personal code.

Ginkgo Advisory’s Role

Ginkgo Advisory provides the identity-verification service as a registered ACSP.

We support the process through:

• preliminary document review;
• client communication;
• document coordination;
• appointment arrangements;
• identity checks;
• ACSP submission; and
• practical case handling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Use My Brazilian Passport?

Yes.

A Brazilian passport provides Group A photographic identity evidence.

The most recent PRADO-listed ordinary model is BRA-AO-06001.

Is the Brazilian Passport Biometric?

Yes.

Brazilian passports have been issued as electronic passports containing a chip since December 2010.

Can I Use My Brazilian Passport in the GOV.UK One Login App?

Potentially.

The app accepts a non-UK passport containing a compatible biometric chip.

The chip, passport photograph and facial comparison must pass the app’s checks.

What If the Passport Chip Does Not Work?

The passport may still qualify through an ACSP.

A person-led Option 2 check may be available where the original physical document can be examined and validated.

How Long Is a Brazilian Passport Valid?

A passport is generally valid for:

• one year for a child under one;
• two years for a child aged one to under two;
• three years for a child aged two to under three;
• four years for a child aged three to under four;
• five years for a person aged four to under 18; or
• ten years for a person aged 18 or over.

Can I Use an Expired Brazilian Passport?

Potentially.

Option 1 may allow a biometric or machine-readable passport expired by up to six months.

Person-led Option 2 may allow a passport expired by up to 18 months.

The passport must not have been cancelled or replaced.

Can I Use a Cancelled Brazilian Passport?

No.

A cancelled passport may provide historical evidence but cannot provide current formal identity evidence.

Can I Use a Lost Passport That I Later Recovered?

No.

A passport reported lost or stolen should not be used.

Can I Use a Brazilian Passport Issued Through the London Consulate?

Yes, subject to the normal checks.

It remains a Brazilian passport issued through the competent Brazilian authorities.

Can I Use a Brazilian Emergency Passport?

Potentially, but it requires individual review.

An emergency passport normally has maximum validity of one year and may have travel restrictions.

Can I Use My CIN?

Do not rely on the CIN as one of the two formal documents under the current published route.

PRADO does not currently list a Brazilian national identity-card category.

The CIN may provide useful supplementary evidence.

Can I Use My Old RG?

Do not rely on it as a formal Group A document.

The RG may remain valid within Brazil until 2032, but it does not automatically qualify under the Companies House standard.

Is the CIN Group B?

No.

A foreign national identity card is not included in the published Group B list.

Can I Use the Digital CIN?

Do not rely on the digital version as the formal document.

It may provide supplementary identity and authenticity information.

Can I Use My CPF?

No.

The CPF is a personal identifier rather than a photographic identity document.

It is also different from the Companies House personal code.

Can I Use a CPF Certificate?

Not as the formal Group A or Group B document.

It may provide supplementary evidence connecting the applicant’s records.

Can I Use My Brazilian CNH?

Potentially under person-led Option 2.

The exact physical CNH must match a PRADO-listed model and pass the required checks.

Does Every Brazilian CNH Qualify?

No.

PRADO lists particular state-issued CNH models. It does not separately list the current nationwide 2022 design.

Send clear images of both sides for individual review.

Can I Use the New 2022 CNH?

It requires individual review.

Do not assume that it automatically qualifies merely because earlier Brazilian CNH models appear on PRADO.

Can I Use an Expired CNH?

Normally no.

Use a current licence or another document combination.

Can I Use the Digital CNH?

Do not rely on the digital CNH alone.

Prepare the original physical PRADO-listed licence.

Can I Use a Brazilian CNH Through GOV.UK One Login?

Not in the app.

The app accepts a UK photocard driving licence rather than a Brazilian CNH.

Can I Use a Brazilian CNH Under Option 1?

No, not through the current driving-licence category.

Brazil is not an EU Member State.

Can I Use a Brazilian Bank Statement?

Potentially.

A bank statement falls within Group B.

It must be genuine, complete, clear and capable of validation.

Can I Use a Brazilian Utility Bill?

Potentially.

A utility bill falls within Group B where it clearly shows the applicant’s current residential address.

Can I Use a Brazilian Mortgage Statement?

Potentially.

A mortgage statement may provide Group B evidence where it clearly shows the applicant’s current home address.

Can I Use a Brazilian Insurance Policy?

Potentially.

An insurance policy may provide Group B evidence where it identifies the applicant and shows the current address.

Can I Use a Brazilian Birth Certificate?

Potentially.

An official Brazilian certidão de nascimento falls within the Group B birth-certificate category.

Can I Use a Digital Brazilian Birth Certificate?

Potentially.

Provide the original digitally signed document rather than a screenshot or image conversion.

Does My Birth Certificate Need to Be Recent?

Companies House does not specify a general six-month limit.

However, a recent certificate may be requested where the older certificate is damaged, incomplete or does not show later amendments.

