Getting married in Costa Rica
A legally binding civil marriage via a notario público needs no residency, no waiting period, and no blood test — the certificate just arrives weeks after the ceremony.
Verified June 18, 2026. General planning guidance, not legal advice — rules change and vary by region and circumstance. Confirm with the official source below and your venue or travel advisor before booking.
Required documents
- Valid passports
- Sworn declaration of single status (before the notary or a US consular officer)
- Apostilled birth certificate and/or civil-status certificate if the notary requests (varies)
- Two adult witnesses with ID (need not be Costa Rican)
- Apostilled + Spanish-translated divorce/death/annulment records if previously married
Residency requirement
None. Couples can marry on a standard 90-day tourist entry with no waiting period.
Blood test
Not required.
Apostille & translation
Foreign civil documents must be apostilled (both countries are Hague members) and any non-Spanish document translated to Spanish by an authorized translator. Apostille/translation most reliably applies to prior-marriage documents.
Estimated fees (USD)
~$300–$2,000 depending on provider. Bare-bones notary packages start ~$300; full legal packages (fees, translation, La Gaceta publication) commonly $1,500–$2,000.
Processing time
Ceremony and marriage deed prepared on the day; the official certificate issues after the notary registers with the Registro Civil — typically ~3 weeks (with translation/mailing, ~4–8 weeks).
Legal ceremony or symbolic?
A legal civil marriage via a Costa Rican notary (always a licensed attorney) is common and US-recognized. Just plan for the certificate to arrive weeks later.
Source: U.S. Citizen Services — U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica
Last verified June 18, 2026 · we re-check quarterly
Note: Same-sex marriage legal since 2020. Exact document requirements vary by notary/planner — confirm with your officiant.