Costa Rica Reciprocity Schedule


Visa Classification Fee Number of Applications Validity Period
A-1 None Multiple 48 Months
A-2 None Multiple 48 Months
A-3 [1] None Multiple 12 Months
B-1 None Multiple 120 Months
B-2 None Multiple 120 Months
B-1/B-2 None Multiple 120 Months
C-1 None Multiple 60 Months
C-1/D None Multiple 60 Months
C-2 None Multiple 12 Months
C-3 None Multiple 60 Months
D None Multiple 60 Months
E-1 [2] None Multiple 60 Months
E-2 [2] None Multiple 60 Months
F-1 None Multiple 60 Months
F-2 None Multiple 60 Months
G-1 None Multiple 48 Months
G-2 None Multiple 48 Months
G-3 None Multiple 48 Months
G-4 None Multiple 48 Months
G-5 [1] None Multiple 12 Months
H-1B None Multiple 60 Months [3]
H-1C None Multiple 60 Months [3]
H-2A None Multiple 60 Months [3]
H-2B None Multiple 60 Months [3]
H-2R None Multiple 60 Months [3]
H-3 None Multiple 60 Months [3]
H-4 None Multiple 60 Months [3]
I None Multiple 60 Months
J-1 [4] None Multiple 60 Months
J-2 [4] None Multiple 60 Months
K-1 None One 6 Months
K-2 None One 6 Months
K-3 None Multiple 24 Months
K-4 None Multiple 24 Months
L-1 None Multiple 60 Months [3]
L-2 None Multiple 60 Months [3]
M-1 None Multiple 60 Months
M-2 None Multiple 60 Months
N-8 None Multiple 48 Months
N-9 None Multiple 48 Months
NATO 1-7 N/A N/A N/A
O-1 None Multiple 60 Months [3]
O-2 None Multiple 60 Months [3]
O-3 None Multiple 60 Months [3]
P-1 None Multiple 60 Months [3]
P-2 None Multiple 60 Months [3]
P-3 None Multiple 60 Months [3]
P-4 None Multiple 60 Months [3]
Q-1 [6] None Multiple 15 Months [3]
R-1 None Multiple 60 Months
R-2 None Multiple 60 Months
S-5 [7] None One 1 Month
S-6 [7] None One 1 Month
S-7 [7] None One 1 Month
T-1 [9] N/A N/A N/A
T-2 None One 6 Months
T-3 None One 6 Months
T-4 None One 6 Months
T-5 None One 6 Months
TD [5] N/A N/A N/A
U-1 None One 1 Month
U-2 None One 1 Month
U-3 None One 1 Month
U-4 None One 1 Month
U-5 None One 1 Month
V-1 None Multiple 120 Months
V-2 None Multiple 120 Months [8]
V-3 None Multiple 120 Months [8]

Documents

Birth Certificates

Available. The civil registry of San Jose (Registro Civil) issues certificates of all births in Costa Rica subsequent to January 1, 1888, the date the registry was established. Births prior to that date may be evidenced by a baptismal certificate (Fe de Bautismo) issued by an ecclesiastical authority of the Roman Catholic Church. There may be a fee for this service. If a birth subsequent to that date is found not to be recorded in the Civil Registry, it may usually be recorded therein on the basis of a certification from the civil or ecclesiastical authorities of the place of birth.

This certificate, consisting of a full copy of the entry in the registry, is typed on fiscal paper, headed by the name and title of the issuing official, and bears a revenue stamp. There may be a fee for this service. Also valid is a certified copy of the microfilmed entry in the Civil Registry, as long as the Civil Registrar's official stamp is placed on the back.

Birth records are routinely changed in the case of adoptions to read in the names of the adoptive parents. A birth certificate of an adopted child cannot be distinguished from that of a natural child.

Adoption, Marriage, Divorce, and Death Certificates

Available from the Civil Registry are the following documents: Marriage Certificates, Death Certificates, Divorce Certificates, Adoption Certificates, Legitimation Certificates, and records regarding "recognition." A fee may be charged for any of these services.

Under Costa Rican law, "recognition" of a natural child, while not constituting legitimation, confers most rights of legitimation, such as name, support, and inheritance. Abbreviated forms of marriage certificates (Constancia de Matrimonio) and death certificates (Constancia de Defuncion) are also available.

Certificates showing that an individual has opted for Costa Rican citizenship and certificates of naturalization (Carta de Naturalizacion) are available from Registro Civil, Seccion de Opciones y Naturalizaciones. There may be a fee for this service. Replacement naturalization certificates cannot be obtained. If it is lost, a certificate will be issued verifying the naturalization. There may be a fee for this service.

Police Records

Costa Rican police certificates may be obtained only through an official request. Instructions and the required letter of request are available from the Embassy's consular section.

Prison Records

Unavailable.

Military Records

Unavailable, since Costa Rica does not have an armed force.

Special Clearance and Issuance Procedures

None.

Visa Issuing Post

San Jose, Costa Rica (Embassy)

Consular Section
Unit 2501
APO AA 34020

Visa Services

All visa categories for all of Costa Rica.