Getting Married in Costa Rica

Quick reference

Step-by-step requirements

Follow these steps in order. Most are completed weeks before travel; the in-country portion typically takes 1-3 days depending on the destination.

1. 1

   Each partner provides a valid passport, an apostilled birth certificate translated into Spanish, and an apostilled affidavit of single status.

2. 2

   If divorced or widowed, an apostilled divorce decree or death certificate (translated into Spanish) is required.

3. 3

   Two witnesses over 18 with valid passports must be present at the civil ceremony.

4. 4

   A licensed Costa Rican attorney (notario público) performs the civil marriage; the attorney handles registration with the Costa Rican Civil Registry on the couple's behalf.

5. 5

   The marriage is recognized internationally; the apostilled Costa Rican marriage certificate is accepted at home without additional legalization.

Documents you'll need

• →Valid passport (6+ months remaining validity)
• →Apostilled and translated birth certificate
• →Apostilled affidavit of single status
• →Apostilled divorce decree (if previously married)
• →Death certificate of former spouse if widowed (apostilled + translated)

Timeline

No residency or in-country waiting period. Couples can arrive the day of the ceremony, marry, and depart. The Costa Rican attorney files the certificate with the Civil Registry within 8 days, and the apostilled certificate is typically available within 2-3 weeks via mail.

Cost breakdown

Legal costs run $300-$500 USD: apostille and translation ($80-$150 per document in the home country), Costa Rican attorney fee ($150-$300 for the ceremony plus registration), apostille of the final certificate ($50-$100), and FedEx for the certificate ($50-$80).

Already married? Symbolic ceremony option

Costa Rica's no-residency rule makes legal marriage genuinely practical here, so most couples opt for the civil ceremony. If you prefer to legalize at home, the symbolic option works equally well at eco-luxury venues like Nayara, Hotel Belmar, and Kura Design Villas.

Same-sex marriage recognition

Same-sex marriage has been legal in Costa Rica since May 2020. The same requirements apply to all couples without distinction.