Best way to apply for citizenship?

30 views
Skip to first unread message

RonCR

unread,
Jan 12, 2021, 1:47:10 PM1/12/21
to costa-ri...@googlegroups.com
Has anybody had any experience with this? Am wondering whether to use an attorney or do it myself. I'm lazy and hate dealing with bureaucracies so would prefer having somebody else do it for me, but have found that it can be faster, not to mention much less expensive to deal with the government directly. And yes, I have been a legal resident for more than 8 years.

john p. Miesen

unread,
Jan 12, 2021, 2:49:23 PM1/12/21
to costa-ri...@googlegroups.com
Ron:
I have used : ALLAN GARRO for all my legal issues for the last 30 years.........Speaks English.Harvard law graduate.....506 8301 1649
john miesen

On Tue, Jan 12, 2021 at 12:47 PM RonCR <rr...@earthlink.net> wrote:
Has anybody had any experience with this? Am wondering whether to use an attorney or do it myself. I'm lazy and hate dealing with bureaucracies so would prefer having somebody else do it for me, but have found that it can be faster, not to mention much less expensive to deal with the government directly. And yes, I have been a legal resident for more than 8 years.

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Living in Costa Rica" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to costa-rica-liv...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/costa-rica-living/1114419587.4061.1610477228597%40wamui-muscovy.atl.sa.earthlink.net.


--




# Jacks New Chicken Dance Dance

RonCR

unread,
Jan 12, 2021, 3:03:23 PM1/12/21
to costa-ri...@googlegroups.com
That's not what I asked. I know lots of lawyers.

Mariel Castaneda

unread,
Jan 12, 2021, 3:04:18 PM1/12/21
to costa-ri...@googlegroups.com

Has anyone taken the test already?  I’d like to know if one needs to memorize a lot of information to pass it?

 

I think this is the year for me to apply for citizenship as well.

 

From: costa-ri...@googlegroups.com [mailto:costa-ri...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of john p. Miesen
Sent: Tuesday, January 12, 2021 1:49 PM
To: costa-ri...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [Living in Costa Rica] Best way to apply for citizenship?

 

Ron:

RonCR

unread,
Jan 12, 2021, 3:05:39 PM1/12/21
to costa-ri...@googlegroups.com
Also, why would I need a lawyer who speaks English when I am applying for citizenship in a country where the language is Spanish? 

-----Original Message-----
From: "john p. Miesen"

gene french

unread,
Jan 12, 2021, 3:07:22 PM1/12/21
to costa-ri...@googlegroups.com
The tests have been deleted...no civics test...no spanish tests...
Sam and i are in the process...

Gene





Sent from my note9

Mariel Castaneda

unread,
Jan 12, 2021, 3:09:10 PM1/12/21
to costa-ri...@googlegroups.com

WOOOW!  Thanks for the great news! 

RonCR

unread,
Jan 12, 2021, 3:16:37 PM1/12/21
to costa-ri...@googlegroups.com
If you are in the process then maybe you would like to share what exactly is the process you are using?

gene french

unread,
Jan 12, 2021, 3:19:35 PM1/12/21
to costa-ri...@googlegroups.com
Ron..
Why so curt with your answer to john...he was replying to try to provide you with information...
I dont understand your motives...

Gene



Sent from my note9


gene french

unread,
Jan 12, 2021, 4:00:32 PM1/12/21
to costa-ri...@googlegroups.com
I think sam is working on a translated version...the one i have is in spanish.. downloaded by a friend from their website...



Sent from my note9


-------- Original message --------
From: RonCR <rr...@earthlink.net>

RonCR

unread,
Jan 12, 2021, 4:15:07 PM1/12/21
to costa-ri...@googlegroups.com
Yes my answer was curt. I was asking to see if anybody had first hand information. 

Still waiting for your answer. You said you were in the process. Do you only speak Spanish? Or by "in the process" do you mean that you are only at the stage of looking into it?

gene french

unread,
Jan 12, 2021, 4:38:36 PM1/12/21
to costa-ri...@googlegroups.com
You are not a very nice person...figure it out yourself...in fact you are an ass...

Sam Wilson

unread,
Jan 12, 2021, 4:53:41 PM1/12/21
to Living in Costa Rica
LiCR,

There are several folks around here who have either been completely through this process or further along than Gene and I.  But here's as good as place as any to share what we know.  First off, a big thanks to those who have been kind enough to share experiences and current information with us (y'all know who you are!) as it has been several years since I really studied this...

Important note:  It is not immigration who handles naturalization as many mistakenly believe -- it is the TSE (Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones) and the Registro Civil it heads.

image.png

Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones  

There are many paths to citizenship in Costa Rica.  Per DECRETO n.º 12-2012, REGLAMENTO RELATIVO A LOS TRÁMITES, REQUISITOS Y CRITERIOS DE RESOLUCIÓN EN MATERIA DE NATURALIZACIONES, which was published Publicado en el Alcance n.° 124 a La Gaceta n.º 171 de 05 de setiembre de 2012, they list 6 and I would expect there are more...

Note that there was some new decrees about this sort of stuff published in 2017 that I still need to review to see what wording has been changed -  Decreto n.° 2-2017 del Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones, publicado en La Gaceta n.° 54 del 16 de marzo de 2017, but the below is from info gleaned from the TSE website this month (Jan 2021).


TIPOS DE TRÁMITES DE NATURALIZACIONES:
  1. Naturalización por residencia: trámite para que una persona adquiera la nacionalidad costarricense por naturalización en razón de haber residido oficialmente en el país durante los plazos constitucionalmente establecidos (arts 8 a 22).

  2. Naturalización por matrimonio con costarricense: trámite para que una persona adquiera la nacionalidad costarricense por naturalización en razón de haber contraído matrimonio con un nacional de Costa Rica (arts 23 a 35).

