Costa Rica Citizenship by Birth: Birthright Rules and Age Limits

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.

Does Costa Rica have birthright citizenship?

Yes, but for children of foreign parents it is not automatic. Under article 13(3) of the Constitution, a child born in Costa Rica to foreign parents is Costa Rican by birth once registered as Costa Rican, either by a parent while the child is a minor or by the person themselves before turning 25. A child born here to a Costa Rican parent is Costa Rican by birth under article 13(1).

Having a baby in Costa Rica as a foreigner

If your baby is born in Costa Rica, the birth is recorded with the Civil Registry, which belongs to the TSE. Being born here and being registered as Costa Rican are not the same step, so ask the Civil Registry what is needed to register your child’s nationality and keep the resulting certificate.

Once your child is Costa Rican, article 78(2) of the immigration law lets the parents of a Costa Rican citizen apply for permanent residence. That is a separate application to the DGME, covered in our residency for parents guide.

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.

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