COSTA RICAN IDENTIFICATION CARD (CÉDULA) FOR THE FIRST TIME
Requirements:
1. Request letter in Spanish indicating an email or phone number for notifications. Please indicate the desired electoral domicile. You can choose one of the following options:
- Embassy of Costa Rica in Berlin, if you want to vote in Germany. Click here to learn more about voting abroad.
- Adress in Costa Rica.
2. Filled out application form.
3. 2 Photos that fulfill the following specifications:
- Background: Preferably light gray and if not white
- The shoulders must be located at the bottom corners of the photo
- Exact size: 5 cm (h) x 4 cm (w).
4. Identification, consistent with one of the following options:
- Copy of the Costa Rican identification card for minors (TIM).
- Attendance on the appointment of two witnesses (father, mother, siblings or grandparents) with a valid Costa Rican identification card or a valid passport (if the witness is not Costa Rican) to attest the Costa Rican nationality of the interested person. If the witnesses are in Costa Rica, this mus be indicated in the request letter.
5. German postal stamps. Please consult the consulate about the exact amount of stamps required.
Procedure:
If the submitted documents are complete and correct, an appointment will be given where the interested person, with its valid TIM or in presence of the witnesses, fills out and signs the original application form.
If the witnesses are in Costa Rica, they must coordinate with the Electoral Supreme Court (Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones) to sign the application form.
Once the identification card has been issued, the Electoral Supreme Court (Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones) will send it to the Embassy in Berlin or to an Honorary Consulate.
Duration:
- Sent by certified mail: 3 months.
- To speed up the process, you can hire a courier service.
Cost: Free of charge
Legal Basis:
- - Constitution of Costa Rica, Article 95 subparagraph 2) and Article 104 subparagraph 3).
- - Organic law 3504 of the Electoral Supreme Court (Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones) and Articles 73, 75, 76, 88 subparagraph c), 89, 92 y 93 of the Civil Registry (Registro Civil).
- - Resolution 2337-E, september, 6, 2004, of the TSE.