  3. Naturalización por trascendencia de alguno de los progenitores: trámite para que un menor de edad adquiera la nacionalidad costarricense con fundamento en la naturalización de alguno de sus progenitores (arts 36 a 44).

  4. Naturalización por domicilio no menor de veinte años en Costa Rica: trámite para que una persona adquiera la nacionalidad costarricense por naturalización, en razón de justificar un domicilio no menor de veinte años en Costa Rica (arts 45 a 54).

  5. Naturalización de mayor de 25 años de edad, nacido en Costa Rica e hijo de padres extranjeros: trámite para que una persona nacida en Costa Rica, hija de padres extranjeros y que no solicitó opción de nacionalidad antes de cumplir 25 años de edad, adquiera la nacionalidad costarricense (arts 55 a 63).

  6. Naturalización de mayor de 25 años de edad, nacido en el extranjero é hijo de padre o madre costarricense por nacimiento: trámite para que una persona nacida fuera de Costa Rica, hija de padre o madre costarricense por nacimiento y que no solicitó opción de nacionalidad antes de cumplir 25 años de edad, adquiera la nacionalidad costarricense (arts 64 a 72).   
In English, that is:

  1. By having residency,
  2. by marrying a Costa Rican,
  3. by a minor's parents becoming naturalized,
  4. by living in Costa Rica for 20+ years,
  5. by being born in Costa Rica of foreign parents who didn't request their child's citizenship in a timely manner
  6. by being born outside of Costa Rica by Costa Rican parents who didn't request their child's citizenship in a timely manner
Obviously, options #1, #2, or #4 would be most likely possible options for folks on this forum. 

Gene is opting for #1 and I am opting for #2.  Although if I piss off my wife enough before finishing this estimated to be 10 month tramite, I might have to go for option #4.  jajaja....

I think this should be an easy enough procedure for anyone who has lived in Costa Rica long enough to qualify for one of the naturalization paths.

Appointments for getting started down this path can only be had at the TSE office in San José.  Regional TSE offices might be able to give you a little info, but they'll direct you the main TSE office for your official appointment.  Here is where you can check on availability and set an appointment:

Citas para trámites de naturalizaciones

As of right now, they still show appointments available next week... but I think the scheduling page has looked like that since last month, so maybe that is true, maybe it is not.  hmmmm.

image.png

Before I go more into details about requirements for specific types of naturalizations, plus because I've got a pending conference call in a few minutes, let me review that 2017 decree to see what is different from the 2012 decree I've been using as a reference.  The above and the attachment of REGLAMENTO RELATIVO A LOS TRÁMITES, REQUISITOS Y CRITERIOS DE RESOLUCIÓN EN MATERIA DE NATURALIZACIONES DECRETO n.º 12-2012 y sus reformas I've attached should be enough to get the conversation started for now!  jajaja.  Happy reading!  ;-)

Sam
reglamentorelativotramitesnaturalizacion.pdf

Mariel Castaneda

unread,
Jan 12, 2021, 5:38:13 PM1/12/21
to costa-ri...@googlegroups.com

THANK YOU

--

You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Living in Costa Rica" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to costa-rica-liv...@googlegroups.com.

image001.png
image002.png

RonCR

unread,
Jan 12, 2021, 6:06:04 PM1/12/21
to costa-ri...@googlegroups.com
Yes I suppose that I am looked upon as "not a very nice person" by some people, but that's the price of being honest.

Honesty and integrity are more important to me than getting Likes on Facebook. 

-----Original Message-----
From: gene french
Sent: Jan 12, 2021 3:38 PM
To: costa-ri...@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: [Living in Costa Rica] Best way to apply for citizenship?

You are not a very nice person...figure it out yourself...in fact you are an ass...

Gene





Sent from my note9


-------- Original message --------
From: RonCR <rr...@earthlink.net>
Date: 1/12/21 3:15 PM (GMT-06:00)
Subject: RE: [Living in Costa Rica] Best way to apply for citizenship?

Yes my answer was curt. I was asking to see if anybody had first hand information. 

Still waiting for your answer. You said you were in the process. Do you only speak Spanish? Or by "in the process" do you mean that you are only at the stage of looking into it?

-----Original Message-----
From: gene french
Sent: Jan 12, 2021 3:00 PM
To: costa-ri...@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: [Living in Costa Rica] Best way to apply for citizenship?

I think sam is working on a translated version...the one i have is in spanish.. downloaded by a friend from their website...



Sent from my note9


-------- Original message --------
From: RonCR <rr...@earthlink.net>

--

You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Living in Costa Rica" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to costa-rica-liv...@googlegroups.com.



--

 

 

 

 

# Jacks New Chicken Dance Dance

--

You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Living in Costa Rica" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to costa-rica-liv...@googlegroups.com.

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Living in Costa Rica" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to costa-rica-liv...@googlegroups.com.

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Living in Costa Rica" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to costa-rica-liv...@googlegroups.com.

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Living in Costa Rica" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to costa-rica-liv...@googlegroups.com.

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Living in Costa Rica" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to costa-rica-liv...@googlegroups.com.

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Living in Costa Rica" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to costa-rica-liv...@googlegroups.com.

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Living in Costa Rica" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to costa-rica-liv...@googlegroups.com.

RonCR

unread,
Jan 12, 2021, 6:29:46 PM1/12/21
to costa-ri...@googlegroups.com
Muchisimas gracias Sam. It's a shame that you are taking a different route but I assume that the basic requirements are the same, such as the documents required from your home country. These requirements always seem to be changing so getting up to the minute first hand advice is invaluable as it could save a lot of time. Please keep us posted.

I thought about paying a lawyer for advice but have found them to be like priests, i.e., they pretend they have the answer for everything even if they don't know shit. 

