As Costa Rica has become a popular destination for many foreigners, so too has the desire to acquire Costa Rican citizenship. So if you are one of those that have considered becoming a citizen of Costa Rica this article will break down the process for you. Whether you’re married to a Costa Rican, have Costa Rican parents, or have simply made this country your home over many years, Costa Rica offers several legal pathways to citizenship through naturalization. This guide outlines all the citizenship options under Costa Rica’s Constitution and the Law of Options and Naturalizations (Ley N.º 1155) and other complementary naturalization laws.
According to Article 1 of Law 1155 and article 13 of the Costa Rican Constitution, you are Costa Rican by birth if:
– You are born in Costa Rica to a Costa Rican parent;
– You are born abroad to a Costa Rican parent by birth and registered before age 25;
– You are born in Costa Rica to foreign parents and registered as Costa Rican before age 25;
2. Naturalization Options in Costa Rica
For those not born Costa Rican, naturalization offers several pathways depending on your personal or family situation:
A. Naturalization by Residency (Law 1155)
If you’ve lived legally in Costa Rica for a prolonged period, you may apply for citizenship. This is the most common path for long-term foreign residents.
– 5 years for nationals of Central America, Spain, or Ibero-American countries;
– 7 years for all other nationalities.
Requirements include:
– Proof of legal residency for the required time;
– Clean criminal record from your country of origin;
Language & Civic Knowledge Test: Must demonstrate proficiency in Spanish and knowledge of Costa Rican history (exemptions for elderly or disabled applicants).
– Demonstrated lawful income or means of support;
-Two witness statements
– Oath to abide by Costa Rica’s constitutional order.
Sample Naturalization Petition
Sir Head of the Options and Naturalizations Section
I, (Full name including paternal and maternal surnames, nationality, of legal age, marital status: single, married, widowed, or divorced, profession or occupation, identity document number: residency card, refugee ID card, etc., resident of: indicate exact home address), having officially resided in Costa Rica for the period required by law, hereby respectfully request that I be granted Costa Rican nationality by naturalization, based on the provisions of Law No. 1155 of April 29, 1950 (Law on Options and Naturalizations).
I renounce my nationality of origin. I promise to continue residing regularly and stably in Costa Rica, and I swear to respect the constitutional order of the Republic.
I propose as witnesses: (name, identity document number, and address of two people who know me and can attest to the time I have resided in the country).
For purposes of receiving notifications, I indicate: (Email address, fax number, P.O. Box, or exact address).
C. Naturalization of Adults Born in Costa Rica to Foreign Parents (Law 1916
If you were born in Costa Rica but never opted for citizenship before age 25, you can still apply through this pathway:
– Must have resided in Costa Rica for the constitutionally required time (5 or 7 years based on nationality);
– Must meet the same conditions as residency-based applicants.
D. Naturalization of Adults Born Abroad to a Costa Rican Parent (Law 1902)
If you were born outside of Costa Rica but have a Costa Rican parent (Costa Rica father or mother) by birth, but did not register before age 25, this option is for you.
Proof of parent’s Costa Rican citizenship.
Residency requirement:
5 years for Central Americans, Spaniards, and Ibero-Americans.
7 years for others.
– Must prove parental lineage and meet good conduct and income requirements
For those of you that want to dig deeper on the naturalization topic I am attaching the full text (in Spanish) of the Costa Rica Law of Naturalization and Citizenship Options (Ley de Opciones y Naturalizaciones.
Sir
You can download the official Costa Rica Civil Registry requirements (in Spanish) here:
Marriage to a Costa Rican citizen can lead to citizenship after two years of marriage and continuous residency in Costa Rica.
If you were born outside of Costa Rica but have a Costa Rican parent (Costa Rica father or mother) by birth, but did not register before age 25, this option is for you.
