Paraguay launches free marriage initiative to increase legal unions

Paraguay is implementing the “Paraguay se Casa” (Paraguay Marries) initiative to facilitate free civil marriages and reduce bureaucratic hurdles. The campaign, titled “Paraguay heiratet. Aus Liebe vereint, durch das Gesetz geschützt,” aims to provide legal security to couples by removing costs associated with formalizing their unions.

In the Itapúa department, the Civil Registry is accepting applications until October 31. The program is open to new couples as well as those who have lived together for 20 or 30 years and have children but have not yet formalized their relationship under the law. Participants will receive their marriage certificates and family books free of charge.

According to data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) and the Civil Registry, Paraguay recorded 17,357 marriages in 2024, an increase of 469 compared to the previous year. During the same period, divorces exceeded 2,000 cases. The initiative involves cooperation between public institutions and social organizations to strengthen families and expand access to legal marriage rights nationwide.