What Documents Do You Need for Paraguay Residency?
What Documents Do You Need for Paraguay Residency?
Paraguay has one of the most straightforward residency programs in the world. But the most common reason for delays is not the government bureaucracy, it is incomplete or incorrect documents. Get this right and the rest is smooth.
This guide covers exactly what you need, where to get it, and the mistakes that trip people up.
The Core Documents
You need four documents to apply for temporary residency in Paraguay. Every applicant needs all four, no exceptions.
1. Valid Passport
Your passport must have at least one year of validity remaining at the time of application. Paraguay immigration is strict about this. If your passport expires in 11 months, renew it before you begin.
Bring both the original and two color photocopies of the main data page. The photocopies will be certified by a notary in Asuncion.
2. Birth Certificate
Your original birth certificate, issued by the civil registry of your country. It does not need to be recent, but it must be an official certified copy, not a photocopy of your original.
The birth certificate must be apostilled (see the section on apostilles below).
3. Criminal Background Check
This is the document that causes the most confusion. Here is what you need to know:
- It must be issued by the national police or justice department of your country of residence (not your country of birth, unless they are the same)
- It must be less than 6 months old at the time of submission in Paraguay
- It must be apostilled after issuance
- Some countries call this a "certificate of good conduct" or "police clearance certificate"
Timing matters. If you get your background check apostilled in January and do not travel to Paraguay until August, it will be expired. Plan your document timeline carefully. We help all our clients with this scheduling.
4. Marriage Certificate (if applicable)
If you are married and your spouse is applying with you, or if you want your marital status reflected in your residency records, bring your marriage certificate. It must also be apostilled.
If you are not married, you do not need this document.
Passport Photos
You will need passport-sized photos (4x4 cm, white background). Bring at least 6 copies. These can be taken at any photo studio before you travel, or we can arrange them in Asuncion on Day 1.
What Is an Apostille?
An apostille is an international certification that authenticates a public document for use in another country. It was established under the Hague Apostille Convention of 1961, and Paraguay is a member.
In practice, it is a stamp or attached certificate that proves your birth certificate or background check is genuine. Without it, Paraguayan authorities will not accept your documents.
Where to get an apostille
Every country has a designated apostille authority. In most cases:
- Netherlands: Rechtbank (district court) in The Hague or your local court
- Germany: Depends on the document type. Usually the Landgericht (regional court) or the Bundesverwaltungsamt
- Belgium: Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs in Brussels
- United Kingdom: The Legalisation Office in Milton Keynes
- Austria: The Landesgericht (regional court) or the Bundesministerium
We provide specific instructions for your country when you begin the process.
Apostille timing
Get your apostilles after you receive each document but before you book your flight. The apostille does not expire, but remember that the background check itself expires after 6 months.
What NOT to Do
These are the most common mistakes we see:
Do not translate your documents at home. All translations must be done by court-certified translators in Paraguay. Translations done in your home country are not accepted by Paraguayan immigration. We handle all translations as part of your package.
Do not get notarized copies at home. Certified copies and notarizations are done in Asuncion by Paraguayan notaries. Bringing pre-notarized copies from your country is unnecessary and may cause confusion.
Do not apostille a photocopy. The apostille must be attached to the original document (or an officially certified copy from the issuing authority). You cannot apostille a photocopy you made at home.
Do not wait too long after getting your background check. This is the most time-sensitive document. Get it, apostille it, and plan your trip to Paraguay within the next 3 to 4 months.
Document Checklist Summary
Before you book your flight to Asuncion, confirm you have:
- Passport with 1+ year validity (original + 2 color copies)
- Birth certificate (original, apostilled)
- Criminal background check (original, apostilled, less than 6 months old)
- Marriage certificate if applicable (original, apostilled)
- Passport photos (6x, 4x4 cm, white background)
That is the complete list. No financial statements, no proof of income, no bank references, no health certificates. Paraguay does not require any of these for standard temporary residency.
What We Handle for You
When you work with Paraguay Compass, we manage the entire document process:
- Pre-travel review of every document before you fly
- Country-specific apostille instructions for your nationality
- Scheduling guidance so nothing expires before submission
- Certified translations in Paraguay by court-approved translators
- Notarizations and certified copies in Asuncion
- Accompaniment to all government offices
If a document has an issue, we catch it before you travel, not at the immigration office in Asuncion.
Next Steps
Ready to start gathering your documents? Book a free consultation and we will review your specific situation, confirm which documents you need, and help you plan your timeline.
Already have your documents ready? Check out our step-by-step process guide to see exactly what happens during your 5 days in Asuncion.
Ready to Start?
Book a free consultation and we will answer all your questions.
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