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Paraguayan citizenship: naturalization after 3 years of permanent residency
Short answer
A foreigner can ask the Corte Suprema de Justicia for Paraguayan nationality after 3 years of permanent residency, counted from the resolution that granted it. The Constitution also requires legal age, the practice of a profession, trade, science, art or industry in the country, and good conduct. The request is filed in person with a lawyer, includes a written knowledge exam and carries a court fee of ₲43,051 (about 7 USD). Neither the Constitution nor the Court's list of documents provides a route by investment.
The 4 requirements of the Constitution
Article 148 of the Constitution, read on October 6, 2026. It names no route by investment, and the Court's list of documents has none either.
- Be of legal age.
- Have at least 3 years of residency in the country. The Court counts 3 years of permanent residency from the date of the resolution that granted it.
- Practice a profession, trade, science, art or industry in Paraguay.
- Show good conduct, as the law defines it.
The steps
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Reach 3 years of permanent residency
The count starts on the date of the resolution granting permanent residency, proven by the Certificado de Radicación from Migraciones. Our permanent residency guide covers that stage.
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Hire a lawyer
The written request is filed under a lawyer's sponsorship, or by a lawyer holding a special power of attorney. It gives a procedural address in Asunción and states your real address.
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Pass the knowledge exam
A written test on the history, geography and civics of Paraguay, marked out of 30, with 21 points needed to pass. In a note of March 22, 2022, the Court called it the first requirement of naturalization, under its Acordada 464/2007. Ask its Secretaría when you sit it.
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Assemble the file
The Court accepts originals or certified copies only. Any document in another language must be translated by a translator registered with the Court.
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Pay the court fee
The fee is ₲43,051. You get it calculated at the Ingresos Judiciales office of your judicial district or on pj.gov.py/ingresos, then pay at an authorized bank or payment point. A counter payment adds a commission of up to ₲4,400, home banking adds none.
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File in person
You hand in the request yourself at the Corte Suprema de Justicia in Asunción, since you sign a sworn statement issued by its Secretaría Judicial II.
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Take the oath
The president of the Court takes your oath and hands you the Carta de Naturalización, the document that proves your Paraguayan nationality. On April 10, 2026, 8 new citizens took it.
The Court's page gives no processing time.
The documents the Court asks for
List published by the Corte Suprema de Justicia, read on October 6, 2026.
- A postcard-size profile photo (15 cm x 10 cm).
- A certified copy of your Paraguayan cédula.
- A certified copy of every page of your passport, unstamped pages included.
- A certified copy of your birth certificate, legalized or apostilled.
- A certified copy of your permanent residence card and the Certificado de Radicación, both issued by Migraciones.
- A police record from Identificaciones and a criminal record certificate from the Poder Judicial.
- A certified copy of the good conduct or criminal record certificate from your country of origin, legalized or apostilled.
- Proof of your occupation. An employee brings a work certificate showing the company's IPS registration number and RUC; a merchant, the patente comercial, the RUC and 2 or more business references; a student, a study certificate; a professional, the qualifying degree.
- A curriculum vitae.
After the Carta de Naturalización
Pages of the Policía Nacional and text of the regulation read on October 6, 2026. Dollar amounts use the Banco Central del Paraguay reference rate of September 22, 2026 (₲5,935 to 1 USD).
- Cédula. The Policía Nacional issues it on an official letter from the Court, with copies of the resolution and of the Carta de Naturalización certified by the Court's secretary, and a copy of your document of origin. It publishes a fee of ₲8,500 and delivery in 15 business days.
- Passport. It is valid for 5 years and requires a valid original cédula and a tax compliance certificate, or a certificate of not being a taxpayer, downloaded from Marangatu. The latest fee the Policía Nacional publishes is ₲240,000 (about 40 USD), in a notice of September 2022.
- Citizenship. Under article 152 of the Constitution, a naturalized Paraguayan becomes a citizen 2 years after obtaining nationality.
- Schengen area. Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 lists Paraguay among the countries whose nationals need no visa for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Check the rule in force before you travel.
Your other nationality
Article 149 of the Constitution admits multiple nationality through an international treaty with reciprocity between the 2 states. Before filing, ask your lawyer and your consulate whether such a treaty covers your nationality, since the Court's page lists none.
Under article 150, a naturalized Paraguayan loses nationality through an unjustified absence from the country of more than 3 years, declared by a court, or by voluntarily acquiring another nationality.