APOSTILLE FOR COSTA RICA
Apostille Services for Costa Rica
Retiring in Costa Rica, applying for residency, working remotely or buying property? We prepare and apostille your U.S. documents, time them so they are still current when you file, and send them ready for official translation in Costa Rica.
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COSTA RICA AT A GLANCE
Hague Convention member
Apostille in the U.S., official translation in Costa Rica.
- Residency and retirement
- FBI checks timed to your filing
- Marriage documents
- Property and corporations
How documents for Costa Rica work
Documents we prepare for Costa Rica
- FBI background checks for residency, with the federal apostille
- Birth certificates for applicants and dependents
- Marriage certificates for spouses applying together
- Pension, income and bank letters for pensionado, rentista and remote work applications
- Single status affidavits and divorce decrees for marriage in Costa Rica
- Powers of attorney for property purchases, corporations and legal matters
- Corporate documents for Costa Rican companies and banks
What Costa Rica usually requires
| Document | Where the apostille comes from | What else to plan for |
|---|---|---|
| FBI background check | U.S. Department of State | Must be current when filed; generally six months |
| Birth or marriage certificate | Secretary of the Commonwealth or the issuing state | Recently issued certified copy |
| Pension or income letter | Secretary of the Commonwealth, after notarization | Ask your attorney for the exact content |
| Power of attorney | Secretary of the Commonwealth, after notarization | Costa Rican attorneys often supply the text |
| Corporate documents | Secretary of the Commonwealth, Delaware or the issuing state | Recently issued certificates |
Requirements change and can differ by office, city and purpose. Always confirm the exact requirements with the office receiving your documents. We are glad to review the instructions you received.
Ready to get started?
Tell us what you need, and we will take care of every step.
Residency, retirement and remote work
How we handle it
- 1
Share the recipient's requirements
Send us the checklist or email you received from the ministry, consulate, employer, attorney or bank. We review it and confirm exactly what each document needs before any work begins.
- 2
We prepare each document
Certified copies, notarization by appointment anywhere in Greater Boston, or retrieval of records you do not yet have, such as Massachusetts vital records.
- 3
Certification from the right offices
Massachusetts documents go to the Secretary of the Commonwealth, documents from other states to the issuing state, and federal documents, such as FBI background checks, to the U.S. Department of State.
- 4
Translation coordination and delivery
Costa Rica requires an official translator appointed by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, so we ship the apostilled originals to your attorney or translator in Costa Rica with tracking.
Good to know
Official translation
Translations for Costa Rican institutions are prepared by an official translator in Costa Rica. A U.S. certified translation is usually not accepted in its place.
Marriage in Costa Rica
Couples typically need apostilled birth certificates, and evidence of single status or a divorce decree where applicable. See Getting Married Abroad.
Property and corporations
Property is often held through a Costa Rican corporation, which may require apostilled powers of attorney and corporate records. See Powers of Attorney.
Records from other states
Each record is apostilled by the state that issued it. We coordinate several states in one order. See Documents From Other States.
Common mistakes we help you avoid
- A state apostille or notarization on an FBI check. The FBI check requires the U.S. Department of State apostille.
- Documents expiring before filing. Certificates without their own expiration date are generally treated as valid for six months.
- A U.S. translation instead of an official one. Costa Rica requires an official translator appointed by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Older birth certificates. Many applicants are asked for a recently issued certified copy.
- Starting the FBI check last. The federal step takes the longest, so it should begin first.
Official sources
- Hague Conference: Apostille Convention status table
- Costa Rica Law 8142 on official translations
- Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth: apostilles and certifications
- U.S. Department of State: authenticating documents
Requirements change, and the receiving office always has the final word. We confirm current requirements with every quote.
Frequently asked questions
Does Costa Rica accept apostilles?
Yes. Costa Rica has been a member of the Hague Apostille Convention since December 14, 2011.
Who apostilles an FBI background check for Costa Rica?
The U.S. Department of State, because an FBI check is a federal document. A state apostille or a notarization is not sufficient.
How recent must my documents be?
Costa Rica's immigration authority generally treats a certificate without its own expiration date as valid for six months, so we time each document to your filing date.
Can you translate my documents into Spanish for Costa Rica?
Costa Rican institutions require an official translator appointed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, so translation is usually completed in Costa Rica. We ship the apostilled originals directly to your translator or attorney.
Can you notarize a power of attorney for a Costa Rican property?
Yes. We notarize it with you anywhere in Greater Boston and obtain the apostille. Ask your Costa Rican attorney for the text first.
Do you ship to Costa Rica?
Yes, with tracking, to you, your attorney or your translator.
Sending documents to Costa Rica?
Tell us about your application, your documents and your filing date, and we will plan every step.