NATURALIZATION PROCESS FOR BECOMING A COSTA RICAN CITIZEN
The Costa Rican citizenship or naturalization process has two specific categories that the applicant must file under. Either by marriage link with a Costa Rican citizen, or by residency compliance.
REQUIREMENTS FOR COSTA RICA CITIZENSHIP THROUGH MARRIAGE
Under this category, a foreign individual can obtain citizenship if he/she has been married to a Costa Rican citizen for a period of at least two years, and has remained in the country for at least two years after the marriage.
Every day lived abroad will be deducted from the 730-day in-country time requirement.
Documentation Requirements:
- Cover letter.
- Background check.
- Birth certificate.
- Five passport-size photographs.
- Certified copy of the passport.
- Costa Rican Spouse's ID.
- Marriage Certificate.
Any documents that may come from abroad, such as the background check and the birth certificate, must be apostilled and authenticated by a Costa Rican Notary in order to be eligible for use in Costa Rica. The background check must be issued within three months prior to the filing of the application. In addition, the documents must be translated into Spanish.
REQUIREMENTS FOR COSTA RICA CITIZENSHIP THROUGH RESIDENCY
Under this category, a foreign individual can obtain citizenship if he/she has been a resident, living in Costa Rica, for at least seven years.
Every month lived abroad will be deducted from the total time living in-country. This means that if the applicant has spent 6 months outside the country since obtaining residency (whether if said time was in a sole period of time, or in several moments), then said person must submit the application 7 years and 6 months after having obtained residency.
Documentation Requirements:
- Cover letter.
- Background check.
- Birth certificate.
- Five passport-size photographs.
- Certified copy of the passport.
- Proof of income.
- Provide two witnesses that have known the applicant for at least 7 years.
In addition, all applicants under the age of 65 must take and pass a History and Spanish language test prior to applying.
Any documents that may come from abroad, such as the background check and the birth certificate, must be apostilled and authenticated by a Costa Rican Notary in order to be eligible for use in Costa Rica. The background check must be issued within three months prior to the filing of the application. In addition, the documents must be translated into Spanish.
Article Provide by RE&B Attorneys
Jose Alejandro Martínez-Castro
Email for more info at: info@propertiesincostarica.com