Migratory Procedures
Passports
Costa Ricans can either:
▪ Get their passport for the first time
▪ Renew it by expiration,
▪ Request a new one due to deterioration, loss or theft. (In case of loss or theft, the applicant must provide the corresponding complaint)
Consult the duration of the passport delivery, cost and availability of appointments at the Consulate.
Passport application for the first time for people under 18
Appointment: please send an email to concr-ke@rree.go.cr
Cost: It varies according to the geographical location of the consular office.
Approximate duration: Fifteen days after receiving the information at the General Migration Office in Costa Rica.
Requirements:
1. To request a new passport for a minor, both parents must attend the Consulate. If one of the parents is in Costa Rica, they must go to the General Migration Office in San José to carry out the respective procedure; and if they are in another country, they must attend to the nearest Consulate to grant authorization. It will not be until the communication with the authorization to carry out the procedure by the Migration Office is provided that the Consul is authorized to make the appointment to receive the information and request the preparation of the travel document.
2. Minors over 12 years old must present the Minor’s Identity Card (TIM) -valid and in good condition- and a legible copy of it. Minors whose age ranges between 0 and 11 years and 11 months must present a birth certificate issued by the Civil Registry, and it must be a good condition (with less than one year of issuance).
3. Copy of the identity card of both parents, or the Costa Rican residence card or passport in case of foreigners, in non-expired and in good condition.
4. If the parents are in the country as tourists, they must present their valid passports and in good condition and legible photocopy of the sheet where their data appears.
5. If they present a power of attorney in the absence of one of the parents, it must be protocolized.
6. Proof of bank deposit.
Institutional link: https://www.migracion.go.cr/Documentos%20compartidos/Pasaportes/Renovaci%c3%b3n%20de%20Pasaporte.pdf
Application for renewal of passport for people who are 18 years and older
Quote: Please send an email to concr-ke@rree.go.cr
Cost: Varies according to the geographical location of the consular workshop.
Approximate duration: Fifteen days after receiving the information at the General Migration Office in Costa Rica.
Requirements:
1. A valid National identity card (cédula).
2. Legible copy of both sides of the identity card (cédula). Write in the copy the exact address and the phone number of the place where you live.
3. Proof of bank deposit.
4. If the passport is valid, it must be presented. If it is expired, it will not be necessary to bring it.
5. In the event of a request for loss, robbery or retention of the passport, it will be necessary to present the report to the police or the declaration form of robbery, loss or retention.
Institutional link: https://www.migracion.go.cr/Documentos%20compartidos/Pasaportes/Renovaci%c3%b3n%20de%20Pasaporte.pdf
Application for renewal of passport for persons under the age of 18
Appointment: Please send an email to concr-ke@rree.go.cr
Cost: Varies depending on the geographical location of the consular office.
Approximate duration: Fifteen days after receiving the information at the General Migration Office in Costa Rica.
Requirements:
1. The minor and his/her parent or legal representative. If it is not necessary to make changes to the minor’s travel permit, it will not be necessary that both parents attend; only one of them can attend.
2. For minors over 12 years old, the identity card of the minor (TIM) is necessary to be presented: non-expired and in good condition, as well as a legible copy. The minor between 0 and 11 years and 11 months must present a birth certificate issued by the Civil Registry, non-expired and in good condition (with less than one year issued).
3. Copy of the identity card of both parents, if Costa Ricans or a copy of the legal residence in Costa Rica, non-expired and in good condition, even if only one of them attend personally.
4. If the parents are in the country as tourists, they must present their current passport and a legible photocopy of the passport page where the personal information shows.
5. If a power of attorney is presented in the absence of one of the parents, it must be a protocolized Special Power.
6. Proof of bank deposit.
7. In the event of a request for loss, robbery or retention of the passport, it will be necessary to present the report to the police or the declaration form of robbery, loss or retention.
Institutional link: https://www.migracion.go.cr/Documentos%20compartidos/Pasaportes/Renovaci%c3%b3n%20de%20Pasaporte.pdf
Travel document (safe-conduct or laissez-passer)
The laissez-passer is the travel document issued exceptionally to allow a Costa Rican citizen to return to Costa Rica or to his place of residence when destroyed, lost or stolen passport.
Appointment: please contact concr-ke@rree.go.cr
Cost: According to the consular tariff.
Approximate duration: Document isued at the consulate. Consider the consultation time with the General Migration Office of Costa Rica, especially for minors or particular circumstances.
Requirements:
1. An application explaining the circumstances of emergency or force majeure, which prevents the applicant from obtaining the ordinary passport, also attaching a document as proof.
2. Original and copy on both sides of the identity card, non-expired and in good condition.
3. Two recent passport-sized photographs.
4. Legal complaint or affidavit about the loss or theft of the passport.
5. Copy of the air or land ticket back to Costa Rica (or itinerary).
6. Detailed justification of the situation whereby it is impossible to issue the passport, signed by the applicant and by the Consul.
