How to check that an electronic invoice (CFE) you received is valid

When a supplier gives you an electronic invoice (a CFE: e-Factura, e-Ticket, etc.), what you see — on paper or as a PDF — is a 'printed representation' of the real receipt, which lives signed inside DGI's systems. The good news is you don't have to trust it blindly: DGI offers a public lookup to confirm that the receipt exists, is authorized and was received. Here's why it's worth verifying, what data to look at and how to do it.

Why verify a CFE you received?

If you're going to use that expense as deductible (or simply as proof of a purchase), it needs to be backed by a valid receipt. A genuine CFE has the same tax validity as the old paper invoice, as long as it meets the requirements. Verifying protects you from fake, badly issued or tampered receipts, and saves you trouble if DGI later asks you to back up that expense. It's especially useful with new suppliers or large amounts.

What the printed representation of a CFE shows

The sheet or PDF you receive isn't 'the invoice' itself, but its representation. To be able to verify it, it must legibly show at least this data:

• Issuer's RUT (who invoiced you).
• Type of receipt (for example, e-Factura or e-Ticket) and its internal type number.
• Series and number of the receipt (the numbering that identifies it).
• Signature date of the receipt.
• Total amount.
• The QR code and the security code (the first characters of the receipt's hash), which are the key to online verification.

How to verify it with DGI

DGI offers an online lookup to check a CFE. There are two paths, depending on what you have at hand. The fastest: scan the QR code on the printed representation; it takes you to DGI's lookup page with the data already filled in. If you can't scan, go to DGI's CFE verifier and enter the receipt data by hand (issuer's RUT, type, series, number and the security code). Either way, the check runs against the official systems.

What the lookup tells you

If the receipt is genuine, the lookup confirms that this CFE is linked to a valid CAE (issuance authorization) and was received by DGI, and shows you its main data (issuer, type, number, amount, date). If the data matches what you have in hand, the receipt is valid. Keep the receipt (the PDF or image) as usual; you don't need to print anything from the lookup.

What if it doesn't validate?

If the lookup can't find the receipt, or the data doesn't match your invoice, don't treat it as valid yet. There can be several causes, some innocent and some not:

• A typo when entering the data: double-check the RUT, series, number and security code and try again.
• The receipt is very recent and not showing yet: DGI receives receipts via reports; try again later.
• The supplier issued the receipt wrong or gave you a representation that doesn't match a real CFE: ask them to resend the correct receipt.
• Suspicion of a fake or tampered receipt: don't use it as proof and, if appropriate, check with DGI or your accountant.

• Electronic invoicing (CFE) in Uruguay: how it works
• The daily invoice report to DGI (Resolution 798/012)

Frequently asked questions

• Do I need a DGI clave to verify a CFE? The public receipt lookup uses the CFE's own data; you don't need your clave to confirm one you received.
• Where is the security code? Below the QR, on the printed representation; it's the first characters of the receipt's hash.
• Does the PDF work or does it have to be on paper? It doesn't matter: what's verified is the receipt's data, whether on paper or in a PDF.
• Is verifying mandatory? No, but it's the simplest way to make sure an expense is backed by a genuine CFE.
• What is the CAE? It's DGI's authorization that enables the issuer's numbering; a valid CFE is linked to an active CAE.

In short: the representation you receive carries a QR and a security code; with them you can confirm in seconds, against DGI's systems, that the CFE exists, is authorized and was received. Verify the receipts you'll use as proof, especially with new suppliers or large amounts. When in doubt, check with DGI or your accountant.