-----Original Message-----
From: Sam Wilson
Sent: Jan 12, 2021 3:53 PM
To: Living in Costa Rica
Subject: Re: [Living in Costa Rica] Best way to apply for citizenship?

Sam


Sam Wilson

unread,
Jan 13, 2021, 12:57:32 AM1/13/21
to Living in Costa Rica
LiCR,

So, after being worried from reading all the references to Decreto Nº 2-2017 published in La Gaceta Nº 54, 16 de marzo del 2017 that Decreto Nº 12-2012 REGLAMENTO RELATIVO A LOS TRÁMITES, REQUISITOS Y CRITERIOS DE RESOLUCIÓN EN MATERIA DE NATURALIZACIONES published in Alcance N° 124 a La Gaceta Nº 171 de 05 de setiembre de 2012 mentions, it was all for naught.  I've attached La Gaceta Nº 54, 16 de marzo del 2017, where one can read Decreto Nº 2-2017 starting on page 31 to find that it basically is adding a new citizenship path:

7. Naturalización para personas declaradas en condición de apátrida o refugiado apátrida - where a stateless person, or a persecuted person who fears to go back to their country, can claim a path to citizenship. 

It looks to me like Decreto Nº 12-2012 just post-references the newer Decreto Nº 2-2017 because of the new definitions of stateless and persecuted plus a bit of bookkeeping where some paragraphs are renumbered a bit due to the new definitions and category.  Anyone else up for reading all that mumbo-jumbo legalese, please feel free to fact check and concur or differ with my conclusions -- either way would be greatly appreciated!  jajaja.

Back to studying Decreto Nº 12-2012 then...  Specifically:

TÍTULO III
TRÁMITES DE NATURALIZACIÓN, REQUISITOS Y PRUEBAS
CAPÍTULO I
NATURALIZACIÓN POR RESIDENCIA
SECCIÓN I
REQUISITOS

It starts with Artículo 8.- Requisitos que debe contener el escrito de solicitud... (Requirements that the application document must contain):

  1. Name and 2 last names.  If, as is common in the US, you only have 1 last name, then you must use the 1st last name of your father followed by the 1st last name of your mother -- in that order.

  2. Civil status - married, divorced, single, etc.

  3. Profession or trade.

  4. Cédula or DIMEX number issued by CR immigration.

  5. Exact address where you live.

  6. Name and ID #'s of 2 honorable witnesses who can vouch for your residency, good conduct, and your ability to pay your way.

  7. Statement that naturalization is requested due to having officially resided in Costa Rica for five or seven years (5 years if you were born in Central America or other Spain or other Latin American countries, 7 years for everyone else.)

  8. Statement that you swear to respect the constitutional order of the Republic.

  9. Statement that you promised to continue residing in Costa Rica on a regular basis.

  10. Statement that you renounce your previous nationality, except for in cases where you come from a country where a dual nationality treaty exists with Costa Rica.

  11. How you want to receive notifications about the process (email, fax, etc.)

You have to demonstrate that you are of age, your nationality, your birth city and birth date, as well as the your parent's names.  You have to demonstrate that you have officially resided in Costa Rica the required number of years (7 years for most folks.)  You have to demonstrate that you have conducted yourself well.  You must demonstrate that you have a profession or income and/or assets enough to take care of your obligations and family.  You must demonstrate that you know how to read and write and speak in Spanish as well as have some knowledge about Costa Rica history and values. As Gene mentioned, the language and history knowledge part can be waived for those 65+ years old.  You must demonstrate that you have not been tried for malicious crimes nor wrongdoing or convicted of repeat offences during your stay in Costa Rica and you must demonstrate with a background check from your country of origin that you have not been convicted of such things back in your homeland.  These things must be officially translated into Spanish.

You must provide an apostilled and officially translated birth certificate unless you have already provided that to CR immigration as part of your residency process and you must provide a nice copy of your ID card either in person with the original ID card or a copy certified by a notary.  You must provide proof of your official residence in Costa Rica from 2 honorable witnesses and from immigration, your entries and exits to/from Costa Rica since the 1st time you entered up to the when you submit your application. You may need to provide proof of your CAJA account and other health records showing that you've been in country...

Your 2 honorable witnesses must declare that you have in fact been of good conduct.

Your 2 honorable witnesses must declare that you are a person of means to support yourself and you must provide proof of salary, if you are not employed, an accountant's statement certifying your livelihood, or if you are retired, you must provide proof of your pension.. 

Your 2 honorable witnesses can appear before any TSE office -- it does not have to be the main office in San José.

Unless you are exempt from this language and history requirement, you must take a test for, or prove you have studied, the Spanish language, Costa Rican history, and national values.  Artículo 117 explains the exemption (the "Comprehensive Law for the Elderly Person" jajaja): 

Artículo 117.- Exención para las personas adultas mayores de  realizar la prueba de conocimientos básicos del idioma, historia y  valores nacionales, ante el Ministerio de Educación Pública.- Conforme  lo dispuesto en el inciso k) del artículo 3) de la Ley n.° 7935 denominada Ley  Integral para la persona Adulta Mayor, a toda persona que goce de esa  condición y que acredite fehacientemente en su trámite de naturalización ser  mayor de 65 años, se le eximirá de realizar las pruebas que efectúa el  Ministerio de Educación Pública para demostrar que tiene conocimientos  básicos del idioma español, historia y valores nacionales.
-----
If you are over 65 years of age, you will be exempted from taking the tests to demonstrate basic knowledge of the Spanish language, history and national values.

After all the required documentation, and other requirements, etc. have been met, a notice must be published in La Gaceta giving 10 business days for someone to object to your naturalization process.  After this period if there have been no objections it will proceed forward towards resolution.  If there are objections there will be a hearing based upon the evidence and it may or may not affect your application.

