The cédula de identidad is the equivalent of the identity card in Paraguay. It is one of the most important documents for citizens of the country and for the thousands of foreigners who have a residence permit in Paraguay. It is the main document used for the recognition of individuals and is essential both for legal purposes and for one’s working and economic life within the national borders.
One should not confuse the cédula with the carnet de admisión de extranjero, which is the residence card granted to foreigners who obtain residence in Paraguay. Both documents are important but have very different functions. The residence card serves to prove that a person has permission to reside in Paraguay, while the identity card allows access to economic life and personal recognition.
If you need help to obtain or renew your cédula, feel free to contact us.
How to Obtain the Cédula in Paraguay
To obtain the identity card, one must go to the Departamento de Identificaciones of the Paraguayan police, located at Campos Cervera 6162 in Asunción. Foreign citizens must present the following documents:
- Certificate of temporary or permanent residence
- Notarized copy by a Paraguayan notary of the carnet de admisión de extranjero
- Original and notarized copy by a Paraguayan notary of the passport
- Original and notarized copy by a Paraguayan notary of the birth certificate issued and apostilled in the applicant’s country of origin
- Original and notarized copy by a Paraguayan notary of the criminal record certificate issued and apostilled in the applicant’s country of origin (or from the country where they have resided in the last 3 years)
- Certificado de vida y residencia (“life and residency certificate”), the document needed as proof of address obtained from the Paraguayan national police
- International criminal record certificate issued by Interpol
- National criminal record certificate issued by the Informatics Department of the Paraguayan police
- Carnet de Registro de Extranjeros issued by the Paraguayan police
The police officer will check all these documents. If everything is in order, the applicant will be invited to complete the next step: taking a photo for the identity card and digitally signing their identity card.
How Long Does It Take to Receive the Cédula?
The identity card is not received immediately when the request is made. The waiting time varies: if the request is made with professional help, it usually takes 7-14 days to receive the document. If the request is made independently, the waiting time can be up to 6 months.
Starting in early 2024, those who obtain permanent residence through investment can receive the identity card in just one day after the request.
After the changes that occurred at the end of September 2024, all procedures for obtaining an identity card must now be completed only after obtaining the residency card. It is no longer possible to present the residence card at a later time and leave the task of retrieving the cédula to an external agent. This change has also meant that the complete process for obtaining both the residence card and the identity card in Paraguay now requires two trips instead of one.
Renewing the Cédula and in Case of Loss
When it is time to renew the identity card, it is sufficient to present the residence card along with the expiring identity card to renew the document. In case of loss, one must file a report with the national police; once the document formalizing the report is received, it is sufficient to present it to the Departamento de Identificaciones to receive the new identity card.
Uses of the Paraguayan Cédula
The Paraguayan identity card is essential for:
- Opening a Paraguayan bank account
- Obtaining the RUC and being able to file tax returns
- Receiving invoices in one’s name
- Obtaining a fiscal residence certificate
- Proving the change of residence to the country of origin
- Applying for a Paraguayan driver’s license
- Being a legal representative of a company based in Paraguay
- Converting temporary residence to permanent residence
Contrary to what some believe, the Paraguayan identity card is not valid for guaranteeing the right of entry without a passport to other MERCOSUR countries. This is true only for people who are citizens of MERCOSUR, and the nationality of the holder is indicated on the identity card. A Paraguayan citizen can enter Brazil using only their cédula, but a U.S. or German citizen will still need to show their passport. Furthermore, citizens of non-MERCOSUR countries do not obtain any type of visa extension or possible stay in other MERCOSUR countries by presenting their Paraguayan identity card at the border.