Authentication of a document’s signature by the Consul means a recognition of the public character of the person who signed, therefore confirming the veracity of his or her signature.

Documents that can be authenticated:

• Birth certificate
  Certificate of divorce
  Certificate of single status
  Criminal record
  Death certificate
  Emission statements
  Employment certificate
  Health certificate
  Marriage certificate
  Powers of Attorney
  Proof of income
  Trademark registry
  Certificate of Free Sale

• For any other document, please contact the Consulate of your jurisdiction

If you need to authenticate any other document not included in the list above, please inquire with the Consulate responsible for the jurisdiction where the document was issued in order to determine if the document can be authenticated.

Procedure

In order to obtain the authentication of your document, please follow systematically the following procedure:

1. Identify the authority/state by which the document was issued.

2. Identify the Consulate with jurisdiction over the state where the document was issued (please note that the Consulate in Washington, DC has jurisdiction over the 50 states)

3. Prior to sending the document to the appropriate Consulate, please identify the type of document:  a) Public documents:  issued by a Governmental authority; b) Private documents:  issued by anybody else.

4. Private documents should first be notarized/certified by a Notary Public from the state where the document was issued.  The signature of the Notary Public should be further authenticated by the Secretary of State of the state where the document was issued or in the District of Columbia, submit the documents to:  441 Fourth Street, NW – Ste. 1C090, Washington, DC 20001;  Tel: (202) 727 3117.  For information on authentications by state call: 1-800-688-9889 or visit the authentications website.

5. Public documents do not need to be certified by a Notary Public, but should always be authenticated by the Secretary of State where the document was issued, before sending them to the appropriate Consulate.  Please note that the U.S. Department of State should also authenticate documents issued by federal offices and/or departments in Washington, D.C.:  Authentications office:  518 23rd Street, NW;  Washington, DC 20520; 
   Tel (202) 647 5002.    

6. Mail/bring the document to the appropriate Consulate for its authentication.

Please inquire with the Consulate of the jurisdiction in case you still have questions regarding the authentication process. 

Fees

Please enclose payment according to the following list of documents. Payment for the exact amount must be done in cash, money order or cashiers check.  Please note that no refunds will be made.  We do not accept personal checks. All cashiers or company checks must be payable to Consulate of Costa Rica. 

Duration

Once the document is received at the Consulate, granted that the document complies with all requirements stated above and fees are included, it will normally be processed in 3 days (this may vary at each Consulate, please verify with Consular staff).

Documents sent by mail or courier

Normally, documents can be processed by mail.  If you intend to do the procedure by mail, please enclose, along with the fees, a self-addressed and stamped envelope or a self-addressed prepaid courier envelope to return the documents to you.

We will not assume responsibility for documents sent via regular mail or which include instructions to be sent back by regular mail.  We will not return any document unless there is a prepaid envelope attached to it.