How To Get Costa Rica Citizenship Through Residency

Navigating the path to Costa Rican citizenship can seem complex with the myriad details and steps involved. However, by focusing on the key requirements and procedures, you can effectively pursue your dream of becoming a Tico or Tica.

Essential Criteria for Costa Rica Citizenship

Costa Rica’s citizenship laws outline specific residency requirements based on your country of origin:

• Non-Spanish-Speaking Countries: Residents must live in Costa Rica for seven years.
• Spanish-Speaking Countries: Residents are required to live in Costa Rica for five years.

It doesn’t make any difference if you’ve stayed with the Temporary Residency or switched to the Permanent Residency. The countdown is the same since both are Residencies at the end of the day. So, regardless of whether you have temporary or permanent residency, the residency duration before applying for Costa Rica citizenship remains consistent.

Testing and Conduct Requirements:

• Language and Civic Knowledge: Applicants are required to pass a written test in Spanish and Social Studies, administered by the TSE (Supreme Electoral Court). Applicants over 65 years are exempt from this test. If you fail one of the tests or both, you won’t be able to re-apply for the citizenship process right away.
• Criminal History: Applicants with more than one criminal offense in Costa Rica are permanently barred from obtaining citizenship. The government is trying to avoid threats to the well-being of the community and keeping the population as safe as possible is considered of great importance. It’s crucial to maintain exemplary conduct to ensure eligibility.

Documentation Needs for the Citizenship Process:

• Birth Certificate: You may use the one initially provided for your Costa Rica residency application, although directly obtaining a new apostilled/legalized certificate might avoid delays.
• Criminal Background Check: Note the document will only be valid for three months according to the TSE, therefore, make sure the date of issuance does not go past three months when you hand over the document to your legal team.
• Proof of Financial Solvency: This can be demonstrated via a pension letter or a CPA-generated letter confirming your income, based on your bank statements.
• Legal Representation: A special Power of Attorney is necessary for legal representation during the application process.
• Photographs and Statements: Passport-size photos are required along with two sworn statements—one confirming no criminal history in Costa Rica and another attested by two witnesses vouching for your good community standing.

Process Duration and Final Steps:

The Costa Rica citizenship process typically ranges from ten months to a year and a half. Once approved, you can obtain your naturalization letter and request your Costa Rican cédula, officially making you a Tico or Tica.

For detailed guidance and assistance with how to get Costa Rica citizenship, please get in touch.

Our team at Quatro Legal is eager to support your journey to becoming a part of Costa Rica’s vibrant community!