Can I Use a Brazilian Marriage Certificate?

Potentially.

An official certidão de casamento falls within the Group B marriage-certificate category.

Can I Use a Foreign Marriage Certificate?

Potentially.

Provide the complete official certificate together with any required translation, authentication and Brazilian linking evidence.

Do Brazilian Documents Need an English Translation?

Some documents may require translation.

Brazilian passports use international fields, but civil certificates, bank statements and utility bills may contain important information only in Portuguese.

Provide the original and an English translation where requested.

What If My Name Contains Several Surnames?

Provide the complete passport and civil certificate.

The ACSP should not assume that only the final surname matters.

What If Companies House Omits One of My Surnames?

A shortened company record may still relate to the same person.

Provide documents showing the full registered name.

What If My Name Contains De, Da, Do, Dos or Das?

Provide the complete document set.

A UK system may omit, capitalise or join the particle.

The ACSP should compare all identity details.

What If My Name Contains Ç or an Accent?

UK records may remove the accent or cedilla.

The ACSP should compare the passport, machine-readable zone and supporting documents.

What If My Name Contains Filho, Júnior or Neto?

Provide documents showing the complete legal name.

A generational element may form part of the registered identity and should not automatically be omitted.

What If I Use a Married Name?

Provide:

• current passport;
• marriage certificate;
• former passport where available;
• updated Brazilian identity documents;
• foreign passport where relevant; and
• documents showing the name used at Companies House.

What If I Use a Social Name?

Provide the CIN or other document showing the social name together with documents confirming the civil registered name.

The ACSP must connect both forms to one identity.

What If I Have Brazilian and Portuguese or Italian Passports With Different Names?

Provide both passports and the civil-status documents connecting the names.

The ACSP should determine the current legal identity and explain the differences.

What If My Date of Birth at Companies House Is Wrong?

Correct the Companies House record before attempting to connect the personal code.

The date of birth linked to the code must match the company record.

What If My CIN or RG Shows an Old Address?

Use a suitable current Group B address document.

The applicant must provide their actual current home address and address history for the previous 12 months.

Can I Verify My Identity While Living in Brazil?

Yes.

An ACSP can complete the check remotely where the document combination meets the Companies House standard and the video process allows the verifier to confirm the applicant’s identity.

Do I Always Need Two Documents?

You need two documents for a person-led remote or in-person Option 2 check.

One eligible document may be enough under Option 1 where suitable technology validates all required document and identity features.

Must I Post My Original Brazilian Passport?

Usually not for an approved remote video process.

You send clear images for preliminary review and show the original documents during the video call.

Can I Use One Personal Code as Both a Director and PSC?

Yes.

The personal code belongs to you.

However, you must connect it separately to the director role and PSC role.

Can You Complete the Verification on the Same Day?

Same-day identity checks and ACSP submission may be available where:

• we approve the document set in advance;
• the applicant provides all required information;
• the documents pass the necessary checks;
• the Companies House record matches;
• the applicant completes the video call; and
• no unresolved identity or compliance concern remains.

Companies House controls when it issues and delivers the personal code.

Need Companies House Identity Verification for a Brazilian Director or PSC?

Brazilian nationals will usually have one of these practical document routes:

• Brazilian biometric passport plus PRADO-listed physical CNH;
• Brazilian biometric passport plus accepted Group B supporting document;
• Brazilian passport plus valid UK photocard driving licence;
• Brazilian passport plus eligible UK immigration document;
• Brazilian passport plus another current passport held through dual nationality; or
• one eligible Brazilian biometric or machine-readable passport under a suitable technology-led Option 1 process.

Brazilian applicants should not currently rely on CIN, RG or CPF as the formal second document.

A Brazilian CNH may qualify under person-led Option 2 only where the exact physical document matches a PRADO-listed model and passes the required checks.

Some cases need extra care, especially where the applicant has:

• passport chip that cannot be read;
• older Brazilian passport;
• expired passport;
• cancelled or replaced passport;
• lost or stolen passport;
• Brazilian emergency passport;
• only CIN as the second photographic document;
• only an RG as the second photographic document;
• only a CPF certificate;
• current 2022 CNH not separately listed on PRADO;
• only a digital CNH;
• expired or replaced CNH;
• several given names;
• several maternal and paternal surnames;
• de, da, do, dos or das;
• accents or cedillas missing from Companies House;
• Filho, Júnior, Neto or Sobrinho;
• married or former surname;
• social name;
• Brazilian and foreign passports with different names;
• overseas birth or marriage;
• old or amended civil certificate;
• incorrect date of birth;
• current address different from the identity records; or
• information that does not match the Companies House register.

Ginkgo Advisory can review your documents, confirm the most suitable route and arrange remote Companies House identity verification by video call.

Same-day identity checks and ACSP submission may be available where the applicant provides a complete and suitable document set.