Citizenship (Naturalization) by Residence

Costa Rica Citizenship (Naturalization) by Residence

Many immigrants eventually take the final step of immigration to Costa Rica and become naturalized citizens. First, you must go through Temporary and then Permanent Residences before applying for Citizenship. One good thing about getting citizenship is that you don't need to renew it, like temporary or permanent residency status. In addition, to get all the benefits as a Costa Rican you also get your Costa Rican passport. Costa Rica allows dual citizenshipto go!

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if you live in Costa Rica and need the following documents, JAROS offers you service of processing and obtaining them at the additional cost:

FBI Background Check & Apostille ($550 USD)
Birth Certificate & Apostille ($450 USD)

JAROS Costa Rica Immigration Experts :
offers you the local service of processing and bringing the required documentation.

Click here for more information about the Apostille Convention and check if your home country is a party to it — notable exceptions include Canada and China.

What do you need to get your Permanent status in Costa Rica?

Citizenship by Residence:

7 years living in Costa Rica as a legal resident (5 years if you are a citizen of a Central American country, a citizen of certain Latin American countries, or a Spain citizen by birth).
You must prove you have lived in Costa Rica for the accumulated time through the record of immigration entries and exits.
2 character witness declarations.
Financial means of living proof, such as an income certification from a CPA.
Birth certificate from home country, Apostilled or Legalized (in most cases, you can omit this requirement if it is in your immigration file).
A Criminal Record Check from home country, Apostilled or Legalized, issued within the last 3 months.
Completion of citizenship test – Spanish and social studies (applicants aged 65 and over are exempt from this test).

Citizenship by Marriage:

2 years living in Costa Rica married to a Costa Rican citizen.
Proof that you have lived in Costa Rica for the accumulated time through the record of immigration entries and exits.
Birth certificate from home country, Apostilled or Legalized.
A Criminal Record Check from home country, Apostilled or Legalized, issued within the last 3 months.

Note: All the documents should be apostilled in your country of origin (if your home country is not part of the Apostille Convention, the documents should be authenticated or legalized in the Embassy of Costa Rica in your country of origin).

Cost of the Process:

$1400 (Holder) $1200 (seniors 65+)
The Government fees and other expenses associated with your residency are not included.

In addition to our service fees, please note that there will be government fees and some additional expenses (such as Spanish translations, immigration appointments, local fingerprint appointment appointments to the yellow house, ID card – DIMEX, and security deposit (refundable), CASH register).

- Taxes are not included in the price.
- All prices are subject to change without notice.

TIME EXTENSION FOR SUBMITTING DOCUMENTS

You have 90 days to submit all required documents to Immigration (DGME) once your file is opened. Let's say a residency applicant has difficulty obtaining documents within the allotted 90-day period, and we can help. In this case, JAROS can request 1 extension of time to submit the documents (with a cost of $100 USD per time extension request).