There are many more details in the Decreto Nº 12-2012 and its reforms, but attached to this message are the Cliff Notes for Naturalización por Residencia and some other useful details (contact info, etc.) as well, including an example letter requesting citizenship:

Señor

Jefe de la Sección de Opciones y Naturalizaciones

Yo, (Nombre completo que incluya apellidos paterno y materno, nacionalidad, mayor de edad, estado civil: soltero(a), casado(a), viudo(a) o divorciado(a), profesión u oficio, número de documento de identidad: cédula de residencia, carné de refugiado, etc., vecino(a) de: indicar dirección exacta del domicilio, por haber residido de manera oficial en Costa Rica durante el plazo requerido por ley, me dirijo a Usted para solicitar se me conceda la nacionalidad costarricense por naturalización con fundamento en lo dispuesto por la Ley N.° 1155 del 29 de abril de 1950 (Ley de Opciones y Naturalizaciones)

Renuncio a mi nacionalidad de origen.

Hago promesa de seguir residiendo de manera regular y estable en Costa Rica y

Juro respetar el orden constitucional de la República

Propongo como testigos a: (nombre, número de documento de identidad y domicilio de dos personas que le conozcan por el tiempo que tiene de residir en el país).

Para recibir notificaciones señalo: (Correo Electrónico, número de Fax, Apartado Postal o dirección exacta)


Firma del (de la) solicitante


Easy peasy!  jajaja.  A whole lot easier than getting US citizenship (or even legal residency) for my Tica familia...  If you think you qualify, you can easily get started on this free process and they will lead you down the path to resolution step by step, even if it requires multiple trips to the TSE office with donuts in hand to keep making progress!  ;-)

¡Buena suerte a todos!

Sam

PS - my eyes have grown weary from reading all this Costa Rican legalese so I very much reserve the right to be wrong or to have misinterpreted any part of anything I mention above!  Please review the references I have provided to verify things to your heart's content...  ;-)
COMP_16_03_2017.pdf
Naturalizacion-por-residencia-ley-1155.pdf
Naturalizacion-por-residencia-ley-1155-anexo.docx

Mariel Castaneda

unread,
Jan 13, 2021, 9:03:03 AM1/13/21
to costa-ri...@googlegroups.com

A huge THANK YOU!  The information you painstakingly provided is very much appreciated.

Error! Filename not specified.

--

You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Living in Costa Rica" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to costa-rica-liv...@googlegroups.com.

RonCR

unread,
Jan 13, 2021, 9:16:45 AM1/13/21
to costa-ri...@googlegroups.com
Sam,
All I can say is wow! Nice job. Can't thank you enough.

I still have a few questions. As with applications in Costa Rica it is not clear what exactly they require, or even if something is required at all, so I will be looking forward to seeing what exactly you had to present to meet each of these requirements.

My first question is should you have all the requirements ready to submit on your first appointment, or just some, or none? Please keep us posted on your progress.

image.png
image.png

Sam Wilson

unread,
Jan 13, 2021, 12:37:05 PM1/13/21
to Living in Costa Rica
Hi Mariel,

¡Con mucho gusto!

If I weren't for all the legalese in the world, I don't know what all the lawyers would do for a living.  No disrespect meant to any of our lawyers on board.  ;-)

So to summarize Naturalización por Residencia:

  1. You need to write a letter saying you want to become a naturalized costarricense similar to the example letter I showed earlier.  Personally, I would leave out the part of "Renuncio a mi nacionalidad de origen" unless you really plan to do that.  I have read that if you go the Residency --> Citizenship path that is required, but I don't know if that is for sure true.  The US would not recognize that as a renunciation of US citizenship either way.  Costa Rica clearly allows dual citizenship and so does the US and many other countries.  I think Costa Rica most famously allowed this so they didn't lose their 1st chance at having a Costa Rican in outer space with NASA's 1st Latino astronaut, Franklin Chang Díaz.

  2. Provide a copy of your valid ID document (e.g. DIMEX card.)  It does not need to be a notarized copy if you go in person and show the functionary handling your application both the original with the copy.  They can certify the copy themselves if you do it that way.

  3. Provide an official copy of your birth certificate, duly legalized or apostilled, and it must be officially translated into Spanish.  Here is a list of official Spanish translators for Costa Rican purposes.

  4. Affidavit of 2 honorable witnesses who can vouch for you being able to support yourself and your good conduct.  They can go to any TSE (Registro Civil) office and declare this -- they do not need to go to the main San José office to do this or provide notarized documents to this effect.

  5. Demonstrate your livelihood by providing proof of adequate salary or pension.

  6. Proof of passing the Spanish and Social Studies exam unless you are exempt due to being 65+ years old.

  7. Certified background check by the federal authorities of your country of origin or of the last country in which you had established residency (other than Costa Rica.)  This document must also be duly legalized or apostilled and be officially translated into Spanish.

  8. Provide 5 passport-size photos plus pay timbres of ¢20 for Central American citizens or ¢200 for all others.

  9. Make a sworn statement before the official (or make a sworn notarized statement) that you don't have any repeated serious criminal offenses.

  10. After all the above requirements have been met, your request must be published in La Gaceta giving anyone who cares 10 days to object.  La Sección de Opciones y Naturalizaciones will do this for you.

Even if you use a specialist (e.g. lawyer) for this, most of the legwork must be done by you, so personally I would just do it myself without paying for a service to handle this.  But if one wishes to have they hand held through this process, there are plenty of those out there who will do it for a fee.  I don't think you have to have all of these things ready when you go for your appointment at the TSE office.  Like with residency it can be a multiple visit, multiple stage sort of thing as you gather things and go for it.  Be aware that some things need to be presented in a timely fashion as was the case when obtaining residency (like official documents from your country of origin cannot be more than 3 months old, etc.)

