Legal Requirements to Get Married in Costa Rica
can I get married legally in Costa rica?
Yes, you can legally get married in Costa Rica.
Foreigners can marry here with no residency requirement, and the process is handled by a local attorney.
Here’s what you need to know:
• A valid passport
• Two witnesses
• A sworn statement (your lawyer will help with this)
• A Costa Rican attorney or notary to perform the ceremony
Most couples are surprised by how simple the process is.
This is fantastic news! You want your destination wedding to be relaxing and enjoyable, like the exotic vacation that it is.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at the 3 easy requirements to get married legally in Costa Rica.
You most certainly can get married legally in Costa Rica! There are three basic legal requirements you need to meet to get married legally as foreigners in Costa Rica. They are:
- Have a legal officiant in Costa Rica
The good news is that finding an officiant isn’t difficult. You can contact one directly yourself. Or I can recommend one based on where your wedding is. This is their specialty, so the ceremonies are amazing.
- Have a valid passport
All you really need to get married is your passport that is valid for six months. Since you can’t even get into the country without one, you should be covered.One of the main requirements to get married in Costa Rica is a valid passport. Your passport must be valid for at least six months, which most couples already have when traveling for their wedding.
- Have two witnesses
To legally get married in Costa Rica, you’ll need two witnesses at your ceremony. They will need to provide basic contact information and show a valid passport. My assistant and I would be happy to be the witnesses if it is just an elopement.
1. When Should I Contact an Officiant?
Contact an officiant well before your wedding date. Although the process isn’t too complicated, keep in mind that this isn’t Vegas. You can’t just show up in the country with your passport in hand and ask to get married.
The good news is that finding an officiant isn’t difficult. You can contact one directly yourself. Or an easier route is through the venue or hotel you are planning to use. Most will have an on-site officiant or can recommend and contact one for you.
Lawyers perform most destination weddings in Costa Rica as that is the easiest option in this country.
2. What Documents Do I Need?
Bringing the right documents in most cases is a cinch. All you really need to get married is your passport that is valid for six months. Since you can’t even get into the country without one, you should be covered.
Note that you cannot use driver’s licenses or social security numbers for ID. As a foreigner in Costa Rica, a passport is the only valid form.
Generally, your officiant will send you a form that asks for all your basic information, personal data, occupation, names of the parents of the bride and groom, etc. You should provide this information to your officiant at least a couple of weeks before your wedding date.
3. How Many Witnesses Do I Need?
You will need at least two witnesses for the ceremony. If you’re coming to Costa Rica with an entourage this requirement won’t be difficult at all.
Your two chosen witnesses just need to be 18 or older and provide basic contact information. Family members are welcome — the old restriction on relatives was ruled unconstitutional. If it’s just the two of you, my assistant and I are happy to be your witnesses.
Even if you’ve decided to come to Costa Rica alone, you don’t have to worry. My assistant and I have been the two witnesses at countless marriages. Also, many hotels will have staff you can use.
Should You Get Married Legally in Costa Rica?
Most couples are surprised by how easy it is to get married legally in Costa Rica.
In most cases, all you need to do is send photos of your passports to a destination wedding officiant. They handle the paperwork and make sure your marriage is legal in your home country.
It’s a simple process, and you don’t need to manage the details yourself. If you prefer to take care of the legal paperwork at home, you can also have a symbolic wedding here and focus on the experience of the day.
For a complete overview of planning your Costa Rica wedding — costs, venues, timing, and what to expect — see the full guide: Getting Married in Costa Rica.
Planning a Costa Rica wedding?
If you’re planning a destination wedding here, I can help with more than just the legal side. As a wedding photographer in Costa Rica, I photograph weddings across Tamarindo and Guanacaste and help couples understand how the day will actually flow, from ceremony timing to light and location.
Other Considerations
Church Weddings
If you have your heart set on a church wedding it is possible to arrange one as the country is 90% Roman Catholic. However, keep in mind that there may be other requirements such as pre-marriage classes, etc.
To a lesser degree, you can find Christian pastors but if you follow another religion such as Buddhism, Islam, or Judaism it would be a good idea to bring your own officiant. Whichever of these options you choose you will still have to contact a Costa Rican lawyer to handle the paperwork for you. The only religious officiants recognized in Costa Rica are priests in the Catholic church.
Divorce Paperwork
If you have been divorced, the process is simpler than you might expect. Costa Rica made two significant changes that removed the biggest obstacles for divorced couples.
In the past, you needed to bring a copy of your divorce decree and wait at least 300 days after your divorce before you could remarry in Costa Rica. Both of those requirements were ruled unconstitutional.
Today, you just tell your officiant the date of your divorce. That’s it. No paperwork, no waiting period, no trips to a consulate.
What Documents Do You Actually Need on the Wedding Day?
Most couples expect paperwork. There isn’t any — at least not on the day itself. Your officiant prepares a sworn statement based on the information you send ahead of time. You both sign it on the wedding day. That sworn statement covers everything: your marital status, divorce history, and personal details. You don’t need to bring your passports to the ceremony, and nothing needs to be notarized.
About a month before your wedding, send your officiant a copy of your passport — just the photo page. They handle everything from there. No consulate visits, no extra fees, no stress.
Is a Legal Wedding in Costa Rica Recognized in My Home Country?
Yes. A legal marriage performed in Costa Rica is recognized in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and most countries worldwide.
After your ceremony, your officiant registers the marriage with the Costa Rican Civil Registry. You will receive your official marriage certificate at the address you provide, typically within 12 weeks.
No additional steps are needed to have it recognized at home.
Same-sex couples are fully welcome in Costa Rica and the legal process is identical for all couples. For everything you need to know, see: Is Same-Sex Marriage Legal in Costa Rica?
Legal Marriage…Check!
And that’s it! A pretty painless process. This could very well the easiest part of your exotic destination wedding to organize. You’ll probably spend more time picking out a suit and agonizing over how to do the bride’s hair.
Afterward, the lawyer will register your documents with the Civil Registry of Costa Rica. Once the Consulate in your country of residence translates and authenticates the marriage certificate, you will receive the documents at the address you provided to the officiant. Usually takes about 12 weeks to receive that paperwork.
If you’re still deciding where to get married, these Costa Rica wedding venues are a good place to start.
Need more help with your wedding? Click the link below to learn more about wedding packages in Costa Rica:
