Costa RicaFamily

Costa Rica spouse residence (marriage to a Costa Rican)

Temporary residence through marriage to a Costa Rican (vínculo matrimonial con costarricense)

In short

A foreigner married to a Costa Rican citizen, or in a de facto union recognised by a Costa Rican court, can apply to the DGME for temporary residence. A marriage celebrated abroad must first be registered with the Costa Rican Civil Registry. Both spouses attend an interview to confirm their details and cohabitation, and the application costs USD 50. After renewing this residence for three consecutive years with proof of cohabitation each year, the spouse can change to permanent residence.

Apply on DGME – Regularización migratoria checked 24 October 2026

Key facts

Fee: US$50Temporary residence application; USD 200 more when changing from a non-resident category.
Path to permanent residence: After three years of renewals with cohabitation proven each year
Where to apply: DGME Foreigners' Service Platform in La Uruca or a regional office

Who can apply

The category is for the foreign spouse of a Costa Rican citizen. A de facto union also qualifies, but it must be recognised by a court: the applicant supplies the judicial resolution certified by the court. When the couple married outside Costa Rica, the marriage has to be registered with the Costa Rican Civil Registry before the residence application.

The DGME also asks for evidence that the spouses knew each other before marrying, and the Professional Migration Police may verify the information that the couple provides.

Documents

The general requirements apply: a signed application, two passport photos, the foreign spouse's birth certificate and criminal record (from the country of origin or legal residence of the last three years), both legalised or apostilled and officially translated into Spanish, certified copies of the passport pages with the entry stamp, the fingerprint receipt and the consular registration receipt.

Specific to this category are the USD 50 payment receipt, the court resolution for a de facto union, proof of mutual acquaintance between the spouses and a copy of the Costa Rican spouse's identity card, certified by a notary or checked against the original at the service platform.

Required documents

Identity

Certified passport copies with entry stamp, two photos and signed application

Family

Marriage registered in the Costa Rican Civil Registry, or court resolution recognising a de facto union
Certified copy of the Costa Rican spouse's identity card
Evidence that the spouses knew each other

Other

Apostilled birth certificate and criminal record of the foreign spouse, translated
USD 50 payment receipt, fingerprint and consular registration receipts

Fees

The temporary residence application costs USD 50, paid in dollars or colones at the BCCR reference rate into Banco de Costa Rica account 242480-0 in the applicant's name. Applicants who are in the country as non-residents and change category pay an additional USD 200.

The joint interview

Both spouses must appear at the Foreigners' Service Platform or the regional office where the file is lodged for an individual interview to ratify their details, which both sign, under article 73 of the General Law on Migration. The interview with a social worker is booked by calling 1311 or through the DGME website. If either spouse does not speak Spanish fluently, they must bring an interpreter.

Register a marriage celebrated abroad with the Costa Rican Civil Registry.
Collect the apostilled and translated personal documents.
Pay USD 50 and file the application at the DGME.
Book and attend the joint interview with a social worker via 1311 or the website.
Renew each year with proof of cohabitation; apply for permanent residence after three years.

Renewal and permanent residence

A foreigner with temporary residence as the spouse of a Costa Rican who has proved cohabitation year after year and renewed the status for three years can change to permanent residence. The change of category costs USD 200; the USD 50 permanent residence application fee is not charged when moving from temporary to permanent residence. Permanent residents may do any paid work.

Frequently asked questions

We married outside Costa Rica. What must we do first?

Register the marriage with the Costa Rican Civil Registry before applying for residence; the DGME requires this for marriages celebrated abroad.

Are unmarried partners eligible?

Yes, if a Costa Rican court has recognised the de facto union; the certified judicial resolution must be filed.

Do both spouses need to attend?

Yes. Both attend an individual interview to ratify their details and cohabitation, with an interpreter if either does not speak Spanish fluently.

When does the spouse become a permanent resident?

After renewing temporary residence for three years with cohabitation proven each year; the change costs USD 200.

Official sources

DGME – Regularización migratoria: Residencia temporal con vínculo matrimonial con persona costarricense; Residencia permanente (archived copy, 2026-06-20) · checked 24 October 2026

Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.