There are many situations where obtaining a background check in Paraguay can be crucial, especially when seeking residency in the country. For those applying for temporary or permanent residency, it’s necessary to submit three background checks: one from their home country, one from Interpol, and one issued directly by the Paraguayan police.
Also known as a police clearance certificate or certificate of good conduct, depending on the nation of request, this document verifies whether an individual has had any legal issues throughout their life. In this guide, we’ll explain how to obtain a background check directly from Paraguay, how to request one from a foreign nation while in the country, and how to obtain the one issued by the Interpol office in Asunción.
If you need to obtain a background check in Paraguay or require assistance with the residency process, feel free to email us, and we’ll be happy to help.
How to request a Paraguayan background check
For foreigners in Paraguay, the relevant document is the certificado de antecedentes informatico para extranjeros. You can request this document to the IT Department of the National Police in Asunción, and its purpose is to demonstrate that the applicant has no criminal history in Paraguay.
To request this document, simply provide a copy of your passport authenticated by a Paraguayan notary. It’s essential to remember that the police will only accept an authenticated copy, as the original passport won’t be valid.
The document takes 24 hours to be ready and is very affordable too, costing just 63,000 guaraní (around $9). The certificate is valid for three months from the date of issue.
The IT Department of the Paraguayan Police is open from 07:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday. It’s located at Ytororo 704 in the Mcal Estigarribia neighborhood, near the famous Villa Morra area and our office.
Requesting an international background check (Interpol)
Another necessary document for the residency process is the international background check by the Interpol. In this case, the document proves that the applicant has no international legal issues.
To obtain the certificate, you need to visit the Interpol office at Cnel. Gracia Nº 468, again open from 07:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday. Alternatively, you can authorize another person to request and collect the certificate, provided they present a notarized document granting power of attorney. The required documentation includes:
- Two passport-sized photos;
- A certificate request form, available and fillable at the Interpol office;
- A copy of your passport authenticated by a Paraguayan notary.
The current cost of the international background check is 84,000 guaraní, approximately $12. Typically, it takes 1-2 business days to process the certificate.
Can I apply for residency if I have a criminal record?
It is possible to apply for residency in Paraguay even with a criminal record. The law does not expressly require the certificate to demonstrate a flawless conduct throughout one’s life, but it’s essential to navigate the process correctly to avoid issues:
- If the record includes serious offenses, residency application may be denied.
- The Interpol certificate must not show any ongoing criminal proceedings; this is a very strict requirement.
- If there are minor offenses revealed in the background check from the home country, residency can still be obtained.
In this case, it’s crucial to have your documents evaluated by the Immigration Department before arriving in Paraguay to apply for residency. This prevents unnecessary travel in case the process cannot proceed. Over our years of experience, we have built a strong relationship with the Immigration Department. This allows us to request specific consultations for each case, achieving positive outcomes even in instances where minor offenses are present in the background check.
Requesting a background check from Paraguay to a foreign country
One of the essential requirements for obtaining residency in Paraguay is to present a background check from your country of origin. If you have lived in a different country in the last 5 years, the document must come from the nation where you resided, not necessarily your country of origin.
In this case, the application process varies depending on the country to which the certificate must be sent. We have dealt with this situation over time, and below, we outline the necessary procedures for some of the most common nations.
If you have questions about obtaining a background check from your home country while in Paraguay, feel free to email us.
United States
Those in Paraguay needing a background check from the United States can request it relatively easily. It’s important to note that the Paraguayan public administration recognizes only documents issued by the US federal administration. Therefore, especially for the residency process, you’ll need to request the certificate from the FBI. Certificates from individual states are not accepted by the Paraguayan administration.
To request the certificate, visit the Interpol office, where the officers will record your fingerprints on form FD-258. While the form is usually provided by the office staff, having a printed copy may be a good idea.
The Interpol office in Asunción is recognized as an authorized entity to transmit verified fingerprints to the FBI. It typically takes 3-5 weeks to obtain the certificate, and the cost for the request is $18.
Canada
For Canadian citizens, the accepted document for the residency process in Paraguay is issued by the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police). To request it directly from Paraguay, you can have your fingerprints recorded at any police office. The fingerprints shall be then digitally transmitted to the RCMP: you can do this yourself or seek assistance from a specialized company by completing the process online.
United Kingdom
For UK citizens in Paraguay, you can email the ACRO Criminal Records Office. You’ll need to provide electronically: A recent photo A color copy of your passport The history of your addresses for the last 10 years A valid email address Indication of the payment method you intend to use
Currently, the cost for processing is £55. Alternatively, you can authorize a third party to handle the request and collection of the certificate.
Germany
For those with a German electronic identity, the process to obtain a background check from abroad is straightforward. You can do this through the AusweisApp2 app managed by the German government or through the online portal of the Federal Office of Justice. In this case, the cost of the process is €13.