The TSE office in San José is located on the lower flow of the building to the west of Parque Nacional and their hours are currently 7 AM - 3 PM, Monday - Friday.

Contact info:

Telephone: 2287-5478
Fax: 2287-5675

To check the status of your case:

Telephone: 2287-5555, extensions: 3868, 3869, 3870, 3871, 3872, or 3873
Via online chat:  www.tse.go.cr/chat.htm

I think that sums it up fairly nicely.  It would be interesting to hear from those who have already gone down this route how much of the above is theory versus how it happens in practice.  ;-)

--
Sam


Mariel Castaneda

unread,
Jan 13, 2021, 2:00:47 PM1/13/21
to costa-ri...@googlegroups.com

Sam:

 

Thanks again.  Your information is extremely valuable to me.  I wish I didn’t hate red tape so much, this is like pulling teeth to me.

 

Both my husband and I have gone through the application for temporary residency, permanent residency and now citizenship... they already have all those dumb documents and now we’ve got to get them all over again – obviously from a foreign country and in times of covid, which makes it all even more complicated. 

 

I have lived in four countries and this has been the only one where one has to keep renewing residency.  I absolutely detest that!

 

Warmest regards,

 

Mariel

Sam Wilson

unread,
Jan 13, 2021, 3:12:18 PM1/13/21
to Living in Costa Rica
Hi Mariel,

Note that as far as the birth certificate is concerned, Artículo 10 inciso a) of TSE Decreto Nº 12-2012 clearly says that it will not be necessary to present it if said data is included in the certification issued by the General Directorate of Migration and Immigration that indicates your migratory status, unless it has been issued based on a sworn statement, document without legalization or apostille, or without the respective official translation...

Artículo 10.- Prueba para demostrar la identidad de la parte
gestionante.- La identidad de la parte gestionante se debe demostrar por
medio de la siguiente prueba:
a.- Se deberá aportar la partida de nacimiento expedida por la autoridad
competente del país de origen, debidamente legalizada o apostillada y con la
traducción oficial al español si se encuentra redactada en otro idioma. Este
documento deberá indicar claramente el país, la ciudad y la fecha de
nacimiento, así como el nombre y apellidos de los padres. No será necesario
presentar la partida si dichos datos constan en la certificación expedida por
la Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería que indica los estatus
migratorios de la parte gestionante, salvo que se hubiere emitido con base
en declaración jurada, documento sin legalizar o apostillar, o sin la
traducción oficial respectiva. 

I have suggested to others that it is probably a good idea to get your apostilled birth certificate on the way just in case la Migra is not so forthcoming with their certified docs...

Also note that they seem pretty clear about the background check must be done by a Federal or National agency, not your local Sherrif's office or even at the state level.  Although I have yet to find Resolución del TSE Nº 211-N-2014 de las 12:31 horas del 21 de enero de 2014, which I suspect specifies that...

Earlier I mentioned Naturalización per Matrimonio (Citizenship based upon marriage to a Costa Rican) and it basically has the same steps as por Residencia except that only steps 1, 2, 3, and 7, 8 apply.  You don't need 2 honorable witnesses to testify on your behalf, you don't need proof of income or passing the Spanish language and cultural tests, and you don't need to swear that you are not a repeat offender.  I don't even think your application has to be posted in La Gaceta for a period of time for allowing folks to object.  I've attached the summary of steps and example letter of application for going this route for completeness.

Good luck with working through the red tape!  jajaja.

Sam
Naturalizacion-por-matrimonio.pdf
Naturalizacion-por-matrimonio-anexo.docx

RonCR

unread,
Jan 13, 2021, 7:09:09 PM1/13/21
to costa-ri...@googlegroups.com
Sam, A few questions maybe you could answer.

1. How does one obtain a background check from the USA? I have security clearances from the military but I am pretty sure they must have expired by now.
2. How does one obtain a record of how much time they spent out of the country?
3. Your sponsors must make an appointment with TSE?

Thanks

Mariel Castaneda

unread,
Jan 13, 2021, 7:55:14 PM1/13/21
to costa-ri...@googlegroups.com

Okay, Sam, I’m trying to think of how I’m going to explain to my husband that I’m going to marry a Tico!  Ha, ha, ha.

gene french

unread,
Jan 13, 2021, 8:17:12 PM1/13/21
to costa-ri...@googlegroups.com
Jajajajaja....
Good one!!!

Sam Wilson

unread,
Jan 13, 2021, 8:27:39 PM1/13/21
to Living in Costa Rica
Hi Mariel,

Jajaja!  Yes, that could be problematic, but here are 3 first-hand stories I've heard about how it is done the non-standard way...

Once I was hanging out in a beach house around Tamarindo and one day walking down the beach I met a Honduran fellow who I partied with a bit.  I like hearing about different places so I questioned him about Honduras for a while and he talked about his wife and family there, where he lived, etc.  Later that day he mentioned his Costa Rican wife and where he lived in Costa Rica.  What?  I asked him.  You mentioned having a wife in Honduras!  Yeah, he said...  Different country, different wife.  He had 2 families of which neither knew of the other's existence.  jejeje.

Two times I've had folks tell me of sham marriages in Costa Rica used to obtain residency or citizenship.  Once an American guy on a plane struck up a conversation with me and he mentioned that he had married a Tica he never met.  His lawyer set it up and it only cost him $500.  I'm not sure how much of that went to the Tica, but he said that it worked fine for his citizenship and he carried 2 passports because of it.  Another gal I met out in Puerto Viejo and partied with a little told me how she got paid for a sham marriage (I think to a Columbian or Venesuelan she never met.)  Later she forgot about the marriage and when she needed something from the Registro found out she was still married.  She thought it was just a quick thing that was over and done with and never knew any different.  Well, it turns out that her sham spouse died and being the bright gal she was, she filed a claim against his estate to try and get some money from the deal.  I never heard how that worked out.

