Two documents appear in almost every Costa Rica residency application — and both cause more confusion and delay than any other part of the process: the FBI background check and the apostille. Getting these right, in the right order, with the right validity window, is one of the most important things you can do to keep your application on track.
This guide explains what each document is, why Costa Rica requires them, and how to navigate the process correctly.
What Is an FBI Background Check?
For U.S. citizens applying for Costa Rica residency, DGME requires a federal criminal background check issued by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) — not a state-level background check, and not a report from a third-party screening company. The FBI Identity History Summary (commonly called an Identity History Summary or rap sheet) is the specific document required.
Non-U.S. applicants must provide an equivalent national background check from their country of citizenship or primary residence. The exact format varies by country — an immigration attorney familiar with your nationality can confirm what DGME will accept.
Why Must It Be Apostilled?
Costa Rica is a signatory to the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents. Under this convention, public documents from one member country can be authenticated for use in another member country through an apostille — a standardized certificate that confirms the document’s authenticity.
For U.S. documents, the FBI background check must be apostilled by the U.S. Department of State — specifically the Office of Authentications. A standard notarization or county clerk certification is not sufficient. The apostille confirms that the FBI’s signature on the document is genuine, making the document legally recognized in Costa Rica.
The Validity Window: This Is Where Most Applicants Run Into Problems
The apostilled FBI background check has a limited validity period for use in a Costa Rica residency application. The document must be current — meaning the apostille was issued within the validity window recognized by DGME at the time your application is accepted as complete.
This creates a sequencing challenge: the FBI background check takes time to obtain (weeks to months depending on the method), the apostille process adds additional time, and by the time your overall residency application is assembled, your background check may be approaching or past its validity window. Starting early — and coordinating the timing of each document — is essential.
What About Other Documents That Need Apostilles?
The FBI background check is not the only document that requires an apostille. For U.S. applicants, birth certificates also typically require apostilles. Birth certificates are issued by state vital records offices — each U.S. state has its own process for apostilling birth certificates, and the apostilling authority is the relevant Secretary of State office for that state (not the federal Department of State).
If you were born in one state but have lived in others, confirm which state’s birth certificate and apostille DGME will accept. Some applicants also need apostilled marriage certificates if applying with a spouse.
Certified Translation
All documents submitted to DGME that are not in Spanish must be translated by a certified translator recognized in Costa Rica. An apostille authenticates the document — the certified translation renders it in the language of the Costa Rican legal system. Both are required for foreign-language documents; neither substitutes for the other.
Sequencing Your Documents to Avoid Expiry
The most common apostille-related problem in Costa Rica residency applications is submitting a background check or other apostilled document that has expired — or one that will expire before DGME finishes reviewing the file. Plan your document gathering with the full assembly timeline in mind, and build in buffer time. An attorney who manages residency applications regularly will have a realistic sense of current DGME processing times and can help you time your document gathering accordingly.
Non-U.S. Applicants
The process varies significantly for citizens of countries other than the United States. Some countries issue national police certificates rather than background checks from a central federal agency. Some countries’ documents require legalization through different channels. CRIE works with applicants from across the world and can guide you through the specific apostille and authentication requirements for your country of origin.
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CRIE is a Costa Rica-based immigration law firm that has guided hundreds of expats, retirees, and investors through the residency process. Our licensed attorneys handle every step so you can focus on your new life here.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Costa Rica immigration laws can change. Individual circumstances vary. Consult CRIE or a licensed immigration attorney before filing.