Frequently asked questions
Answers to the most common questions about notary services in Paraguay. Each one has its own page with the full explanation.
What does a notary public do in Paraguay?
A notary public (escribana pública) is a legal professional with public faith (fe pública): what she drafts and certifies has full legal force. She prepares deeds, certifies signatures and copies, and records facts in notarial records. Paraguay follows the Latin notary system, like Spain, Argentina or Brazil: the notary advises the parties and answers for the legality of the act.
How much does a notary service cost?
It depends on the type of act and, for sales or mortgages, on the value of the property. Government fees and taxes, paid to the State, are added to the notary's fees. Before we begin, we send you a written quote.
What do I need to buy a house or land in Paraguay?
You need the ID card (cédula) or passport of each party, the title deed, and the certificates the notary requests from the Public Registry (Registros Públicos) and the municipality to confirm that the property has no debts, court liens (embargos) or mortgages. With that, the deed is signed and then registered in the buyer's name.
Can a foreigner buy property in Paraguay?
Yes, following the same steps as a Paraguayan. The exception is rural property within the 50 km border security zone, which Law 2532/05 does not allow citizens of neighboring countries to acquire.
Which parts of the residency process in Paraguay go through a notary?
Mainly the certified copies of documents, such as your passport, that Paraguay's immigration office (Dirección General de Migraciones) asks for. Also the power of attorney, if someone else handles the process for you, and buying property or setting up a company, if you are going to invest in Paraguay.
Can I grant a power of attorney from abroad?
Yes. You sign it before a notary or at the Paraguayan consulate where you are. If you sign before a notary, it must be apostilled to be valid in Paraguay. If it is not in Spanish, it is translated by a public translator. For some uses, such as selling property, it is then recorded (protocolizado) at a Paraguayan notary's office.
What is the difference between a general and a special power of attorney?
A general power of attorney is for administration: collecting, paying, handling procedures or representing someone before government offices. For major acts, such as selling or mortgaging property, the law requires a special power of attorney, which names the act and, in general, the asset.
What is a certified copy?
A photocopy that the notary compares with the original and certifies as a true copy. Banks, universities and Paraguay's immigration office (Migraciones) ask for them. You need to bring the original document.
What is a notarial record of facts (acta de constatación)?
It is a document in which the notary records a fact she sees or hears: the condition of a property, the handover of keys, the content of a website or a chat. It serves as evidence backed by public faith (fe pública), for example in court.
What does it mean to protocolize a document?
It means incorporating a document into the notary's protocol (protocolo), the register where she keeps her deeds. The document is then preserved, gets a legally certain date (fecha cierta), and copies with the force of a deed can be requested. It is used for powers of attorney from abroad, meeting minutes or private contracts.
Do I need a notary for a lease agreement?
No, it is not mandatory: a lease can be signed as a private contract. But certifying the signatures before a notary proves who signed and on what date, and avoids disputes if you later need to claim payment or the return of the property.
How do you set up a company in Paraguay?
A corporation (S.A.) or a limited liability company (S.R.L.) is formed by public deed before a notary, with the bylaws and the partners' details. It is then registered with the Public Registry (Registros Públicos), the tax ID (RUC) is obtained and the ultimate beneficial owners are registered. The partners can be foreigners.
How long does a deed take?
The signing itself takes one appointment. What takes longest are the prior certificates and the registration with the Public Registry (Registros Públicos), which depend on each office. When we send you the quote, we give you an estimated timeframe.