Costa Rica residency is very achievable, but the paperwork trips up newcomers who gather documents in the wrong order or skip the apostille step. Here are the seven documents most applicants need, along with the details that keep your file from being sent back. Treat this as a starting checklist, then confirm the exact list for your category with an attorney.
1. Valid passport
Your passport must be valid with plenty of time remaining and enough blank pages. You will provide certified copies of the photo page and often every stamped page. Keep it current throughout the process.
2. Birth certificate
An official, recent copy of your birth certificate proves your identity and nationality. It must be apostilled in your home country and then translated into Spanish by an approved official translator in Costa Rica.
3. Police background check
You will need a criminal background check from your home country or the place you have lived recently. In the US this is often an FBI report. It must be apostilled and usually has a short validity window, so request it at the right time, not too early.
4. Proof of income or investment
This is the document that changes most by category. A pension letter, proof of stable monthly income, or evidence of a qualifying investment shows you can support yourself. The specific type and amount depend on which residency path you choose.
5. Marriage certificate (if applicable)
If you are applying with a spouse or through marriage to a Costa Rican, you will need an apostilled and translated marriage certificate. Bring divorce or death certificates too if they are relevant to your status.
6. Passport-style photos and fingerprints
Applications require recent passport photos, and you will complete fingerprinting and registration steps with Costa Rican authorities after you arrive. These are done locally, so you do not need to prepare them abroad.
7. Application forms and fees
You will submit official application forms, proof of paid government fees, and consular registration with your home country embassy. An attorney typically prepares and files these to avoid errors.
What does apostille mean and why does it matter?
An apostille is an international certification that makes your home-country document valid abroad. Without it, Costa Rica will not accept your birth certificate or police report. Get documents apostilled in the issuing country before you leave, because doing it later is slow and expensive.
How should I sequence all of this?
Timing is everything. Documents with expiration windows, like police checks, should be requested near the end of your prep so they do not lapse. A Costa Rican immigration attorney will give you the current list, current validity periods, and the right order for your specific category. You can focus on your future home while they handle the filings. When you are ready to picture that home, our Build Your Home tool is a good place to start.