So, yeah... things can be done.  And with Costa Rica's new liberalness about marriage, etc.  Perhaps polygamy would fly?  jajaja.  If so, no need to get rid of the old to get some new!  ;-)

Okay, the other idea that is even easier is that perhaps conservatives from the US can now qualify under the Refugiado Apátrida clause?  CAPITULO III, Artículo, 4 inciso m):

Refugiado apátrida: es una persona que, debido a fundados temores
de ser perseguida por motivos de raza, religión, nacionalidad, pertenencia a
un determinado grupo social u opiniones políticas, se encuentre fuera del
país de su nacionalidad y no pueda o, a causa de dichos temores, no quiera
acogerse a la protección de su país; o que careciendo de nacionalidad y
hallándose, a consecuencia de tales acontecimientos, fuera del país donde
antes tuviera su residencia habitual, no pueda o, a causa de dichos temores,
no quiera regresar a él. 
-----
A person who, due to well-founded fears of being persecuted for reasons of
race, religion, nationality, membership of a certain social group or political opinions,
is outside the country of their nationality and cannot or, because of such fears, you
do not want to avail yourself of the protection of your country; or that lacking
nationality and being, as a result of such events, outside the country where he
previously had his habitual residence, he cannot or, because of said fears, does
not want to return to it.

So yeah... lots of options we have!  ;-)

--
Sam

Mariel Castaneda

unread,
Jan 13, 2021, 8:47:15 PM1/13/21
to costa-ri...@googlegroups.com

An interesting read, Sam!  Pretty entertaining, ha, ha.

Sam Wilson

unread,
Jan 13, 2021, 9:47:39 PM1/13/21
to Living in Costa Rica
Hi Ron,

I'll give it a go.  Keep in mind that there are others who have more recent info than I on this...  jejeje.

Background check...  Yes, you hit upon potentially the most difficult part.  The last time I got one from the USA I did a simple thing with the state of Texas online and had it delivered to a family member's house in the US who then sent it on to be apostilled.  It is my understanding that now only background checks by the FBI are suitable for Costa Rica purposes and that jives with what the CR instructions say in Step 7 in the TSE Cliff Notes version of requirements:

7.  Certificación expedida por las autoridades judiciales y policiales competentes del país de origen, o del último país en el que haya establecido su residencia en el extranjero (país distinto de Costa Rica) -de ser procedentedebidamente legalizada o apostillada y con la traducción oficial al español si se encuentra redactada en otro idioma. Al momento de presentarse el documento deberá tener una fecha de emisión no mayor a tres meses. La certificación debe ser emitida por la autoridad Federal o Nacional y no estatal, condado, regional, distrital, departamental, provincial, consular, o casos similares.  

I take that to mean a background check for those from the USA must be done by the FBI.

The easy way to do this, as is the case with many things, is to just toss some money at the problem.  Outlier Legal in San Jose will do it for a mere $400...  Directly from the FBI it costs $18.  In fact Outlier Legal says they'll take care of the whole naturalization process for $1345 (or $125/mo for 12 months) if you want to do this the easy way.

So you say you are the hard-headed adventurous type who has more patience and persistence than money?  Tell Outlier to kiss the outer side and continue on... jejeje.

The FBI can provide individuals with what they call an Identity History Summary which is most commonly called a criminal history record. Here are the details:


If you happen by a US Post Office you can submit your application electronically, including fingerprints.  If not, then it can be done via regular mail.  Have it sent to an address of someone who can help you in the US because you'll need to have the report apostilled for CR citizenship purposes.  After your helper receives the report they'll need to send it off to be apostilled and then send the whole package back to you in CR where you'll need to have it all officially translated into Spanish.  This is a time-sensitive process.  The report must be done within 90 days of you submitting your application for naturalization to the TSE in Costa Rica.

Here is the application form:


So the issue becomes... getting suitable fingerprints taken for the FBI.  The last time I had fingerprints taken in Costa Rica it was done at the Police Academy across from the Centro Comercial Sur on the old Desamparados road leaving San José.  Someone recently informed me that the CR Fingerprint office is now on the east side of San José near the University at San Pedro.  I haven't tried this yet, but I think I'll be able to get the CR Police to take my fingerprints on the official FBI form available for download here:

FBI - Identity History Summary Applicant Fingerprint Form (FD-258)

Then we should be able to mail that to the US along with our application form, have it forwarded to the FBI for getting the report, get the report back to our helper in the US who then will forward it on to the State Department to be apostilled.  There are services which can do this perhaps in a faster way.  For example, using USAuthentication.com, they can take an emailed PDF of the FBI background check you obtained via the FBI's online portal, get it apostilled (they used to walk it over to the State Department to speed things up, but due to COVID-19) the walk in service has been suspended and now they mail it to State) then they send all that back to you.  Their fee for this is $55 per document and includes the State Dept fee. 

US Authentication Services - Apostille for FBI Background Check

So that's a couple of ways this can be done...

Regarding a record of how much time you spent IN the country...  CR immigration provides that.  I don't think you have to request it.  I think the TSE office will request it for you.

Sponsors?  Are you talking about someone who will manage the process for you rather than you doing it yourself?  Yes, whomever will be managing the naturalization process would be the one setting the appointment with the TSE.

Good luck!

Sam

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Living in Costa Rica" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to costa-rica-liv...@googlegroups.com.

RonCR

unread,
Jan 13, 2021, 10:25:26 PM1/13/21
to costa-ri...@googlegroups.com
Hi Sam,
 I might never have been able to figure this out without your help. 

