Costa Rican citizenship by birth depends on the constitutional category and, in some cases, registration or an option exercised within an age limit. Place of birth alone should not be used to promise citizenship automatically in every family situation.
Reviewed 7 September 2026 using the Constitution published by TSE and TSE’s service directory.
Born in Costa Rica
Article 13 includes a child born in Costa Rica to a Costa Rican parent. For a child of foreign parents born in Costa Rica, Article 13(3) provides registration as Costa Rican at either parent’s request during minority, or by the person’s own choice before turning 25. Confirm the registration and nationality record with the Civil Registry; do not confuse a birth record with proof that every nationality step has been completed.
Born abroad to a Costa Rican parent
Article 13(2) concerns a child born abroad to a Costa Rican parent by birth, with registration by that parent during minority or the person’s own choice before 25. The parent’s nationality history matters. Read our citizenship by descent guide for the distinction involving a parent who naturalized.
If the person is already 25 or older
TSE lists separate naturalization procedures for people over 25 born in Costa Rica to foreign parents and for people born abroad to a Costa Rican parent by birth. Ask TSE which procedure applies to the actual birth and registration history rather than assuming the earlier option remains available.
Organize the family records
- Record the person’s birth date and place.
- Identify each parent’s nationality at the relevant time and how it was acquired.
- Gather existing birth-registration and identity records.
- Keep references from any earlier registration or nationality application.
- Ask the Civil Registry for the current checklist before ordering foreign records.
Explain name differences or missing information accurately. Confirm whether the authority needs an original, a certification, authentication or a Spanish translation for each document. A hospital record, foreign passport and Costa Rican nationality certification serve different purposes.
The child’s nationality and the parents’ residency
A child’s nationality procedure does not automatically approve a parent’s immigration application. DGME handles residence separately. If the child is Costa Rican, consult our parent residency guide and confirm the applicable category and evidence with DGME.
Use the appropriate authority
Start with TSE and the Civil Registry for birth registration and nationality. For permission to remain in Costa Rica while resolving records, obtain a separate immigration assessment. Keep copies of submissions and notices; no approval date or automatic outcome is promised here.