Jure Sanguinis Citizenship

Your eligibility depends entirely on your age at the time of application and the status of your parent.

Applicants Under Age 25 (Citizenship by Birth)

Under Article 13 of the Constitution, you are considered Costa Rican by birth if you were born abroad to at least one parent who is a Costa Rican by birth.

• The Age Limit: You must be registered in the Registro Civil (Civil Registry) before your 25th birthday.
• Parental Origin: At least one parent must have been born in Costa Rica. If your parent is a "naturalized" Costa Rican, different rules apply, and you generally cannot claim citizenship by birth if born abroad.
• No Residency Required: You do not need to live in Costa Rica or speak Spanish to claim this status, provided you meet the age deadline.

Applicants Over Age 25 (Naturalization by Descent)

If you missed the age 25 deadline, you can no longer claim citizenship "by birth." Instead, you must apply for naturalization under Law No. 1902.

• Legal Residency: You must first move to Costa Rica and obtain a legal residency permit. You must physically reside in the country for a set period:
  • 5 years if you are a national of Central America, Spain, or Ibero-American countries.
  • 7 years for all other nationalities (e.g., USA, Canada, UK).
• Language and History: You must pass an exam on the Spanish language and Costa Rican history/values (applicants over 65 are exempt).
• Parental Proof: You must prove your parent was a Costa Rican citizen at the exact time of your birth.