Costa Rica is generous and straightforward here. A child born in the United States to a Costa Rican father or mother is entitled to Costa Rican nationality, dual nationality is permitted, and Costa Ricans by birth cannot be deprived of their nationality for acquiring another.
Quick facts
The practical work is the registration covered on the civil records page. Once the child is entered in the civil registry, the identity card and the passport follow in the ordinary way.
The sequence
| Step | What it produces | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Apostille the U.S. birth certificate | A usable document | $3–$25 |
| Official translation | Spanish version | Per page |
| Registration in the civil registry | Costa Rican nationality recorded | Free |
| Identity card | National identification | Free |
| Passport | Travel document | Around $100 |
Naturalised Costa Ricans are in a different position from Costa Ricans by birth, and anyone considering renouncing or acquiring nationality should take advice on which rules apply to them.
How to apply
- Obtain the child’s U.S. birth certificate and have it apostilled.
- Arrange the official translation in Costa Rica.
- Choose between registering in Costa Rica in person and using the consulate.
- Attend with your valid identity card and a copy of both sides.
- Apply for the child’s identity card once the registration is complete.
- Apply for the passport when it is needed.
Required documents
- Child’s U.S. birth certificate, apostilled and translated.
- Costa Rican parent’s valid identity card, both sides copied.
- Parents’ marriage certificate where applicable.
- Photographs where an identity card is applied for.
- Proof of address in the consular district.
- Completed forms for the specific service.
Where to apply
At the civil registry in Costa Rica, or at the consulate covering your state.
No offices currently listed.
Additional notes
Register before it is urgent
The registration itself is free and the only real delay is administrative. Doing it early avoids scrambling before a trip.
Voting from abroad
Costa Ricans can vote in national elections at consulates, which requires being correctly registered and holding a valid identity card.
Travel documents
Dual nationals enter and leave Costa Rica on the Costa Rican passport and the United States on the U.S. one.
Keep the card current
An identity card expired more than ten years brings the two-witness requirement back into play.