Types of Background Checks Needed

1. Home Country Background Check: If you lived in your home country within the last 3 years, get a police or criminal record certificate from the national or federal authority.

2. Foreign Residency Background Check: Lived in another country for 3+ years? You’ll need a background check from that country.

3. Interpol Certificate: Mandatory for all applicants aged 14 and older.

4. Paraguayan National Police Certificate: Issued by the Department of Informatics of the Paraguayan National Police.

5. Judicial Background Check: For residents in Paraguay over 3 years, an affidavit ("Información Sumaria de Testigos") and a judiciary-issued background check are needed.

How to Obtain Background Checks

1. Home Country or Foreign Residency Background Check

• Where: National or federal police department of your country.

• Steps:

  • Request a background check following local procedures.

  • Legalize or apostille the document in the issuing country.

  • If not in Spanish, translate it through a certified Paraguayan translator.

2. INTERPOL Certificate

• Where: INTERPOL Paraguay Office.

• Steps:

  • Visit the office with your passport or residency documents.

  • Submit the application forms and pay the fee.

  • Wait for processing (typically a few days).

3. Paraguayan National Police Background Check

• Where: Department of Informatics of the Paraguayan National Police.

• Steps:

  • Go to the department with your passport or cédula.

  • Submit your application.

  • Receive your certificate within a few days.

4. Judicial Background Check (For Residents Over 3 Years)

• Where: Paraguayan Judiciary Offices.

• Steps:

  • Provide witness testimony to confirm your residency.

  • Submit your request to the judiciary.

  • Receive your certificate.

Key Legalization & Translation Requirements

• Apostille or Legalization: Foreign documents must be apostilled (for Hague Convention countries) or legalized through the Paraguayan consulate.

• Certified Translation: Non-Spanish documents must be translated by a Paraguayan-registered public translator. Read more about translations here.

Final Checklist for Your Residency Application

✅ Home country or foreign residency background check

✅ INTERPOL Certificate (for applicants 14+ years old)

✅ Paraguayan National Police Certificate

✅ Judicial Background Check (if applicable)

✅ Apostille or consular legalization for foreign documents

✅ Certified Spanish translation of foreign documents

By preparing all your documents correctly, you’ll avoid unnecessary delays and stay on track for your residency approval. Need assistance? Our expert team can help with document processing and legal translations — reach out today!