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Getting Married in Costa Rica

1. Legal Requirements 
  • Birth Certificates authenticated by the nearest Costa Rican Consulate 
  • Copies of the bride and groom's passports (first two pages with picture) 
  • Certification or Affidavit of Single Status given by a Governmental Office or by a Notary Public 
  • Two witnesses (not-indispensable) and passport copies of each 
  • The bride, groom and witnesses must fill in the personal information requested in the form provided by our firm. 

                For divorcees, please add the following:

  • Divorce Decrees authenticated by the nearest Costa Rican Consulate for divorcees 
  • Medical Certification of a negative pregnancy exam of the bride if her last divorce took place within the last 12 months, also authenticated by the nearest Costa Rican Consulate. 

2. Legal Procedure

Mail the original documents above mentioned, or fax copies to our offices. When faxing the documents, please provide all the originals at the time of the ceremony.* 

  • A Costa Rican Notary Public from our firm will process the documentation and prepare the official marriage deed and provisional certification of marriage. 
  • The marrying couple should set the place and time of the ceremony with the Notary Public in advance. 
  • The ceremony will consist in the reading of the marriage deed by the Notary and the acceptance and signing of the marrying couple. 
  • The Notary Public will give the newlyweds a Provisional Marriage Certificate. 
  • The Notary Public will also start the registration of the marriage at the Civil Registry. The registration procedure will take approximately 2-3 months. 
  • The Marriage Certificate issued by the Civil Registry may be mailed to the newlyweds once the marriage is duly registered. This is done upon the couple`s express request only. 

3. Accommodations 

  • All couples getting married through our firm will be given a special
    10% discount on regular rates at the DON CARLOS HOTEL    (tel. (506) 221-6707
Web page: Click here for Don Carlos Hotel website
fax. (506)255-0828    e-mail:  hotel@doncarlos.co.cr . 
 
  • The DON CARLOS HOTEL is both a museum and Costa Rica's most traditional hotel. It is a unique 36 room hotel that contains that true and rich heritage of the old San Jose located in the oldest residential area near downtown. The DON CARLOS HOTEL has become a landmark for those interested in the history and customs of the Costa Rican Central Valley. BOUTIQUE ANNEMARIE, located in the hotel`s main lobby has the largest souvenir selection and the best prices in the country, and over 100,000 handcrafted items and pieces of art on display. 
    •  
     
  • The DON CARLOS TOURS, also located within the DON CARLOS HOTEL, offers the best options for enjoying Costa Rica`s natural and historical attractions.
  • For reservations and more information please visit the DON CARLOS HOTEL Website at: http://www.doncarlos.co.cr 
     
  • Reservations for your stay at the Hotel Don Carlos should be made directly with the Hotel. Please ask for your special 10% discount at the time of making your reservation. 
     
  • You may also request a free brochure by calling or contacting our offices. 


    • 4. Special Options: There are special options that the couple can request which we will try to fulfill. A couple can choose to get married in the downtown San Jose‚ area or if they prefer, in a beach resort, farm, lodge, cabin, house, etc for an additional cost (see number 5 for costs).
     
    You may also prepare your own personal vows or poems to be read during the ceremony. Music and photography can be provided for the ceremony for a reasonable cost. Flower arrangements can also be provided upon the couple's request. Our office staff can arrange these special options if the bride or groom prefers. For other non-specified details please send us your ideas. 

     *Please confirm your wedding date and send us all necessary documentation with at least 15 days of anticipation, in all cases. 

    5. Costs:

    • The marriage ceremony is US$200 which includes copies of the marriage documents, witnesses, and the provisional marriage certificate. 
  • If you are a guest at the Hotel Don Carlos, flower arrangements, music, wedding toast, etc. can be provided for your event for a special cost. Please check with them for prices. 
     
  • The Certification of Affidavit is US$100. 
    •  
    Additional costs to get married in a place outside the city limit (beach resort, farm, house, cabin, etc.) will depend on the traveling expenses of our attorneys and office staff. 

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    Crinet and its associated law firm, TACSAN & UMAÑA, will be glad to provide you further information and advice on these and other legal matters. Please feel free to contact us by phone or by fax at the following numbers: ph. (506) 2223-6140, and fax (506) 2233-5804. E-mail address: info@tacuma.net