Winter break in Paraguay begins on July 13, and many families planning international trips with children and adolescents need to be aware of the required documentation to avoid issues at the border. Judicial authorization is necessary when a minor travels without both parents.
The process is free, can be completed on the same day, and must be done in person at the justice of the peace office in the locality where the child resides. The person applying should bring the child's birth certificate and the parents' identity documents. In all cases, original documents and their respective photocopies must be presented. If the minor will travel with an adult third party, a copy of that companion's identity card must also be included.
When one parent, or the only parent who has legally acknowledged the minor, cannot appear in person, that parent must authorize the trip through a legalized public instrument or appear before the competent justice of the peace by telematic means, as provided by Supreme Court of Justice Ruling No. 1,654/2022.
After obtaining the authorization signed by the judge, the document needs to be legalized. In the capital, judicial legalization is done by the General Secretariat of the Supreme Court of Justice, located in the Palace of Justice. In some localities of the Central Department, the justice of the peace offices already issue the document with a QR code that replaces the digital signature, eliminating this step at the Court.
The final step is legalization at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Asunción, which costs G. 58,550. Depending on the destination country, an apostille of the document may also be necessary, at a cost of G. 215,500. Public service hours at the ministry are Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.