Paraguay Cédula: Complete Guide for Foreign Residents
Learn what the Paraguayan cédula is, who can obtain it, which documents foreign residents need, how the application works, how long issuance may take and how the card differs from residency and an RUC.
Last reviewed: July 2026. Requirements and processing times can change.
Paraguay cédula at a glance
The cédula de identidad civil is Paraguay’s national identity card. A foreigner normally applies after receiving temporary or permanent residence from the Dirección Nacional de Migraciones.
Local identity document
It gives the holder a Paraguayan identity number used across public and private services.
Issued by the Police
The Department of Identifications of the Paraguayan National Police processes and issues the card.
Not the residence permit
The residence card proves immigration status. The cédula is the local civil identity card.
What is the Paraguayan cédula?
The Paraguayan cédula is the main civil identity document used inside the country.
It identifies the holder by a unique number and is commonly requested when opening accounts, signing contracts, purchasing services, registering with institutions or accessing digital government systems.
Foreign residents can receive a Paraguayan cédula without becoming Paraguayan citizens. The card does not change the holder’s nationality and is not a Paraguayan passport.
It is also distinct from the immigration residence card issued by Migraciones. Most foreign residents carry both documents because they prove different things.
Who can obtain a Paraguay cédula?
Temporary residents
Foreigners with approved temporary residence may apply under the ordinary resident procedure.
Permanent residents
Foreigners with permanent residence may apply and generally receive a longer-validity identity card.
Special categories
Spouses and children of Paraguayans, naturalised persons and other categories may follow different documentary rules.
The Department of Identifications may interview an applicant or request additional documents, especially where the person does not speak an official language, where a civil registration is recent or where the case presents unusual family or identity circumstances.
Documents required for a first Paraguayan cédula
The following reflects the official first-issue checklist for foreigners holding temporary or permanent residence. The authority may ask for more.
| Document | Typical form | Important note |
|---|---|---|
| Residence certificate | Original certificate of temporary or permanent residence | Issued by the immigration authority. |
| Residence card | Notarised copy | Temporary or permanent card, according to the approved status. |
| Valid identity document from the country of origin | Notarised copy | Additional foreign-affairs formalities may apply in some cases. |
| Birth certificate | Notarised copy of the apostilled or legalised document | Must be translated when not in Spanish, except where an official exception applies. |
| Civil-status evidence | Marriage, divorce or death certificate, where applicable | Foreign documents normally require apostille or legalisation. |
| Certificate of life and residence | Original | Issued by the local police station or competent Justice of the Peace. |
| Criminal record from the country of origin | Original, apostilled or legalised | Required for adults under the official checklist. |
| INTERPOL report | Original | Must include the required consultation with the country-of-origin branch. |
| Paraguayan police record for foreigners | Original | Issued by the relevant National Police department. |
| Foreign resident registration card | Notarised copy | Obtained through the applicable foreign-resident registration step. |
Translations
Documents not written in Spanish must generally be translated by a public translator registered with the Paraguayan Supreme Court. The current official checklist states an exception for Portuguese-language documents.
How to obtain a Paraguayan cédula step by step
Complete the residency process
Obtain approved temporary or permanent residence and the corresponding immigration documentation.
Prepare the cédula file
Collect the residence certificate, residence card, identity document, civil records, local residence certificate and police records.
Complete translations and notarised copies
Translate foreign-language documents where required and authenticate the copies through a Paraguayan notary.
Apply personally
Attend the Department of Identifications or the competent office for verification, data capture and filing.
Keep the application receipt
The receipt is required for collection. If it is lost or stolen, a police report may be necessary.
Collect the cédula
The official first-issue guidance states that cédulas for foreign residents may be collected only by the holder.
How much does a Paraguayan cédula cost and how long does it take?
The official 2026 page for a foreign resident’s first cédula lists a fee of Gs. 8,500 and an estimated delivery time of 60 working days.
The official renewal page lists the same fee and an estimated delivery time of 30 working days. These are administrative estimates, not private guarantees, and actual timing can be affected by document review, interviews, system availability and office workload.
What can you use a Paraguayan cédula for?
The cédula makes everyday identification much easier, but it does not force a private company to approve every application.
Banking
Apply for bank or fintech products, subject to compliance, income and source-of-funds checks.
Contracts
Sign leases, service contracts and other local agreements using a Paraguayan identity number.
Mobile and utilities
Register SIM cards and apply for household or commercial services.
Digital government
Create electronic identity access for supported Paraguay government services.
Health and education
Identify yourself when registering with institutions, insurers, clinics or educational providers.
