Costa Rican Citizenship

After living in Costa Rica for a number of years many foreigners decide that they want to acquire Costa Rican citizenship (Dual citizenship is permitted.) If you can qualify, this is another way to stay in the country legally. As a naturalized citizen you will have the same rights as a Costa Rican citizen including the privalege to vote and a Costa Rican passport.

There are some U.S. citizens who giveup their citizenship voluntarily to take care of tax benefits for those living abroad. This is an extreme measure and we recommend thinking about the advantages and disadvantages. We heard of one case where the founder of Tupperware moved to Costa Rica about twenty years ago and became a Costa Rican citizen for tax reasons. In this case millions of dollars were involved. The average person would not benefit from such a move.

We have been told that after living in Costa Rica for more than 7 years under the category of “Permanent Resident Status,” you may apply for citizenship. Applicants will need to prove they have the financial means to live in Costa Rica. They’ll also need a certificate from the computer section of the Department of Immigration showing their exits and entries into Costa Rica from the time they entered Costa Rica to the day they apply for citizenship. Permanent residents and resident investors will need a certificate from the National Immigration Council showing the names of their parents, your date of birth and your current immigration status. Pensionados and rentistas will need the same document from the Costa Rican Institute of Tourism.

Applicants will also need to take a written tests through the Department of Public Education in geography and the Spanish language. These exams are usually given four times a year.

Foreign men and women married to Costa Ricans for a minimum of 2 years and who have lived in the country for at least 2 years, may also become citizens. The Costa Rican spouse can be either through birth or by naturalization. You will also be able to become a naturalized citizen if you have been divorced from a Costa Rica citizen, but must have to comply with both the minimum time requirement for marriage and residence in the country.

As far as we know, the United States does not favor dual nationality for its citizens, but does recognize its existence. We just checked with the embassy here and U. S. citizens may obtain Costa Rican citizenship without renouncing U.S. citizenship.

A birth certificate issued by the Civil Registry for your Costa Rica spouse is also required. Applicants will need a certificate from the computer section of the Immigration Department showing your exits and entries into Costa Rica up to the day you file for Costa Rican citizenship. You will need to have your birth certificate notarized by the Costa Rican consul (You may use the same one which you obtained for Costa Rican residency). In lieu of this last requeirement you may obtian either a certificate from the Immigration Department or from the Tourist Institute showing your date and place of birth, parents’ names and a sword statement of your birth.

The naturalization process is slow and can take over a year. Once approved, you’ll be sword at a special ceremony. Check with the U.S. Embassy in San José for the latest regulations. We know of a number of North Americans who have both U.S. and Costa Rican citizenship. One expatriate friend uses his Costa Rican passport for travel because he claims there are fewer problems than with his U.S. passport.

We suggest consulting a Costa Rican attorney for all the details and specific requirements if you are really interested in this subject. Attorneys charge from $700 to $1000 for this service. However if you speak fluent Spanish you can do it yourself. There are several people who work outside of the immigration office who will assist you for a nominal fee.