Citizenship in Costa Rica

Most foreigners become Costa Rican citizens by naturalization: after seven years of official residence in Costa Rica, or five years for Central Americans, Spaniards and Ibero-Americans by birth, or after two years of marriage to a Costa Rican while living here for those same two years. Citizenship is granted by the Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones (TSE), not by Migración. Applicants through residence must also pass Spanish and Costa Rican history exams, unless they are older adults or have a medical exemption.

Ways to Become a Costa Rican Citizen

• By residence: after seven years of official residence, or five for Central Americans, Spaniards and Ibero-Americans by birth.
• By marriage: after two years married to a Costa Rican and two years living in Costa Rica. See citizenship by marriage.
• By birth: children born in Costa Rica. See citizenship by birth.
• By descent: children of a Costa Rican parent born abroad. See citizenship by descent.

Not a resident yet? Citizenship by residence starts with residency, usually Pensionado, Rentista or Investor, then permanent residency after three years.

Costa Rica Citizenship Requirements (Naturalization by Residence)

These come from the TSE’s official requirement sheet for naturalization by residence under Law 1155. You file:

1. A written application. You can file it yourself; if someone else files it, your signature must be authenticated by a lawyer, or they need a special power of attorney.
2. An email address for notices.
3. A certified copy of your DIMEX or other identity document issued by Migración. A passport is not accepted for this route.
4. Your birth certificate from your country of origin, apostilled or legalized, with a Spanish translation by an official translator registered with Costa Rica’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Unless it states otherwise, it must be no more than three months old.
5. A sworn declaration by two witnesses who know you, covering the years of residence, your means of support and your good conduct, made before the Civil Registry or a notary.
6. Proof of your means of support: a salary letter, an employer registration (orden patronal), or a certification from a Costa Rican public accountant.
7. Proof of Spanish and Costa Rican history: passing results in the Ministry of Public Education’s naturalization exams, or recognition of studies completed in Costa Rica.
8. A police certificate from your country of origin or your last country of residence, apostilled and translated, presented within three months of issue. It must come from a national or federal authority, never a state, county, provincial or consular one.
9. A passport-size photo and the fiscal stamp.
10. A sworn declaration that you have no repeated minor offenses (contravenciones).

Once everything is filed, you collect a notice of your application and publish it in the official gazette, La Gaceta. If it is not published in time, the application is rejected. Extra proof of your years here helps, such as a Caja contribution report, vaccination records or Costa Rican school certificates.

The Spanish and History Exams

The exams are set by the Ministry of Public Education and cover Spanish and Costa Rican social studies. You are exempt if you are an older adult, or if a medical certificate shows a permanent health or cognitive condition that prevents you from taking them. See our guide to the Costa Rica citizenship test.

Citizenship by Marriage: the Requirements

For naturalization by marriage, you must have been married to a Costa Rican for two years and lived in Costa Rica for those two years, and the marriage must be registered in Costa Rica’s Civil Registry. The TSE’s sheet for this route asks for the written application, an email address, a certified copy of your identity document (a passport is accepted here), your apostilled and translated birth certificate, a national-level police certificate no more than three months old, and a passport-size photo with the fiscal stamp.

How to Apply, Step by Step

1. Count your years. Only official residence counts. Time as a tourist or on the Digital Nomad visa does not.
2. Order your foreign documents last. The birth certificate and police certificate must be recent, so order them close to filing, then apostille and translate them.
3. Prepare the Costa Rican documents: the witnesses’ declaration, proof of support and your exam results.
4. File with the TSE’s Sección de Opciones y Naturalizaciones, at the central office in San José or a regional office.
5. Publish the notice in La Gaceta on time.
6. Wait for the decision. The TSE’s official resolution period is 285 business days.

Common Mistakes

• Filing a birth or police certificate older than three months.
• A state or local police record instead of a national or federal one, such as the FBI record for Americans.
• Translations by someone not registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Using a passport instead of your DIMEX for the residence route.
• Missing the La Gaceta publication.
• Counting time as a tourist or digital nomad toward the years.

FAQ

How long do I need to live in Costa Rica to become a citizen?

Seven years of official residence, or five for Central Americans, Spaniards and Ibero-Americans by birth. Through marriage, two years married to a Costa Rican and living here.

Do I have to pass a Spanish test?

For naturalization by residence, yes, unless you are an older adult or have a certified permanent medical exemption. Studies completed in Costa Rica can also count.

Does Digital Nomad time count toward citizenship?

No. The Digital Nomad visa is a stay, not residency, so it does not count as official residence.

Can I keep my current citizenship?

Costa Rica allows dual citizenship. Whether you keep your current one depends on your home country’s rules. See Costa Rica dual citizenship.

Who decides my application?

The Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones, through the Civil Registry’s Sección de Opciones y Naturalizaciones, not Migración.

How long does naturalization take?

The TSE’s official resolution period is 285 business days from a complete application.

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CRIE is an immigration law firm with licensed attorneys. Tell us how long you have lived here and under which category, and we will tell you whether you qualify and what to prepare first. WhatsApp +506 8373 2085 or email info@crie.cr.

Professional Disclaimer

This page is general information, not advice on your particular case. Costa Rican citizenship and naturalization are decided by the Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones (TSE), and requirements can change, so we confirm the current requirement sheet on tse.go.cr before anything is filed.