DGME’s general residency guidance calls for a criminal-record certificate from the applicant’s country of origin or the country where the person legally resided for the last three years. Choosing the correct authority and geographic coverage matters before you order the record.
Checked against DGME’s general requirements on 7 September 2026. Read the checklist for your particular category as well.
Which country should issue the certificate?
The published general rule identifies the country of origin or the place of legal residence for the last three years. If you rely on the latter, DGME also requires evidence of that legal residence through the specified certified immigration-document copy. A short visit or an address alone should not be assumed to establish the required legal residence.
If you have lived in several countries, have the relevant residence history reviewed before choosing a certificate. Do not order a local police letter simply because it is faster.
Federal and local criminal-record systems
DGME’s guidance specifically addresses countries including the United States, Canada, Brazil and Mexico that have federal and local jurisdictions. It describes certificates covering checks by name, identification number and fingerprints where the country issues them, with coverage across the relevant national territory.
If a federal certificate identifies arrests or pending proceedings, DGME also calls for a certificate from the locality handling the case that states the result of the proceeding. Do not conceal entries or assume that a record automatically answers every question about eligibility. Obtain advice about the actual facts and requested supporting records.
Authentication and translation
The certificate must have the apostille or legalization and authentication required for foreign public documents. Which route applies depends on the issuing country. Non-Spanish documents require the Spanish translation described in DGME’s guidance. See our translation guide for provider and document checks.
A translation does not expand the territory searched by a certificate or correct an unsuitable original. Confirm the record itself before commissioning the remaining work.
Plan the request and filing
- Identify the category checklist and the country and authority relevant to your history.
- Check the issuing authority’s current process, identification requirements and expected completion time.
- Arrange authentication and translation for the correct document.
- Compare identity details and obtain any required supporting case records.
- Confirm the applicable issue-date requirements and retain the complete document package.
This guide does not apply one universal three-month validity period or promise a fixed government processing time. Check current requirements before ordering and follow any individual request issued by DGME.
FBI background checks and fingerprinting in Costa Rica
If an FBI Identity History Summary is the appropriate US record for your case, follow the FBI’s current fingerprint and request instructions. The FBI requires a current fingerprint card and accepts its FD-1164 form printed on standard white paper. A previous card cannot simply be reused for a new request.
When arranging fingerprinting locally, confirm that the provider can prepare the impressions and identifying details required for the FBI process you are using. Ask about experience, accepted identification, appointment costs and what happens if the impressions are rejected. The FBI recommends a fingerprinting technician and multiple sets when fingerprints are repeatedly rejected. Do not assume a local appointment or a private agency is an FBI office or approved channeler.
Fingerprint collection, the FBI request, document authentication and Spanish translation are separate stages. The FBI’s FAQ explains that eligible authenticated results may be sent to the US Department of State for an apostille. Confirm the complete document route before ordering. Source checked 8 September 2026.
Contact CRIE to confirm current assistance or referral availability before visiting; this article does not promise a particular fingerprinting appointment or government turnaround time.
A separate fingerprinting procedure
Fingerprints used to obtain a foreign background check and the Costa Rican fingerprinting evidence discussed in DGME’s documentation guidance are separate matters. Completing one should not be assumed to replace the other. Read the Costa Rica fingerprinting guide.
For the rest of the file, use our residency document checklist. Contact CRIE for help organizing a case-specific document plan.
Official source: DGME Regularización, Requisitos Generales. Verified 7 September 2026.