7. Epicrisis or medical certificate if the urgency is due to illness.
8. Proof of bank deposit.
9. Consult for information about additional requirements, please send an email to concr-ke@rree.go.cr
Institutional link: http://www.pgrweb.go.cr/scij/Busqueda/Normativa/Normas/nrm_texto_completo.aspx?nValor1=1&nValor2=71185
Travel document for a minor (safe-conduct or laissez-passer)
Appointment: Please send an email to concr-ke@rree.go.cr
Cost: According to the consular tariff.
Approximate duration: Document issued at the Consulate. Consider the consultation time to the General Migration Office of Costa Rica in the case of minors.
Requirements:
1. To complete the application form for a laissez-passer provided at the respective Consulate. Both parents must sign.
2. Original birth certificate with less than one year of issuance or Child Identity Card (TIM)-valid and in good condition- and legible photocopy when it is over 12 years old.
3. Legal claim or affidavit of the loss or theft of the passport.
4. Two passport-sized photographs, recent and in good condition.
5. Statement signed by both parents. If one of the parents is in Costa Rica, they must go to the Central or Regional Offices of the Migration Offices (DGME).
6. Original and photocopy on both sides of the parents’ identity cards, non-expired and in good condition.
7. Copy of the air or land ticket back to Costa Rica (or itinerary).
8. Detailed justification of the situation whereby it is impossible to issue the passport, signed by both parents and by the Consul.
9. Epicrisis or medical certificate if the urgency is due to illness.
10. Proof of bank deposit.
11. Check with the Consulate for information about additional requirements. Please send an email to concr-ke@rree.go.cr
Institutional link: http://www.pgrweb.go.cr/scij/Busqueda/Normativa/Normas/nrm_texto_completo.aspx?nValor1=1&nValor2=71185
Temporary Minor’s Travel Permit
License or consent granted to the minor person so that he or she can leave the country. Authorization must be accredited by those who exercise legal representation, either in parental authority (parental rights) or by a judicial or administrative resolution, when indicated.
All minors, Costa Ricans or foreigners with legal residence in Costa Rica, need authorization from their parents or legal representatives to leave the Costa Rican territory.
Appointment: Please send an email to concr-ke@rree.go.cr
Cost: Free.
Approximate duration: It is issued at the Consulate and is sent to the General Directorate of Migration and Foreigners digitally. Permanent permits must be processed personally at the General Directorate of Migration of Costa Rica.
Applies to:
1. Costa Ricans, even if they have dual citizenship (Costa Rican and other).
2. Foreign minors who have legal permanence under the migratory categories of permanent resident, temporary resident and special categories of students, refugees, asylees and stateless people.
3. The under-aged mothers contemplated in the previous two points, except those who are married.
Requirements:
1. Passport of the minor who is requesting the permit, non-expired and in good condition.
2. Copy of the passport’s page showing the minor’s personal information
3. Adolescents over 12 years old must present the Minor’s Identity Card (TIM)-in good condition and non-expired- as well as a legible copy of it. In these cases, the birth certificate will not be accepted.
Minors whose age ranges between 0 and 11 years and 11 months must present a Birth Certificate issued by the Civil Registry in force and good condition (with less than one year of issuance).
4. In the case of resident minors, they must present a copy of the DIMEX document granted by the Migration Office and a certified copy of the birth certificate legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship of Costa Rica, or apostilled in the country of origin. If this document was issued in a language other than Spanish, it must be accompanied by the corresponding official translation. Failing that, a copy of the birth certificate that appears in the residence record duly sealed and signed by the Gestation de Extranjería Officer.
5. Two recent photographs of the minor, passport size with a white background.
6. If the parents or legal representatives are Costa Ricans, they must present the ID and a copy of the cédula in good condition. If they are residents, they must present the original and copy of the residence card, non-expired and in good condition. If they are non-resident foreigns, they must present the original and a copy of the passport showing the personal information.
7. Complete the form provided at the Consulate.
8. In case of absence or conflict of parental authority, the judicial resolution must be presented.
9. If one of the parents is outside Costa Rica, he or she must go to the nearest Costa Rican Consulate to give the authorization for the minor’s travel permit.
10. In the case of a person of legal age authorized by PANI, PANI must submit the resolution.
11. In the case of a legally declared guardian, the birth certificate issued by the Civil Registry showing the tutoring registration must be presented. If one of the parents has their parental authority suspended, whether there is a judicially declared guardian or a judicial resolution, the final judicial resolution must be presented.
12. If one of the parents is absent, the other parent may process their child’s passport with a power of attorney. To identify the person or people authorized to accompany the minor and the link with the child. In cases where the minor travels alone or in an unaccompanied condition, it must expressly indicate in a power of attorney.
In the case of the express refusal of one of the parents or legal representative and prolonged absence of one of the parents, the travel permit must process before a competent judge.
The minor does not need to attend in order to apply for the exit permit.
For each minor, even if they belong to the same family group, the requirements must be presented independently.
Institutional link: https://www.migracion.go.cr/Documentos%20compartidos/Pasaportes/Permiso%20de%20Salida%20Temporal.pdf