The award was first established in 1865 and can be given to any person or organization that has contributed in some way to the benefit of Paraguay.

The President of the Republic of Paraguay holds as a lifetime honour (unless removed by impeachment) the Grand Cross of the Order, known as Presidential Collar (or Cordon) of Marshal López.

[1] The National Order of Merit is given to a person or an organization who has contributed to the benefit of Paraguay in various fields of endeavor.

[2] The medal was designed as a five-pointed star with the words "honor et gloria" on the front and "premium meriti" on the reverse.

[3] The National Order of Merit was established on April 8, 1865 by Francisco Solano López.