For Costa Rica residency, a document issued abroad that has no expiry date of its own must be no more than six months old on the day you file your application. That rule comes from Article 10 of the Reglamento de Extranjería, the immigration regulation. There are important exceptions in both directions: Migración accepts an older birth certificate, but asks for some certificates to be no more than two or three months old. Here is the full picture, so you can order your documents in the right order.
Looking at all your options? Read our complete guide to Costa Rica residency, with every category compared.
The six-month rule
Article 10 of the Reglamento de Extranjería says that documents from abroad keep whatever validity they state themselves. If a document does not state a validity period, it must have an issue date (fecha de emisión) no more than six months before you present it to Migración.
In practice this matters most for your criminal record certificate (police or FBI background check). It is the document most likely to go stale while you wait for appointments, apostilles and translations.
Validity document by document
- Birth certificate: Migración’s general requirements say a birth certificate is accepted even if it was issued more than six months ago, as long as it is apostilled or legalized, officially translated, its details match your passport, and it is in perfect condition, with no crossings-out, tears, tape or other alterations.
- Criminal record certificate: from your country of origin, or wherever you lived legally for the last three years, apostilled or legalized. If it does not state its own validity, the six-month rule applies. Citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil and other countries with local and federal records need a federal check by name, ID number and fingerprints.
- Costa Rican Civil Registry certificate proving your family link with a Costa Rican (for example a marriage registered in Costa Rica): issued no more than two months before you file.
- Marriage certificate from abroad when your spouse is a permanent resident: apostilled or legalized and issued no more than two months before you file.
- Company or organisation certifications (for example the legal-standing certificate of a company or religious congregation): usually no more than three months old.
Apostille and translation
Under Articles 8 and 9 of the regulation, every public document from abroad must be apostilled (for countries in the Hague Apostille Convention, which Costa Rica joined through Law 8923) or legalized by the Costa Rican consulate and authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Article 11 adds that any document not in Spanish needs a literal translation by an official translator. Migración’s list asks for the birth certificate to be translated by an official Costa Rican translator.
The apostille does not restart the clock: the six months run from the document’s own issue date. See our guide to apostilled documents for residency.
How to time your documents
- Order the birth certificate first. Its age is not a problem, so get it apostilled and translated early.
- Book your Migración appointment or plan your filing date before you order anything with a short life.
- Order the criminal record certificate last, so it is still under six months old when you file, including the time for the apostille and translation. A federal check with fingerprints can take weeks.
- Request Costa Rican Civil Registry certificates in the final weeks, because they must be under two months old.
- Check every name and date against your passport. A mismatch means Migración asks you to explain or correct it.
What happens if a document expires before you file
A document that is too old when you file has to be replaced with a new one, apostilled and translated again. Migración can also ask you in writing to complete or clarify missing requirements, which adds time. Planning the order above avoids paying twice. Our residency requirements page lists everything each category needs.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a background check valid for Costa Rica residency?
If the certificate does not state its own validity, it must be no more than six months old on the day you file, under Article 10 of the Reglamento de Extranjería.
Does my birth certificate have to be recent?
No. Migración accepts a birth certificate issued more than six months ago if it is apostilled or legalized, officially translated, matches your passport and is in perfect condition.
Does the apostille date count as the issue date?
No. The six months run from the issue date of the document itself, not from the date of the apostille or translation.
Which documents must be even newer than six months?
Costa Rican Civil Registry certificates proving a family link and a foreign marriage certificate for the spouse of a permanent resident must be under two months old; company certifications usually under three months.
Sources: Reglamento de Extranjería (Decree 37112-G) Articles 8 to 11 on SINALEVI, and Migración’s residency requirements page (migracion.go.cr/regularizacion), checked 15 October 2026. General information only — confirm current requirements before acting.
Want your documents timed right? CRIE is an immigration law firm in Costa Rica with over 20 years of experience. Talk to our immigration expert, Johanna: WhatsApp +506 8373 2085 or email info@crie.cr.