National Cadastre Service

Part I: Institutional Mandate and Organizational Structure

This section establishes the fundamental identity of the National Cadastre Service (SNC), defining its purpose, legal authority and its position within the Paraguayan state apparatus. It provides the essential context needed to understand its operational functions and strategic importance.

1.1 The Role and Mission of the National Cadastre Service (SNC)

The National Cadastre Service (SNC) is the state institution of the Republic of Paraguay in charge of managing, maintaining and updating the inventory of all real estate in the country. Its main mission is to provide the nation with a national cadastre that is reliable, up-to-date and effective, serving as a centralized and authoritative database on the physical, legal and economic characteristics of all parcels of land.  

Institutionally, the SNC is a direct dependency of the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF). It is essential to note that, due to a recent government restructuring, much of the historical legal and administrative documentation, as well as some email addresses still in use, refer to its previous agency, the Ministry of Finance (MH). This transition is a crucial detail for professionals who interact with the institution, as it explains the discrepancies in the official nomenclature found in various documents and platforms.  

The strategic vision of the SNC is eloquently encapsulated in its motto: "Cadastro, Tool for National Development." This statement emphasizes that the institution's function transcends that of a simple records archive. It is positioned as an active and essential instrument for national planning, the formulation of fiscal policies, legal certainty and, ultimately, the sustainable economic development of the country. By providing accurate and reliable land data, the SNC facilitates fairer tax administration, supports infrastructure planning, and strengthens land tenure security, a pillar for investment and social stability.  

1.2 Key Functions and Legal Competencies

The powers of the National Cadastre Service are defined by a legal framework that assigns it a series of critical functions for the administration of the national territory. In accordance with the decrees that govern its operation, its main responsibilities include the definition of the technical rules for the formation and updating of the territorial cadastre and the establishment of a standardized methodology for real estate appraisal. In addition, it has the mandate to maintain and conserve all cadastral information, as well as to provide technical cooperation to other competent authorities that require it, consolidating itself as the technical epicenter in real estate matters in the country.  

One of its most determining functions is its fiscal role. The SNC is the entity responsible for establishing the "tax valuation" of properties. This value serves as the tax base for calculating the real estate tax, a fundamental tax for municipal finances, as stipulated in Law No. 125/91, "Establishing the New Tax Regime." This function directly connects the technical and registration work of the SNC with the collection capacity of the State, directly impacting the income of local governments and the equity of the tax system.  

In the cartographic field, the SNC has the power to adopt the national cartographic system, which is based on the cartography prepared by the Directorate of the Military Geographic Service. This standardization ensures the coherence and compatibility of geospatial information at the national level, an essential requirement for territorial planning and the prevention of boundary conflicts.  

The internal structure of the institution was formally approved and detailed in Resolution M.H. No. 245 of 2018, which approves the Organization and Functions Manual (MOF). This document is the administrative roadmap of the SNC, establishing the hierarchy, responsibilities and interrelationships of its various organizational units, such as the Urban Cadastre Department, the Rural Cadastre Department and the Inspection Department, thus guaranteeing a clear operational framework for the fulfillment of its mandate.  

1.3 Contact and Operational Information

For professionals and citizens who need to interact with the National Cadastre Service, it is vital to have accurate and up-to-date contact information. The dispersion of contact data through different communications and platforms, together with the transition from the Ministry of Finance to the Ministry of Economy and Finance, can cause confusion. For example, the institution's general email uses the domain of the new ministry (@mef.gov.py), while emails for specific procedures, such as requesting hearings, can still reference the previous domain (@hacienda.gov.py). This situation shows a transition period and underlines the importance of going to the correct channel for each type of management. The following table consolidates the most relevant contact information to facilitate efficient communication.  

Table 1: Key Contact and Operational Information of the SNC

This consolidation not only offers a practical resource, but also illustrates the functional structure of the institution, allowing users to direct their questions directly to the relevant department, which can significantly speed up response times and resolution of procedures.

Part II: Comprehensive Guide to Cadastral Services and Procedures

This part functions as a practical, user-oriented guide to interacting with the CNS. It details the services offered, breaks down the complex documentary requirements for key procedures and provides a clear list of associated costs.