Hardly a day goes by when I don't give thanks to God for my good luck. It just so happens that I am going to the U.S. in a few weeks - providing Biden doesn't lock down the country and cancel all flights.

The bureaucracy in Costa Rica can be mind boggling, but I have found that if you know how to navigate through it then it can be fairly easy because the people who work for the government in Costa Rica actually try to help, unlike in the U.S. where they just want to demonstrate their power over you. I have also found that if you do it yourself it takes much less time than if you hire a lawyer. I hate lawyers.

Thanks again. I will keep everybody posted on my experiences.

-----Original Message-----
From: Sam Wilson
Sent: Jan 13, 2021 8:47 PM
To: Living in Costa Rica
Subject: Re: [Living in Costa Rica] Best way to apply for citizenship?

Keith Flannigan

unread,
Jan 13, 2021, 10:57:15 PM1/13/21
to costa-ri...@googlegroups.com
If you are going to the US there are hundreds of small Police Departments that sell FBI Criminal History reports for this purpose.  I walked in filled out a short 1 page application with name SSN etc and the reason why you want it.  Showed them my DL and 15 minutes later I had a notarized, certified printout of my NCIC record.  You can then drive to the state capital and go to the Sec of States' office for apostilles.  I paid 20 dollars.  They will also take your fingerprints or anything else that you need.

If you are not near the state capital you can mail it. 

It is very simple.  I have also been told that you can have the FBI at the Embassy run it for you but I have not done that personally.  The CR's have the FBI here run you again to make sure that you did not give them a doctored document.  They also check with Interpol.  One time when I needed to have a background run here my attorney told them to have OIJ run my here because it is to be from the jurisdiction where you have lived for the last 6 years.  I could not believe it but it worked and I did not have to get a new FBI report.  Do not know if it is a policy or because her husband is an attorney for Immigration.



Keith Flannigan, PhD, CMAS
www.atabonline.info
703-310-7482


To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/costa-rica-living/842847004.8359.1610594724546%40wamui-muscovy.atl.sa.earthlink.net.

Keith Flannigan

unread,
Jan 13, 2021, 11:04:53 PM1/13/21
to costa-ri...@googlegroups.com
They are cracking down on the fake marriage thing.  There were two attornies here in San Jose.  A man and his wife.  The man worked for Immigration and the wife would go out and find streetwalkers etc and get them to sign the marriage papers.  She paid them 50 bucks.  She would also have them sign the divorce papers and date them 2 years ahead so that they did not have to look for her.  From what I was told they were making about $1.5 mill US a year selling docs to Colombians.  They are both in jail now.  I have been told that they actually do home visits from time to time if they feel like it is a bit shifty.  Especially if there is a big age difference. 

Keith Flannigan, PhD, CMAS
www.atabonline.info
703-310-7482

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/costa-rica-living/CAMrVHUTdgWnNc_c7C15w9cmR8Z-Jo7askPSvqYqjvF%3D%2B3pFd5A%40mail.gmail.com.

Don Hickman

unread,
Jan 13, 2021, 11:09:03 PM1/13/21
to costa-ri...@googlegroups.com
Keith, while you are correct about local police departments and the background check, I forsee a problem.  CR changed its rules a couple of years ago to require a national background check which implies the FBI.  And even though the local police can get that, if you have it apostilled at the state level, I'm wondering if it would confuse folks here when it doesn't say Dept of State, Washington, DC?  I don't know but I wouldn't want to take the chance.

We are going back next month so we will have a local police department fingerprint us but then I'm sending the cards to the FBI and then also sending the records to the State Dept for the apostille.  

As Sam pointed out, there are companies that will do all that for you and it doesn't cost much (around $300 total for a couple) but we'll be there long enough to get it done so no need for a private company.

Don

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/costa-rica-living/CADWave12MvM%3Duh0EcrU9if39iLcNXZ_syQ1%2Bgs-pocjAno847w%40mail.gmail.com.

Keith Flannigan

unread,
Jan 13, 2021, 11:21:58 PM1/13/21
to costa-ri...@googlegroups.com
If you are submitting fingerprints to the FBI they are about 8 months behind so unless you have some contacts it might be a long process.  They have had minimum manning during the COVID problem.  I think that it was just an excuse to sit home and collect a check.  I read in the paper about the new Federal Requriment.  My attorney said that it would not be a problem because they have to double-check them anyway but then as will most things here each attorney has a different answer to the same question.  I found an attorney who worked 12 years for immigration in that department and he hired his replacement to run the department so I am hoping that he still has the pull needed.  My papers have been lost more times than I can count.  Many years ago my wife at that time had a cousin who was Minister of Immigration.  At a family birthday party, he told me "No worries, just pay the appropriate taxes and fees and I will sign off on everything".  Me being the honest fellow that I am and not wanting to be obligated for future favors from where I work I told him no thank you I will follow the normal process.  Years later I am still having my paperwork lost.  I love Costa Rica and I love Carlos.


Keith Flannigan, PhD, CMAS
www.atabonline.info
703-310-7482

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/costa-rica-living/CAKJ009-qhicXUkNhKx7tM%2BD7RG4nJ-2TZgYDVDzzXkrGCcDjwQ%40mail.gmail.com.

Sam Wilson

unread,
Jan 14, 2021, 1:21:46 AM1/14/21
to Living in Costa Rica
LiCR,

Anyone know of any reason a careful person cannot do their own fingerprints for this FBI background check?

image.png

Just trying to avoid a 10+ hour round trip to go to San José for this if I don't have to...

