Documents to open a company in 2026: complete list

A missing document is the most common reason for delays when opening a company. In many cases, the entrepreneur would already have their CNPJ (company tax ID) if they had known in advance what needed to be presented. To plan each stage better, check out the complete guide on how to open a company. Vivian Sampaio, an accountant and lawyer with more than 26 years of experience in accounting and law, has organized in this guide the complete list of documents by company type — so that you arrive at the process fully prepared.

Essential documents to open a company in Brazil

Before getting into the specifics of each company type, there is a core set of documents that is required regardless of the legal form. These are the documents of the entrepreneur or partners.

Personal documents of the entrepreneur or partners

For each partner (or the holder, in the case of a single-owner company), you must present:

RG or CNH (photo ID)
CPF (including the spouse’s, if married)
Proof of residence from the last three months (water, electricity, gas or telephone bills in the partner’s name; if in a third party’s name, present an authenticated declaration)
Marriage certificate (when applicable)
Power of attorney (only if the company is being opened by a representative, with a notarized signature)

These are the universal documents. Now, each company format requires additional documents.

Specific documents for the MEI

The MEI (individual micro-entrepreneur) has the most simplified process. In addition to the basic personal documents, the MEI needs:

Cadastro Nacional da Pessoa Jurídica (CNPJ) — generated automatically at the time of opening via Redesim, at no additional cost
MEI registration declaration — completed at the moment of registration
Simples Nacional (simplified tax regime) application — completed simultaneously with the opening

A bylaws/articles of association document is not required (since it is a single-owner company), there is no need to register with the Commercial Registry (Junta Comercial) — the registration is handled automatically by Redesim — and there is no registration fee. The MEI’s monthly cost is the DAS (around R$ 70-80 in 2026).

Quick checklist for the MEI

Documents for the LTDA and other companies

The Sociedade Limitada (LTDA) requires more documentation because it involves more than one person and articles of association (contrato social) that must be registered.

Articles of association

This is the central document of the LTDA. It must contain:

Corporate name and trade name
Primary and secondary activities (CNAE)
Registered head-office address
Share capital and how each partner contributes (in cash, movable property, real estate or rights)
Each partner’s share of profits and losses
Duration of the company
Rules for withdrawing pró-labore (owner’s compensation)
Dissolution clause and rules for a partner’s exit

The articles of association can be registered in two formats: by private instrument (when all partners sign with notarized signatures) or by public instrument (via a notary’s office). Most smaller LTDAs are registered by private instrument.

Additional documents for companies

In addition to the articles of association, you must present:

RG and CPF of all partners
Marriage certificate of married partners (or a marriage certificate proving single status, if unmarried)
Proof of address of all partners
Declaration of no legal impediment (templates available at the Commercial Registries)
IRPJ form (for companies with capital above certain thresholds, as required by the Federal Revenue Service)
Proof of capital contribution (bank transfer or declaration of asset transfer)

Documents by sector and CNAE

The company’s primary activity determines which additional documents are required. Some sectors require specific licenses.

Operating permit

Required for all companies that will have a physical commercial address. The permit classifies the activity’s risk level:

Low risk (offices, clinics, intellectual services): automatic permit within 48 to 72 hours via the São Paulo City Hall Portal
Medium risk (retail commerce, restaurants): document review, with a 5 to 15-day timeframe
High risk (industry, environmental licensing): on-site inspection, with a 30 to 60-day timeframe or longer

Environmental license

Companies whose CNAE codes indicate environmental impact (industries, gas stations, car washes, etc.) need an environmental license issued by Cetesb or the competent state/municipal agency. The environmental license can take 60 to 180 days and costs vary according to the size and complexity of the activity.

CRC/CFT — professional registration

For engineering, architecture and agronomy companies, the technical manager must be registered with the relevant professional council (CREA, CAU, etc.). The Technical Responsibility Certificate (ART/RRT) is issued by the professional and presented at the time of the permit application.

ANVISA

Companies in the health, food, cosmetics and medicine sectors need registration or a sanitary permit issued by ANVISA or the municipal health surveillance authority. These processes have specific timeframes and frequently require technical reports from licensed professionals.

Where to request each document

Opening a company via Redesim integrates most agencies into a single digital workflow. Even so, it is important to know where each document is generated:

Checklist: documents by company type

Use this table as a reference before starting the opening process:

FAQs

Do all documents need to be originals?

For most agencies, an authenticated copy is accepted. However, some agencies require the original document to be presented for verification at the time of filing. The general rule: bring originals and copies. If the agency requires specific authentication, the analyst will inform you at the time of filing.

Can proof of address be in a third party’s name?

Yes, but it must be accompanied by an authenticated declaration from the holder of the proof of address stating that the entrepreneur or partner resides at the address. The declaration can be made on plain paper, with the signature notarized by similarity.

How long is proof of address valid?

Most agencies accept proof from the last three months. Older documents may be rejected. If you do not have a recent bill in your name, the alternative is to request a residence declaration from the property owner, with a notarized signature.

Do I need an accountant to organize the documents?

The accountant does not collect documents for you, but they are the ones who organize the submission in the opening process. Many documents require professional guidance to avoid being rejected: the articles of association need specific clauses, the CNAE must be chosen correctly, and municipal legislation must be consulted. For the LTDA, having an accountant from the start is not optional — it is required by law.

Can the operating permit be requested after the CNPJ?

Yes. The ideal order is: CNPJ first, then municipal/state registrations, and finally the permit. However, some activities cannot operate without the permit, so it is usually requested together with the registrations. The good news is that, in São Paulo, the Redesim Portal allows everything to be done in parallel once the documents are ready.

Are you missing a document to open your company? The VMAHUB team can help you identify exactly what you need for your company type and business sector. Fill out our contact form and a specialist will get in touch with you.

If you already have the documents and want to know the total cost to open a company in 2026, check out our cost guide.

For an overview of the other practical guides on company formation, accounting and compliance, explore the introduction to the Naprática hub.

Vivian Sampaio is an accountant, lawyer, author, mentor and speaker with more than 26 years of experience in accounting and law. Founder of VMAHUB.