2.1 Navigating SNC In-Person and Online Services

The National Cadastre Service has developed a robust digital infrastructure to facilitate access to its services, centralized on its official web portal, www.catastro.gov.py. This portal is the main gateway for public interaction with the institution and offers a range of tools designed to streamline queries and procedures.  

Among the most notable online services are:

• File Tracking:This functionality allows users to monitor the status of their procedures in real time, providing transparency and predictability over the administrative process.  
• Cadastral Map:An interactive geospatial tool that allows the visualization of plots throughout the national territory. To use it, the interested party must enter the Department, the District and the unique identifier of the property, either the Register or the Cadastral Current Account. This service is essential for verifying the location and boundaries of properties.  
• Public Consultations:The portal offers several consultation modules that allow you to verify information on urban and rural properties, validate the authenticity of documents issued by the SNC and consult the registry of professionals authorized to carry out cadastral work.  

The pillar of the digital transformation of the SNC is theElectronic File System (SIEE). This platform is progressively becoming the exclusive channel for managing the most important procedures. Services such as the "Provision of Real Estate Data" and the "Tax Valuation Report" are already carried out exclusively through the SIEE, except in exceptional cases that require differentiated treatment. This system is the basis on which a completely digital cadastre is being built.  

2.2 Documentary Requirements for Key Cadastral Procedures

Successful interaction with the SNC depends on a thorough understanding and strict adherence to its documentary requirements. The analysis of the resolutions and procedural guides reveals an administrative process that requires a high degree of precision. The requirements are not limited to the type of document, but extend to its format (original or authenticated copy), the number of copies (for example, three originals of a plan) and detailed technical specifications (such as the delivery of georeferenced data in SHP format on a CD).  

This formal rigor suggests that one of the main causes of delays, observations and rejections of files for professionals in the sector does not lie in substantive disputes over property rights, but in administrative errors or omissions in the preparation of the documentation. The process leaves no room for improvisation; Each document must meet exact specifications. For example, in a property unification procedure, the omission of the digital file with the georeferenced data or the lack of page numbering of the documents are sufficient reasons for the return of the file, regardless of the validity of the property titles. Therefore, for professionals, the key to success lies in treating the preparation of the file with the same meticulousness as the legal analysis of the case.  

The following table summarizes the documentary requirements for some of the most common procedures, translating regulatory language into a practical checklist.

Table 2: Documentary Requirements for Main Cadastral Procedures

2.3 Structure of Fees and Tariffs

The costs associated with the services provided by the SNC are officially established in theSNC Resolution No. 202/22, which came into force on July 1, 2022. This resolution updated the tariff scale, justifying the adjustment based on the variation in salaries and minimum wages in the country. For professionals and users, knowing this cost structure is essential for the financial planning of any real estate transaction. The following table extracts and organizes the tariffs for the most requested services to provide a clear and accessible reference.  

Table 3: Tariffs for Main Cadastral Services (According to SNC Res. No. 202/22)

Part III: The Strategic Transformation of the Paraguayan Cadastre

This part analyzes the profound changes that are taking place in the SNC, which is moving from a traditional paper-based system to a modern, integrated and eminently digital institution. Examines the drivers, milestones, challenges, and legal underpinnings of this transformation.

3.1 The Path to Digitalization: Milestones and Challenges

The National Cadastre Service is immersed in an ambitious and sustained digital transformation process that seeks to completely modernize the provision of its services. This multi-year effort is governed by a clear mandate to migrate from manual and paper-based processes to a fully electronic ecosystem. The most significant and impactful milestone in this process is the announcement that, as ofJune 2, 2025, theCadastral Certification will be 100% digital. From that date, all requests for this essential document must be made exclusively through the Electronic File System (SIEE), putting an end to the receipt of procedures in physical format.  

