Category: Records and procedures
Notary public (escribano público)
A legal professional with public authority empowered to authenticate signatures, attest legal acts, and execute public deeds in Paraguay.
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In Paraguay, the escribano público is the equivalent of a notary public elsewhere. Indispensable in every real-estate transaction: drafts the public deed, verifies parties' identity and contractual capacity, requests the matrícula and cadastral certificates, and finally registers the deed. Fees are regulated but typically 1%–1.5% of property price plus expenses. The buyer can choose their trusted escribano ("escribano del comprador") — a recommended practice since the notary, despite formally being impartial, primarily protects the interests of whoever hires them.
Example
On a USD 100,000 purchase, the buyer appoints their own escribana. She finds the seller has an active general inhibition against disposing of assets, halts the signing, and requires it lifted first. Fees: ≈ USD 1,000–1,500 plus charges — the check she ran was worth several times that.
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Related terms
Public deed (escritura pública)
A formal document authorized by a notary public that records the sale, gift, or transfer of real estate and perfects the transmission of ownership.
Boleto de compraventa (preliminary sale agreement)
A preliminary sale contract signed between buyer and seller before the public deed, setting price, conditions, and deadline for executing the deed.
Real-estate commission
Fees charged by the brokerage or agent who facilitates a sale or rental — typically 5% of the sale price, or one month's rent for rentals.