NIRE is the acronym for Business Registration Identification Number.
The NIRE is the company's legality registry at the State Board of Trade. It's a unique number that proves that the company officially exists.
To exercise activity in Brazil, all companies must be registered with the city hall, the state, the Federal Revenue and Social Security.
Each State (UF) has its own Board of Trade, whose name varies according to the name of the State. For example: JUCESP (São Paulo), JUCEMG (Minas Gerais), JUCERJA (Rio de Janeiro), and so on. The prices, terms and conditions for opening the company vary between States.
The NIRE is composed of eleven digits, including the UF (Federal Unit), the type of company and a verification digit (the 11th).
After having a NIRE, the company must register with the Internal Revenue Service for tax contribution and activity registration, where it will receive the CNPJ (National Registry of Legal Entities) number.
With the CNPJ, the company must apply to the city hall for the business license – a document that authorizes the operation of the company.
How to consult the NIRE
To find the NIRE, it is necessary to access the website of the Board of Trade of the state in which the company is registered. On the website, through the CNPJ, it is possible to access the NIRE and other data of the consulted company. If the State Board of Trade's website does not allow this access, it is necessary to go to the local Board of Trade in person.
It is also possible to make public consultations with the NIRE on the websites of the Boards of Trade, to find out if a particular company is formally registered. All companies must register with Social Security.
Difference between NIRE and State Registration
In some sectors of activity it is mandatory that the company has a State Registration (IE), usually obtained from the State Secretariat of Finance.
The State Registration it is not the same thing as NIRE. The IE is a company's registration with the Tax on Circulation of Goods and Services (ICMS), which gives the company permission to sell products or services.
Learn more about the meaning of CNPJ.