This fundamental change is supported by a solid regulatory framework, mainly Resolution M.H. No. 207/2018, which formally authorizes the use of electronic signatures, digital signatures and electronic files in SNC administrative procedures. Added to this is the impetus of Law No. 6562/2020, which establishes a "zero paper" policy for public administration, seeking efficiency and sustainability. The declared objectives of this digitalization are clear and ambitious: increase the speed of procedures, with the goal of reducing the issuance of certificates to a period of 2 to 3 business days, and improve transparency, traceability and efficiency in the use of public resources.  

The digital transition is not an isolated event, but a sequence of planned milestones. The following chronological table illustrates the progression of this modernization.

Table 4: Chronology of Key Milestones in CNS Digitalization

However, this vigorous move towards full digitalization is not without challenges. The imposition of absolute dependence on technological infrastructure creates new vulnerabilities. The incident reported in March 2024, when the SNC was left without internet service and had to suspend the receipt of new digital procedures, is critical data. This event is not a simple anecdote, but a tangible demonstration of the fragility that can accompany an accelerated technological transformation. The mandatory digitalization policy (the cause) generates a critical vulnerability to infrastructure failures (the effect). For professionals in the sector, this has a direct implication: they must incorporate the possibility of technological frictions in their workflows. It is no longer possible to assume constant system availability, so it becomes prudent to manage customer expectations and include time buffers for potential technology-related delays, a risk factor that was non-existent in the paper era.  

3.2 Law No. 7,424: The Creation of a Unified Registry System (RUN)

The promulgation of theLaw No. 7,424/2024, which creates theUnified National Registry and Cadastral Systemand theNational Unified Registry (RUN), represents the most profound and structural reform in the history of the property registry in Paraguay. This legislation is not a simple modernization, but a paradigm shift that seeks to resolve historical problems of disarticulation between the physical and legal information of properties.  

The central objectives of RUN are transformative:  

• Systems Integration:Its fundamental purpose is to unify on a single platform the cadastral information (physical, location, surface and economic data, managed by the SNC) with the legal registry information (ownership of rights, liens, mortgages, managed by the General Directorate of Public Registries).
• Strengthening Legal Security:By creating a single source of truth, RUN is designed to effectively combat title overlap, eliminate data discrepancies between both institutions, and provide unprecedented legal certainty over real estate ownership.
• Administrative Simplification:The integration seeks to eliminate duplication of processes, reduce bureaucracy and drastically shorten waiting times for the conclusion of real estate transactions.
• Investment Promotion:By generating a more transparent, secure and efficient registry environment, it is expected to encourage investment in strategic sectors such as real estate and agriculture.

The implementation of the RUN imposes an unprecedented dynamic of inter-institutional cooperation. Historically, the SNC (an Executive Branch entity) and the General Directorate of Public Records (overseen by the Judiciary) have operated independently, a separation that has been a chronic source of data conflicts and inefficiencies. Law No. 7,424 acts as a "mechanism of force", forcing these two powerful institutions into deep technical and administrative integration. The news about authorities of the Supreme Court of Justice socializing the law and carrying out inspection visits to the headquarters of the SNC are not merely ceremonial acts. They are the physical manifestation of the complex practical coordination required to merge two institutional cultures, two databases, and two distinct technological systems. The success of this historic reform will depend not only on the technology implemented, but on the ability to overcome decades of institutional inertia and forge a new and solid collaborative relationship between the Executive Branch and the Judicial Branch, which constitutes a political and administrative challenge of the first order.  

3.3 Interinstitutional Cooperation and Capacity Building

Aware that the quality of the national cadastre depends on the accuracy of the data at the local level, the SNC has implemented a proactive strategy of inter-institutional cooperation. A pillar of this strategy is the project "Strengthening the Cadastral Capacities of Municipalities". Through this program, the SNC signs agreements with municipal governments to exchange technical information, offer training, and support local efforts to modernize their own cadastres. This collaborative approach seeks to improve property tax collection at the local level, which in turn strengthens municipal finances and ensures more accurate data flow to the national system.  