--
Sam


To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/costa-rica-living/CADWave08JiK6rT0VHhWBZ8iMf8mE2CkXj5GbLcfXYKQbVEZUaA%40mail.gmail.com.

don Jhon

unread,
Jan 14, 2021, 7:17:09 AM1/14/21
to Living in Costa Rica
You can get a copy of your birth certificate from migración already apostatized,  translated, etc. but keep in mind it will only be good for 30 days because it is emitted in country vs out of is good for 90.
You can get an FBI check if from the USA from a group here in Costa Rica that can submit your fingerprints digitally, see discussion recently on other list. If not from USA you should know how to get the
"police letter" from your home country because it was require by migración for any residency applications you may have made. 

Oops, I wrote this before seeing Sam´s info below re birth cert.

don Jhon

unread,
Jan 14, 2021, 7:57:15 AM1/14/21
to Living in Costa Rica
The recent scuttlebutt is that FBI is only accepting digital fingerprint submissions, no more paper 10-cards.

On fake marriages for residency,  for a while now the applicants for residency via marriage to Ticos(as) must appear 
with "spouse" for interview at application and every year thereafter.  So, if fake would require fake spouse to in close 
contact until after three years when the foreign spouse could obtain permanent residency and then could apply for citizenship.
Only after citizenship is granted would they be able to ditch fake spouse.  Whew. 

Too risky,  they get suspicious at any point and you get deported on the next plane.

Don Hickman

unread,
Jan 14, 2021, 8:47:14 AM1/14/21
to costa-ri...@googlegroups.com
No reason.  I'm just not confident in my ability.

Don

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/costa-rica-living/CAMrVHUTBPbo%3Ds3Hr0a5JS_RnTf0ZwxuMGo8oWK8DPtOiP9H4eQ%40mail.gmail.com.

Don Hickman

unread,
Jan 14, 2021, 8:48:03 AM1/14/21
to costa-ri...@googlegroups.com
But I thought we were going to have some beer when you stop by!

On Thu, Jan 14, 2021, 12:21 AM Sam Wilson <sliw...@gmail.com> wrote:
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/costa-rica-living/CAMrVHUTBPbo%3Ds3Hr0a5JS_RnTf0ZwxuMGo8oWK8DPtOiP9H4eQ%40mail.gmail.com.

Sam Wilson

unread,
Jan 14, 2021, 9:11:41 AM1/14/21
to Living in Costa Rica
Hi Don,

Got ink?  jajaja.  We can come by and drink beer and ink our fingers!  jajaja.  Even if we figure out how to take our own fingerprints, I've still got to come to the big city to buy tools and boat parts.  Does Escazú have a West Marine store by chance?  ;-)

--
Sam

Sam Wilson

unread,
Jan 14, 2021, 2:26:23 PM1/14/21
to Living in Costa Rica
LiCR,

A little more details on having fingerprints done in Costa Rica...  First off, as mentioned earlier, it is no longer done at the Police Academy as in years past.  Now it can be done at various locations around the country -- not just in San José.  When setting an appointment to have your fingerprints taken, you now are offered a choice of locations:

Ministerio de Seguridad Pública -  Toma de Huellas Digitales  

MSP - Citas de Dactiloscopia

image.png

I assume printing the FBI form (FD-258) on white card stock can be used and then mailed to the FBI for your background check.  I've read on some Canadian forums that regular white paper works as well, but the prints are better on white card stock.  It would be good to explain to your sede of choice what you are doing and why you need it and that you will be bringing your own fingerprint card.  There is this on the Ministerio's webpage about certifications that implies only the San José handles that.  I'm not sure what the certification is about.  As far as I know you just need prints that the FBI will use to search their database of bad dudes...


Certificaciones

Únicamente en Sede San José (con cita)



  • • Cédula (costarricenses) / Pasaporte (extranjeros) vigente y en buen estado.
  • • Cancelar el equivalente a un timbre de cinco colones de archivo en las oficinas del Banco de Costa Rica o traer dicho timbre (uno por cada certificación).
  • • Para los casos no contemplados, consultar a las embajadas o consulados correspondientes.
  • Nota: Si el destino de dicha certificación son los Estados Unidos de Norte América o Canadá, debe presentar el formulario (dicha embajada lo tiene en la página web) para toma de huellas. Si es para Filipinas o Egipto la persona deberá retirar el formulario en el consulado correspondiente.
  • Requisitos según el Reglamento de Organización del Ministerio de Seguridad Pública. Dirección de Operaciones, Sección V, Articulo 143 inciso 4
  • Tomar en cuenta 
  • • El usuario debe presentarse 15 minutos antes de su cita.
  • • Si tiene alguna lesión, cirugía u otro motivo que imposibilite la toma de huellas no se podrá realizar dicho trámite (toma de huellas).
  • • Es indispensable que usted se presente con su documento de identidad en buen estado y al día.
  • • Los datos brindados al programar la cita deberan ser concordantes en el momento de presentarse, de lo contrario no se le podrá atender.
  • • No traer fotos.
  • • Señor usuario para la gestión de consulta de Informes Policiales la puede realizar al correo donde se le darán los lineamientos a seguir: solicitud...@fuerzapublica.go.cr

  • Todos los trámites son gratuitos



I am still trying to get clarification about what "certification" is and if that is important for prints to be used for the FBI background check...

--
Sam

Sam Wilson

unread,
Jan 18, 2021, 9:08:33 AM1/18/21
to Living in Costa Rica
LiCR,

An update on sedes for fingerprint taking...

image.png

In the few days since I sent that screenshot showing locations, they've added 2 new locations for having your fingerprints taken:  Liberia and Upala.  At several locations where I checked cita availability they showed 2 citas every 30 minutes (from 7 AM - 11 AM) but in San José they showed 16 slots available every 30 minutes (from 7 AM - 3 PM.)  First available appointments for taking one's fingerprints at every location I checked was 2 weeks out.

FYI,

Sam
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages