Getting Married in Costa Rica: Requirements and Necessary Documents

Published on April 23, 2026 and written by Cyril Jarnias

Organizing a wedding abroad can be an exciting adventure, but when this special event takes place in the heart of Costa Rica’s lush nature, the experience becomes unforgettable. However, soon-to-be-wed couples must be ready to navigate a thicket of essential paperwork to ensure their union is legally recognized.

By exploring the various administrative procedures required, this article guides you through the required documents, the steps to follow, and useful tips to simplify the process. You will discover how to turn your dreams of a Costa Rica wedding into a reality full of charm and authenticity.

Details of Administrative Procedures for Getting Married in Costa Rica

Administrative Steps to Get Married in Costa Rica

1. Gather the Required Documents

For Foreign Nationals:

• Valid passport.
• Certified and apostilled (or legalized depending on the country of origin) birth certificate.
• Certificate of singleness or sworn declaration of marital status (to be done before a consulate or notary; fees of approximately 55 USD may apply).
• Divorce certificate or death certificate of the previous spouse, if applicable, also apostilled or legalized.
• Background check extract less than six months old, apostilled or legalized.

For Costa Rican Citizens:

• Costa Rican identity card (cédula de identidad).
• Certificate of singleness (certificado de soltería) issued by the Civil Registry.

2. Legalization and Translation of Foreign Documents

• Foreign documents must be apostilled if the country of origin is a member of the Hague Convention.
• For non-member countries, documents must be legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country of origin, then by the Costa Rican consulate.
• All documents not written in Spanish must be translated by an official sworn translator in Costa Rica.

3. Choice of Ceremony Type

Civil Ceremony:

• Can be officiated by a Costa Rican lawyer or notary public.
• The officiant drafts and signs the marriage certificate, then files it with the Civil Registry for registration (3 to 6 weeks to obtain the official marriage certificate).

Religious Ceremony:

• Possible, but only the Catholic ceremony has civil validity if registered with the Civil Registry.
• For other faiths, a separate civil ceremony is required.

4. Marriage Registration

• The lawyer or notary registers the marriage certificate with the Civil Registry.
• Registration time: 3 to 6 weeks on average.
• Once registered, the official marriage certificate can be obtained and, if needed, apostilled for international recognition.

5. Estimated Administrative Fees

6. Timelines for Each Step

• Document collection and legalization: 2 to 8 weeks depending on the country of origin.
• Official translation: 1 to 2 weeks.
• Marriage filing and registration with the Civil Registry: 3 to 6 weeks.
• Obtaining the apostilled marriage certificate: 1 to 2 weeks after registration.

Practical Tips for Legalizing Foreign Documents

• Check if your country is a member of the Hague Convention (apostille) or not (legalization).
• Allow sufficient time to obtain original documents, the apostille or legalization, and the translation.
• Use an official translator recognized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Costa Rica.

Role of the Costa Rican Lawyer or Notary

• Preparation and authentication of the marriage certificate.
• Verification of the validity and compliance of documents.
• Filing and follow-up of registration with the Civil Registry.
• Assistance in obtaining the official marriage certificate and its legalization for international use.

Ceremony Options

Important Note: It is advisable to hire an experienced local lawyer or notary to ensure the file’s compliance and expedite the process.

Good to Know:

Foreign nationals must legalize their documents via an apostille and consult a Costa Rican notary for marriage authentication, while local citizens must provide a “cédula”; allow about a month for processing and variable fees depending on the services chosen. For a religious ceremony, ensure your church is recognized by the Costa Rican state to formalize the union.

Essential Documents for Getting Married in Costa Rica

Detailed list of documents required for a wedding in Costa Rica:

• Valid passport of each future spouse (original and copy).
• Recent birth certificate extract (certified true copy).
• Certificate of marriage capacity, to be requested from the authorities of the country of origin.
• Proof of marital status:
  • If divorced: divorce certificate.
  • If widowed: death certificate of the previous spouse.
• Sworn declaration of intent to marry and/or marital status (usually drafted before a notary or lawyer in Costa Rica).
• Certificate of custom/singleness, sometimes required by certain local authorities or consulates.

Translation and Apostille of Documents

Translations must be done by a sworn translator registered on the official list of the Costa Rican Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The apostille is generally obtained in the country where the document was issued (prefecture, court, competent ministry).

Procedures and Deadlines to Follow

• Complete file preparation can take between 2 weeks and several months depending on local administrative timelines for obtaining certain certificates or apostilles.
• Documents must be sent to the local lawyer/organizer at least 10 days before the ceremony.
• After the celebration, it takes about three months for the Costa Rican civil registry to issue the official certificate. An express service is available with delivery within twelve business days for an additional fee.

Fees Associated with Common Procedures

These amounts are for reference only

• Sworn translation: ~40–80 € per document
• Apostille: ~20 € per document
• Sworn declaration before a consulate/lawyer: ~55 $
• Local notary/legal ceremony: fees vary by provider

Good to Know:

Make sure to have your documents apostilled at embassies or consulates and arrange for Spanish translations, available from sworn translators on-site, while respecting the processing times of a few weeks. Birth certificates must be recent (less than six months old) and a certificate of singleness is sometimes required, so check with local authorities for applicable fees and processing times.

