DOCUMENT AUTHENTICATION FOR COSTA RICA
Apostille Services for Costa Rica
Applying for residency, pensionado, rentista, or investor status in Costa Rica? Buying property, registering a marriage, or handling an estate there? Any U.S. document used in Costa Rica must carry an apostille first. We prepare, submit, and return your documents so Costa Rican authorities accept them the first time.
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Costa Rica apostille
Why Costa Rica Requires an Apostille
Costa Rica joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 2011. Since then, a U.S. public document no longer needs embassy or consular legalization to be recognized there it only needs the correct apostille certificate from the issuing U.S. authority.
Inside Costa Rica, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores) is the office that reviews apostilled documents from member countries like the United States. Without the apostille attached, immigration officers, notaries (notarios), and civil registries are entitled to reject the paperwork.
Whether a state office or a federal agency issued your document determines who has to apostille it first we cover that distinction below.
Documents We Regularly Apostille for Costa Rica
Costa Rican immigration and civil authorities are strict about document validity windows and translation requirements. Here’s what we handle most often.
The most requested document for residency categories. Costa Rica typically requires it to be apostilled and used within 90 days of issuance.
Needed for residency applications and civil registration. Requires a certified copy from the issuing state or county first.
Common for property purchases and legal representation while you remain outside Costa Rica.
For professional licensing or credential recognition with Costa Rican institutions.
Often requested for marriage registration or certain residency applications.
Articles of incorporation and financial records for investor (Inversionista) residency or business registration.
State Documents
Birth certificates, marriage certificates, and other vital records are apostilled by the Secretary of State in the state where the document was issued. A certified copy from the state or county is required before we can submit it.
Federal Documents
FBI background checks and other federal paperwork are authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. not by a state office. We handle this submission for you directly.
How the Process Works
Four steps from the document in your hand to a document that Costa Rica will accept.
Send Us Your Document
Email or upload a copy so we can confirm exactly what’s required for that document type and Costa Rica’s requirements.
We Prepare It
We confirm whether notarization or a certified copy is needed and get the document ready to submit.
We Submit for Apostille
Your document goes to the correct Secretary of State or U.S. Department of State office for authentication.
You Receive It, Ready to Use
We ship the completed apostille back to you, domestically or internationally, ready for submission in Costa Rica.
Pricing for Costa Rica Apostille Services
Ready to Start Your Costa Rica Apostille?
Send us your document, and we’ll tell you exactly what’s needed, what it costs, and how long it will take. You can also email your document or questions to Info@apostilleauthentications.com for personalized assistance.
Add Your Heading Text Here
Yes. Costa Rica has been a member of the Hague Apostille Convention since 2011, so any U.S. public document must carry an apostille before Costa Rica’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, immigration office, or civil registry will accept it.
Costa Rican immigration authorities generally require the FBI background check to be issued and apostilled within about 90 days of when you submit your residency application, though this can vary by category it’s worth confirming with your specific application.
Yes, in most cases. Costa Rican immigration typically requires documents including the apostille page itself to be translated into Spanish by a certified translator. Our $360 FBI package already includes certified translation.
Yes — vital records like birth, marriage, and death certificates must start as a certified copy from the state or county office that issued them. We can advise on how to request one if you don’t already have it.
Most long-term categories including Pensionado, Rentista, Inversionista, and standard temporary or permanent residency require it. Short tourist stays generally don’t. We recommend confirming current requirements with the Costa Rican consulate handling your case.