Paraguay Process Server

Overview

Process Server in Paraguay: How Service of Process Works

Paraguay is one of the newest parties to the Hague Service Convention, acceding on June 23, 2023, with entry into force on January 1, 2024. Paraguay's declarations touch Articles 5, 6, 8, and 10, generally directing requests through the formal Central Authority. Because this accession is so recent, established Central Authority practice and processing timelines are still developing; litigants should confirm current requirements directly and build extra time into their case timeline. Documents are translated into Spanish for formal service.

Who serves process

Who Can Serve Legal Documents in Paraguay

Paraguay is a civil-law country. The Hague Service Convention has been in force for Paraguay since January 1, 2024. The Central Authority is the Department of International Legal Cooperation and Exhortations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Asunción.

Paraguay objects to every Article 10 method, so the Central Authority is the only Hague route. Documents won't be accepted without an official Spanish translation. The Inter-American Convention with the U.S. also remains available.

Most papers we serve in Paraguay, whether in Asunción or the regions, are a statement of claim with a summons to appear, followed by court orders, injunctions and judgment notices. Defendants may be anywhere from Asunción to Northern & Chaco Paraguay, and we cover the whole country.

Treaties

Hague Service Convention and Paraguay

Paraguay is a party to the Hague Service Convention, so documents can be sent to its Central Authority, which arranges service and returns a Certificate of Service. Paraguay has made a declaration on Article 10, which limits service by post or by private agents, so we confirm which methods are open before choosing one.

Paraguay is also a party to the Hague Evidence Convention, so witness testimony and documents can be requested with a Letter of Request. Paraguay and the United States are both parties to the Inter-American Convention on Letters Rogatory and its Additional Protocol, which offers another formal route.