ID numbers: where are they and how to check them online?

Identity numbers in Brazil refer to our RG, or Registro Geral, which can be issued as soon as we are born. But where can I find it on the document?

It's important to know everything about your document and where to find your ID number, so we're going to show you!

What are identity numbers?

The identity number is a series of digits located on your RG, Registro Geral, or Identity Card.

This document is very important for identifying people and is widely used, especially when it also contains your CPF number.

The RG is an official document and is accepted in all Brazilian establishments, institutions and agencies. It is issued by Secretariat of Public Security of the state in which you live and contains all your important information, such as:

• Name;
• Date of birth;
• Identity numbers;
• Place of birth;
• Photo;
• Signature;
• Name of mother and father;
• And others.

Identity numbers are unique and serve as a form of personal identification throughout an individual's life.

That's why it's important to always have your ID up to date and keep it in a safe place, as it's an essential document for many everyday situations.

It's so important that people are encouraged to learn their CPF and ID numbers so that they know them off the top of their heads from an early age.

What is the ID for?

The RG (Registro Geral) is a personal identification document used to prove someone's identity.

And it is used in various situations and occasions to prove that a person really is who they say they are.

It can be used to open bank accounts or for some financial transactions, so never leave home without it and, if you're going to the bank, you could end up missing your trip.

It is also mandatory for applying to educational institutions and for accessing public services or social programs.

In commercial establishments, ID is required to make purchases, depending on the type, of course. And on national trips, it is used as identification at airports and ports.

How to check ID numbers online?

The ID is a very important document throughout our national territory, and on some occasions you may need to take the physical document with you wherever you go so that you can consult it.

But if you don't, sometimes having the document in digital form can help.

Digital ID

To access it, you'll need to download the app Digital ID of your state, it is available according to the region you live in.

Once downloaded, scan the Qr Code on your physical ID, register your facial biometrics and start using the app.

If your ID doesn't have a Qr Code, which is something for documents issued more recently, add the data manually and it will enter the same way.

You can register not only your document, but also that of your entire family, such as children, spouses and other dependents.

On the Meu INSS website

By accessing the Meu INSS website or app, you can also check the number of this document, and many others too.

Once you have logged in with your CPF and password, you will need to go to the registration page. In this same tab you will find your registration data, and by searching for documentation you will be able to see all your documents.

Under "identity", you will see your ID number, along with other relevant identification data.

How do I get my ID?

The first copy of the RG is usually issued during childhood, parents must carry out this process with different data in hand.

For the first copy of your or your child's document, you will need 2 original and recent 3×4 photos, without too many abrupt changes in appearance, as you need to be identifiable.

An original birth certificate is also required, or a simple copy, but don't forget to bring it.

Another document that cannot be missing is the CPF, which must be an original or a proof of registration from the Receita Federal. It can be consulted on the Receita Federal website for a voucher.

And if the document is to be issued to a child, they must be accompanied by a guardian who has their ID in hand.

I've lost my ID numbers, what now?

If you've lost your ID card, it's important to get a new one, even if you already have a digital ID card for online consultation.

Sometimes the physical ID may be needed and the digital one won't work, so you need to keep it with you.

In the event of your document being lost, stolen or misplaced, you need to start by filing a police report to report what happened to the document, either online or in person.

Your next step is to request a document. You can make an appointment at a place in your region, which for example if you live in São Paulo, may be a poupatempo, but it varies according to the region.

Once you've issued your ID, it doesn't stop there: you'll need to keep an eye on transactions in your name to identify possible fraud with your lost document.

Many people say that they have been defrauded after losing or having lost their identity card, since it contains their most important data such as their ID, CPF, date of birth and even their mother's name.

It is possible to commit financial fraud by trying to open bank accounts, apply for loans or carry out financial transactions in your name, causing financial losses.

If the criminals carry out debts in your name and don't pay, you could be blacklisted by credit protection agencies, damaging your financial reputation.

What's more, with so much data in their hands, they can use it as a basis for falsifying other documents such as driver's licenses and credit cards.

It is therefore extremely important that you take care with your personal documents that contain identity numbers.