In addition to cooperation with the public sector, the SNC has cultivated strategic alliances with key private and professional sector actors. It maintains a close relationship with the College of Notaries of Paraguay, a collaboration so consolidated that it has been planned to set up an office for the exclusive use of notaries within the Cadastre facilities. Likewise, it has signed agreements with private sector organizations such as the Paraguayan Chamber of Real Estate Developers (CAPADEI) and the Paraguayan Chamber of Land Development and Real Estate Companies (CAPELI), with the aim of collaborating in the modernization of facilities and the provision of technology. This strategy of involving the main users of the system seeks to ensure successful adoption of the reforms and align the modernization processes with the real needs of the market.  

In the legal field and defense of the interests of the State, the SNC also maintains formal cooperation agreements. A notable example is the agreement with the Attorney General's Office (PGR), designed to facilitate the procedures linked to the recovery and regularization of properties owned by the Paraguayan State in judicial and extrajudicial instances. This collaboration demonstrates the role of the SNC as an indispensable technical ally for other state institutions in the protection of public assets.  

Part IV: Analysis, Perspectives and Future Projection

This final part synthesizes the preceding information, offering an expert assessment of the trajectory of the CNS and providing forward-looking recommendations for actors navigating this evolving landscape.

4.1 Synthesis of the Modernization Trajectory

Paraguay's National Cadastre Service is undergoing a fundamental transformation, evolving from a traditional and passive administrative body into a dynamic institution, driven by technology and positioned as a central axis for the country's legal security and economic development. This modernization process is not gradual, but is being accelerated by the confluence of two disruptive forces: the imminent deadline of June 2, 2025 for the total digitization of cadastral certification and the complex implementation of the National Unified Registry (RUN) mandated by Law No. 7,424.

These two pillars of reform are completely redefining the way professionals and citizens interact with the property registry. The transition to the SIEE as an exclusive platform and the future integration with legal registries through the RUN promise significant benefits in terms of efficiency, transparency and security. However, this ambitious agenda also presents considerable operational and institutional challenges. Total dependence on digital infrastructure introduces new vulnerabilities, as evidenced by service interruptions, while the success of the RUN depends on unprecedented collaboration between different branches of government. The SNC is, therefore, at a critical turning point, where the potential of historic modernization is contrasted with the risks inherent in a transformation of such magnitude and speed.

4.2 Recommendations for the Actors Involved

Faced with this scenario of profound and accelerated change, the different actors that interact with the cadastral and registration system must adopt proactive strategies to adapt and mitigate risks.

For Legal and Real Estate Professionals (Lawyers, Notaries, Real Estate Agents):

• Adopt Digital Fluency Urgently:It is imperative not to wait until the last minute. Training should be actively sought, registration in the Electronic File System (SIEE) and familiarization with its operation must be achieved well in advance of the June 2025 deadline. Failure to prepare could result in significant disruption to business operations.
• Anticipate Systemic Friction and Manage Expectations:It is crucial to recognize that a system undergoing transformation can experience instability. It is recommended to incorporate additional time margins into project schedules and transparently communicate to clients the possibility of delays due to digital service interruptions or adjustments related to the implementation of new platforms.
• Master the Technical and Formal Requirements:Given the rigor of the SNC, it is essential to pay meticulous attention to documentary requirements, including digital file formats (e.g. SHP), correct authentication of copies, and file numbering. Investing time in impeccable preparation of documentation will drastically minimize rejection rates and speed up procedures.

For Real Estate Investors and Developers:

• Closely Monitor RUN Implementation:Progress in the implementation of the National Unified Registry is a key indicator of the health and maturity of the Paraguayan real estate market. A successful deployment of the RUN will significantly reduce the legal risk associated with property transactions, especially with regard to title conflicts and overlays. Its progress should be a factor to consider in any investment risk analysis.
• Leverage Increasing Transparency for Due Diligence:The digitization and future unification of cadastral and registry data will offer unprecedented access to consolidated and reliable information. Investors should use these new tools to carry out more exhaustive and precise due diligence processes, validating the physical, fiscal and legal status of potential assets with greater certainty.

Links of interest:

• Strategic Guide for Investors on the National Cadastre and the Property Registration System
• Consultation for Urban Property
• Cadastral map
• File inquiries