Business procedures
Use the number in formal registrations, while obtaining an RUC separately where tax registration is required.
Cédula vs Paraguay residence card
| Point | Cédula | Residence card |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | National Police, Department of Identifications | Dirección Nacional de Migraciones |
| Main purpose | Civil identification in Paraguay | Proof of legal immigration status |
| When obtained | After the residence status is approved | At the end of the immigration approval process |
| Used for | Everyday identification, accounts, contracts and registrations | Immigration status, renewals and category changes |
| Does it prove citizenship? | No, not for a foreign resident | No |
Cédula vs RUC
The cédula is an identity document. The RUC is Paraguay’s tax registration number. A foreign resident may have a cédula without an RUC.
An RUC may be needed for professional activity, business operations, invoicing or other taxable activity. Obtaining one can create ongoing tax filing obligations, including periods with no movement.
Our dedicated Paraguay RUC guide will explain registration, obligations and the difference between an RUC and tax residence.
Renewing, replacing or collecting a cédula
Renewal for foreign residents
The current official renewal checklist includes:
- Expired cédula or police report if lost or stolen.
- Copy of the permanent residence card under the published renewal procedure.
- Certificate of life and residence.
- INTERPOL criminal-background report.
- Paraguayan police record.
- Notarised copy of the current foreign identity document.
Collection and lost receipt
Keep the original application receipt. For an electronic chip card, the official delivery rules state that only the holder may collect it. If the receipt is lost, a police report may be required.
Common mistakes when applying for a Paraguay cédula
Applying before residence approval
The ordinary foreign-resident cédula procedure depends on approved temporary or permanent residence.
Confusing the residence card and cédula
They are separate documents issued by different authorities.
Using unauthenticated copies
The official checklist requires notarised copies and original documents for verification.
Missing civil-status records
Marriage, divorce or widowhood must be documented where applicable.
Translating the wrong document
A translation should only be ordered after the source document and apostille are reviewed.
Losing the application receipt
The receipt is used for collection and a police report may be necessary if it disappears.
Expecting bank approval automatically
A cédula helps identification but does not replace compliance checks.
Ignoring residence expiry
The cédula does not remove the need to renew or change immigration status on time.
Paraguay cédula FAQ
Can a foreigner obtain a Paraguayan cédula?
Yes. Foreigners with approved temporary or permanent residence may apply under the applicable procedure.
Do I need residency before applying?
Under the ordinary foreign-resident route, yes. The first-issue checklist requires the residence certificate and residence card.
Is the cédula the same as the residence card?
No. The cédula is a civil identity card issued by the National Police. The residence card is issued by Migraciones and proves immigration status.
Does a cédula make me a Paraguayan citizen?
No. A foreign resident can hold a Paraguayan cédula while keeping foreign nationality and without becoming a citizen.
How much does the first cédula cost?
The official first-issue page reviewed in July 2026 lists a fee of Gs. 8,500.
How long does the first cédula take?
The official first-issue page lists 60 working days. Actual processing can vary.
Must I collect it personally?
The official first-issue guidance for foreign residents states that the cédula can be collected only by the holder.
Do my foreign documents need an apostille?
Foreign civil and criminal records generally require apostille or consular legalisation, depending on the issuing country.
Do documents need a Spanish translation?
Generally yes when not in Spanish. The current official first-issue checklist states an exception for Portuguese-language documents.
Can I open a bank account with a cédula?
You can apply, but each bank applies its own source-of-funds, income, address and compliance requirements.
Is the cédula the same as an RUC?
No. The cédula identifies the person. The RUC is a tax registration number.
What if I lose my cédula?
A police report is generally required for loss, theft or robbery before replacement or renewal procedures.
Can EasyParaguay coordinate the cédula process?
Yes. Cédula coordination is included in the broader residency workflow described in our service packages.
Continue your Paraguay residency research
Temporary Residency
Learn how to prepare, travel and file the residence application that normally comes before the cédula.
Residency Program
Read the complete overview of temporary and permanent residence, cédula, RUC, banking, tax and citizenship.
Services and pricing
Compare EasyParaguay Standard and Fast-Track, including the USD 300 online reservation.
Get residency and cédula support in one coordinated process
We review your documents before travel, organise the local residency steps in Asunción and coordinate the later cédula and RUC procedures.
Official sources and legal notice
- National Police — first cédula for foreigners
- National Police — foreign residents with temporary or permanent residence
- National Police — renewal for foreign residents
- Migraciones — temporary residency
This page provides general information and does not constitute personalised legal, immigration, financial or tax advice. Requirements, fees and administrative practice may change. Final decisions belong to the competent Paraguayan authorities.