Essential Information for Expats Wishing to Get Married in Costa Rica

Administrative Procedures for Getting Married in Costa Rica

For a wedding in Costa Rica as an expat, several precise steps must be followed and specific documents provided. Here are the procedures to complete and practical tips to facilitate the process.

Documents Required for Expats:

• Valid passport (notarized certified copy)
• Original and recent birth certificate, apostilled or legalized according to your country of origin
• Certificate of singleness or certificate of marriage capacity, also apostilled/translated
• If applicable, a background check (less than 3 months old, apostilled/legalized)
• 5 passport-sized photos
• If the country does not issue certain documents, a sworn declaration before a notary may be required

Marriage Registration Procedure with Costa Rican Authorities:

1. Present all required documents translated into Spanish by a sworn translator recognized by the Costa Rican government.
2. Go before a Costa Rican public notary or to the civil registry office.
3. Provide two adult witnesses who swear under oath to the marital freedom and legal capacity of the spouses.
4. Official registration of the marriage with the Costa Rican Civil Registry.

Translation and Language Formalities:

Any document not written in Spanish must be accompanied by an official translation done by a locally recognized sworn translator.

Local Specifics to Know:

• Minimum age required: 18 years
• Freedom of marital status mandatory (certified)
• Cognitive/volitional capacity verified during filing

If your country does not issue certain supporting documents (e.g., certificate of singleness), it is possible to produce a sworn declaration signed before a Costa Rican notary.

Practical Tips:

• Follow the order of steps carefully to avoid any administrative delays.
• Keep in mind that obtaining/apostille/translation can take several weeks in your home country; start early.
• Official recognition may take a few weeks after the civil ceremony before the final local certificate is issued.
• Contact the competent French/Costa Rican embassy or consulate to obtain updated models/forms and useful contact information:

• French Embassy/Consulate in Costa Rica
• Costa Rican Civil Registry (“Registro Civil”)

Carefully manage each key step with attention to local administrative timelines to ensure a smooth procedure.

Essential Information:
All foreign documents must be apostilled or legalized and then officially translated if necessary. Two witnesses are mandatory during the civil marriage in Costa Rica.

For any specific questions or difficulties related to your national supporting documents, always contact:

• The local French consulate/embassy,
• The immigration authorities (“Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería”),
• A lawyer/notary specialized in Costa Rican international family law.

Good to Know:

Ensure all your documents, such as a valid passport, birth certificate, and certificate of singleness, are translated by a sworn translator and allow time for obtaining the marriage registration with Costa Rican authorities; do not hesitate to contact embassies for practical advice to avoid delays due to additional formalities.

Practical Tips to Simplify Wedding Formalities in Costa Rica

Key steps to simplify wedding formalities in Costa Rica:

• Prepare all required documents in advance:
• Original and recent birth certificate, apostille and legalization mandatory.
• Certificate of non-remarriage or affidavit of single status.
• Divorce decree or death certificate of the previous spouse (if applicable).
• Certified copies of passport.

Check the need for a special power of attorney, signed by a public notary if you authorize someone to act on your behalf.

Obtain an official translation of foreign documents. Translations must be done by a sworn translator and then apostilled.

Advantages of a Local Lawyer or Specialized Coordinator:

• Mastery of local administrative procedures and legal specifics.
• Complete management of procedures with Costa Rican authorities.
• Significant reduction in the risk of errors in file preparation.

Importance and Methods of Translation:

Documents written in a language other than Spanish require a certified translation by a sworn translator. This step is essential for official acceptance when filing at the town hall or before a Costa Rican notary.

Tips on the Optimal Time to Submit Documents:

Submit all files at least two to three months before the planned wedding date to anticipate delays related to the apostille, translations, and any additional checks requested by the local civil registry.

Tip: Always check the required validity period (e.g., birth certificate extract less than six months old) before any submission.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

• Incomplete, non-legalized, or poorly translated documents
• Expired dates (certificates too old)
• Missing apostille on certain documents
• Incorrect spelling of names/first names across different forms

Checklist:

• Systematically check each required document
• Carefully read each administrative form
• Inquire with the consulate/embassy before any final steps

⎸Rigorous preparation ⎸ + ⎸Professional support⎸ = Simplified formalities and a serene wedding in Costa Rica

Good to Know:

Prepare your birth certificates and identification documents well before your trip, and consider consulting a local lawyer to navigate the administrative procedures. Ensure all necessary documents are translated by a sworn translator and check the legal deadlines on the Costa Rican government website.

Cyril Jarnias

Cyril Jarnias is an independent expert in international wealth management with over 20 years of experience. As an expatriate himself, he is dedicated to helping individuals and business leaders build, protect, and pass on their wealth with complete peace of mind.

On his website, cyriljarnias.com, he shares his expertise on international real estate, offshore company formation, and expatriation.

Thanks to his expertise, he offers sound advice to optimize his clients' wealth management. Cyril Jarnias is also recognized for his appearances in many prestigious media outlets such as BFM Business, les Français de l’étranger, Le Figaro, Les Echos, and Mieux vivre votre argent, where he shares his knowledge and know-how in wealth management.

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