How to obtain a certificate of no criminal record (Certificado de Antecedentes de INTERPOL) in Paraguay in 2025

A certificate of no criminal record is an official document confirming that the applicant has no criminal convictions. In Paraguay it is issued by the National Police through the relevant units - the Identification Department and the Interpol office. The certificate is frequently required for employment, admission to educational institutions, and for visa and other paperwork.

Which authorities issue the Certificado de Antecedentes de INTERPOL

Paraguay's National Police (Policía Nacional) is authorised to issue identity documents, passports and criminal-record certificates. The certificates themselves are handled by two units:

• The Identification Department of the Policía Nacional (Departamento de Identificaciones) issues the Certificado de Antecedentes Policiales for Paraguayan citizens. Its head office is in Asunción, with regional branches in the capital and across the country's departments. A certificate obtained through this department confirms that there are no criminal records in Paraguay's police databases.
• The Interpol office of the Policía Nacional (Departamento de Interpol) processes requests for a criminal-record certificate that includes checks against international databases. It is most often used by foreigners living in Paraguay or applying for residency there, as well as by Paraguayan citizens who need an international certificate. The Interpol office is located in Asunción, and the document is commonly known as the Certificado de Antecedentes de Interpol. It is required, for example, in immigration procedures to confirm the absence of a criminal record both inside and outside Paraguay.

Foreign nationals residing in Paraguay usually need two certificates: one from the Interpol office (the international check) and another from the Identification Department (Certificado de Antecedentes para Extranjeros), confirming that the foreigner has no criminal record within Paraguay itself. Both are typically required when applying for residencia (residency) or for other official purposes.

How to obtain the Certificado de Antecedentes de INTERPOL

Interpol Paraguay processes requests to check an applicant's international and local criminal records. The steps below explain how to obtain the Certificado de Antecedentes de Interpol in Paraguay - relevant both for foreigners living in the country and for Paraguayan citizens who need the broader certificate.

Complete the Interpol request form

Visit the Interpol Department of the Policía Nacional in Asunción and obtain the application form (Formulario de Solicitud de Certificado de Antecedentes Interpol). Fill it in using block letters and sign it. If you run into any difficulty, staff at the office will help you complete it.

Prepare the required documents

Under the police's official requirements, a foreign applicant must provide:

• A notarised copy of the passport or national ID of their home country (the copy must be certified by a Paraguayan notary - an Escribanía Pública). MERCOSUR citizens may submit a copy of their national identity card; applicants of other nationalities must submit a copy of their passport.
• Two 3×4 cm photographs (colour, passport-style).
• A copy of the Paraguayan cédula (national ID), if the applicant holds one.
• A copy of the permanent residency card (Carnet de Radicación Permanente) in Paraguay, if applicable.
• If the request is submitted through a representative, a power of attorney or authorisation letter signed by the applicant and naming the representative must be attached.

Submit the documents at the Interpol office

Visit the Departamento de Interpol in Asunción in person, at Cnel. Gracia No. 468, corner of Tte. Rodi. Documents are accepted Monday to Friday, 7:00 to 17:00 (it is best to arrive well before closing time). Hand the completed form, photographs and document copies to the police officer on duty. You will be given a receipt confirming that your application was accepted - keep it, as you will need it to collect the finished certificate. Note: if you are outside Asunción, you can delegate the submission to a trusted person (with a notarised power of attorney), or ask at your local police station - they may accept your application and forward it to the central office.

Pay the applicable fee

The Certificado de Antecedentes de Interpol costs approximately 112,000 Gs. Payment is generally made on site when you submit your documents - at the Interpol office's cashier or via the payment details provided. Confirm the payment method with the officer when you file your application.

Wait for the check and issuance

Processing takes roughly 24 to 48 hours, during which Interpol specialists run the check against their databases. Once the document is ready you can go to collect it. The certificate is usually issued the next working day, or the day after submission, depending on workload.

Collect the certificate of no criminal record

Pick up the finished certificate in person at the Interpol office, presenting the receipt (issued at submission) and your ID. The completed document is an official letter on Policía Nacional letterhead bearing an embossed seal, confirming the absence of a criminal record. Please note: if you have lost your receipt, the document will be released only to the applicant in person, upon presentation of a report to the police about the lost receipt. If a proxy collects the certificate, they must hold a notarised power of attorney from the applicant, along with a document confirming special circumstances (for example, a medical certificate showing the applicant is unable to appear in person).

Certificado de Antecedentes para Extranjeros

Foreigners living in Paraguay may additionally need the Certificado de Antecedentes para Extranjeros - a certificate from Paraguay's police databases confirming they have no offences on record within the country. It is issued by the Policía Nacional, usually through the Identification Department's offices. To apply, you must provide a notarised copy of your passport (or MERCOSUR cédula) and one photograph; the fee is 63,000 Gs. This certificate is issued immediately, on the same day. It is normally required for residency applications alongside the Interpol certificate.

Always rely on verified information and official instructions when preparing your documents.

Why the INTERPOL certificate matters for permanent residence

Under Migration Law No. 6984/2022, Paraguayan Migraciones requires police and court background certificates from Paraguay and an INTERPOL certificate for permanent residence. The certificate is therefore ordered in the last 90 days of temporary residence, when applying for permanent status, so that it is recent on the filing date.

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