How to Get Your Paraguay Cedula

Prerequisites: Before You Begin

This guide assumes you have already completed the following:

• Secured temporary residency in Paraguay and received your Residency Card (Carnet de Radicación).
• Prepared your Birth Certificate and Criminal Record Certificate from your country of origin, ensuring they are apostilled and translated into Spanish by a certified translator.
• Your original Passport with at least six months of validity.

Step 1: Obtain Required Local Paraguayan Documents

The following local documents must be obtained from specific institutions within Paraguay. The process requires careful attention to detail.

1. Certificado de Vida y Residencia (Certificate of Life and Residence)

• Issued by: The Jurisdictional Police Station (Comisaría) for your specific district.
• Requirements: You will need to present your residency card or passport, proof of your current address (e.g., a utility bill), and have two Paraguayan national witnesses with photocopies of their Cédulas. You may also need a copy of your Interpol Criminal Record.
• Process: A police officer will likely call or visit your home to verify that you live there.
• Cost: No application cost.
• Processing Time: Typically 24 hours after verification.

2. Interpol Criminal Record Certificate (Local)

• Issued by: Interpol Department.
• Address: Cnel. Gracia No 468, Asunción.
• Requirements: Your original passport and a photocopy.
• Cost: Approximately Gs. 104,000.
• Processing Time: Takes about 72 business hours.

3. Certificado de Antecedentes para Extranjeros (Police Record for Foreigners)

• Issued by: Information Technology Department of the National Police.
• Address: Av. Boggiani esq. Ytororo, Asunción.
• Requirements: Your original passport and a notarized copy.
• Cost: Gs. 63,000.
• Processing Time: Immediate.

4. Carnet de Registro de Extranjeros (Foreigner Registration Card)

• Issued by: Foreigner Registration Department of the National Police.
• Address: Azara No 967 e/ EE.UU y Tacuary, Asunción.
• Requirements: Notarized copy of passport, notarized copy of your local Interpol Certificate, and a notarized copy of your Certificado de Vida y Residencia.
• Cost: Gs. 105,000.
• Processing Time: Takes about 10 business days. Make a notarized photocopy after you receive it.

Cédula Document Checklist

Use this checklist to gather the physical documents required for your final submission:

Step 2: Submit Your Cédula Application

Once all documents are ready, visit the main office of the Departamento de Identificaciones.

• Address: Boggiani esq. Campos Cervera, Asunción, Paraguay.
• Process: Go to the 2nd Floor for document review first. After approval, you will be directed to the Planta Baja (Ground Floor), Box 7 or B1, for your photo, fingerprints, and payment.
• Application Fee: Gs. 8,500.

Step 3: Collect Your Paraguayan Cédula

Processing Time: The Cédula is typically issued within **~30-45 business days**. Using professional help can sometimes shorten this period.

Collection: Return to the Departamento de Identificaciones with your application receipt (contraseña) to collect your new ID card.

Summary of Costs & Processing Times

Document/Process	Estimated Cost (PYG)	Processing Time	Notes
Notarization of Documents	~ Gs. 216,000+	Same day	Costs for notarizing copies of your Residency Card, Passport, etc.
Certificado de Vida y Residencia	No application cost	~24 hours	Requires two Paraguayan witnesses.
Interpol Criminal Record (Local)	~ Gs. 104,000	~72 business hours	Obtained from the Interpol Department.
Certificado de Antecedentes	Gs. 63,000	Immediate	Obtained from the Police IT Department.
Carnet de Registro de Extranjeros	Gs. 105,000	~10 days	Obtained from the Foreigner Registration Dept.
Cédula Application Fee	Gs. 8,500	~30-45 business days	Paid at Identificaciones during final submission.