Family Life & Family Law in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a popular destination for families, offering a safe environment, quality education options, universal healthcare, and a family-oriented culture. Whether you are getting married, having children, enrolling kids in school, or navigating international family law, this guide covers what expat families need to know.
Marriage in Costa Rica
Can foreigners get married in Costa Rica?
Yes. Foreigners can legally marry in Costa Rica, and many couples choose to do so. The marriage is performed before a licensed notario público (notary-lawyer) and is valid internationally. Same-sex marriage has been legal in Costa Rica since May 2020.
To get married in Costa Rica as a foreigner, you will need:
- Passports for both parties (originals).
- Birth certificates from your home country — apostilled and translated into Spanish by a certified translator.
- Certificate of marital status (proof you are not currently married) — apostilled and translated. This is sometimes called a single-status certificate or certificate of no impediment.
- If previously divorced: official divorce decree — apostilled and translated.
- Two witnesses (can be friends; must be adults with valid ID).
- A licensed notario público to perform the ceremony and register the marriage at the Registro Civil.
Pre-Marriage Planning
Allow at least 4–6 weeks to gather and apostille documents from abroad. Some countries take longer to issue the required certificates. Your notario can guide you on exactly which documents are needed based on your nationalities and previous marital history.
Having Children in Costa Rica
Birth Registration
Children born in Costa Rica are registered at the Registro Civil. The birth must be reported within 10 days at a Registro Civil office (or the hospital may handle this). Both parents' identification documents are required. The birth certificate is issued in Spanish.
Citizenship by Birth
Children born in Costa Rica to any parents (including non-resident foreigners) automatically acquire Costa Rican citizenship by birth (jus soli). This also applies to children of diplomatic personnel with some exceptions. Children born abroad to at least one Costa Rican parent can also claim citizenship.
Dual Citizenship
Costa Rica permits dual citizenship. A child born in Costa Rica who also holds another citizenship through their parents (by descent) can hold both without issue. Many countries also permit dual citizenship — check your home country's rules, as some require renouncing foreign citizenship upon naturalizing elsewhere.
Registering Foreign-Born Children
If you have children born abroad and are residents in Costa Rica, register your child's foreign birth with your home country's embassy or consulate in San José to preserve their citizenship rights in your home country. Costa Rica does not automatically register foreign births.
Bringing Children to Costa Rica
Children Traveling Without Both Parents
Costa Rica has strict rules to prevent child trafficking. A child traveling with only one parent, with neither parent, or with a guardian requires a notarized permission letter from the absent parent(s) — apostilled and translated into Spanish. This requirement applies even at the land border for day trips. Immigration officers do enforce this rule, and children can be detained if proper documentation is not presented.
The permission letter (permiso de salida del país) should include:
- Full names and passport numbers of the child and accompanying adult(s).
- Names and passport/ID numbers of the granting parent(s).
- Specific travel dates and destination(s).
- Notarization and apostille from the granting parent's country.
- Official Spanish translation by a certified translator.
Education in Costa Rica
Costa Rica offers a range of educational options for expat families, from elite international schools to free public schools. The country has a strong public education tradition — the 1949 Constitution abolished the army and redirected that budget to education. The Central Valley (San José metropolitan area) has the highest concentration of international and bilingual private schools. Outside the Central Valley, options become more limited, though some popular expat areas like Guanacaste and the Southern Zone have international school options.
Country Day School
Escazú, San José (main campus); additional campuses in Guanacaste and Pérez Zeledón
One of the most established international schools in Costa Rica, founded in 1963. Primarily English-language instruction. Strong US college placement record. Significant expat enrollment. One of the more expensive options.
Lincoln School
Moravia, San José
Another of CR's most prestigious international schools, founded in 1945. Offers IB Diploma in addition to US curriculum. Strong college preparatory program. Popular with US expat families and diplomatic community. High tuition.
Blue Valley School
Escazú, San José
Smaller than Country Day or Lincoln, offering a close-knit community. Good reputation for individualized attention. Popular with both expat and local families seeking English-medium education.
Britannia School
Heredia (main campus); also in Santa Ana
The leading British-curriculum school in Costa Rica. Follows the Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level pathway. A natural fit for families from the UK, Commonwealth countries, or those who prefer the British educational model. Students regularly accepted to UK, US, and European universities.
European School (Escuela Europea)
Belen, Heredia
Unique multilingual school emphasizing multiple European languages. Strong emphasis on cultural diversity and multilingualism. Popular with European expat families. Students graduate bilingual or multilingual. Less common college prep focus compared to US-curriculum schools.
Colegio Metodista
Barrio Luján, San José
One of the oldest and most respected bilingual schools in Costa Rica, founded in 1921. Methodist mission school. Follows the Costa Rican national curriculum but with strong English language instruction. More affordable than fully international schools. Excellent reputation locally.
Public Schools (Escuelas y Colegios Públicos)
Nationwide — every district has public primary and secondary schools
Free and mandatory for children ages 6–15. Instruction is entirely in Spanish. English is taught as a subject but schools are not bilingual. Quality varies significantly by region and school. Urban schools in the Central Valley are generally better resourced. An excellent option for families committed to full Spanish immersion and long-term integration. Children enroll at the local school in their district (zona de empadronamiento).
Child Custody & International Family Law
International custody situations involving Costa Rica can be complex. Key points to understand:
Hague Convention on Child Abduction
Costa Rica is a signatory to the 1980 Hague Convention on International Child Abduction. This means there are legal mechanisms to seek return of a child who has been wrongfully removed from their habitual residence country to Costa Rica (or vice versa). The PANI (Patronato Nacional de la Infancia) is the coordinating authority.
Custody Orders in CR Courts
Custody disputes in Costa Rica go through the Family Courts (Juzgados de Familia). Costa Rican courts generally apply "best interests of the child" as the paramount standard. Foreign custody orders may be recognized through an exequatur process but are not automatically enforceable — a CR court must validate them.
Child Exit Restrictions
If a custody dispute arises, either parent can petition the CR courts to place an exit restriction (restricción de salida del país) on the child, preventing removal from Costa Rica. This is a powerful but sometimes abused measure. Seek legal advice immediately if you are in this situation.
PANI (Child Welfare Authority)
PANI (Patronato Nacional de la Infancia) is Costa Rica's child welfare authority. It handles abuse cases, custody disputes where welfare is at risk, and international custody matters. Foreign families should know that PANI has broad authority to intervene in situations affecting child welfare.
Bringing Pets to Costa Rica
Costa Rica is generally pet-friendly and many expats bring their dogs and cats. The requirements are manageable but require advance planning — some steps must be completed weeks or months before travel.
Requirements for Dogs & Cats
- Microchip: ISO 11784/11785 standard (15-digit); must be implanted before vaccinations
- Rabies vaccination: Must be current; given after microchip implant; valid 30 days to 1 year before arrival (depending on the vaccine)
- Health certificate: Issued by an accredited veterinarian within 2 weeks of travel date
- SENASA import permit: Obtained in advance from SENASA's website; required for entry
- Internal and external parasite treatment: Must be administered by a vet within 2 weeks before arrival
Arrival Process & Tips
- Pets can arrive in-cabin (under-seat carriers, small dogs/cats) or as cargo/checked baggage depending on airline policy
- SENASA inspects pets at Juan Santamaría International Airport on arrival — have all documents ready
- Check your airline's specific pet policies; not all airlines accept pets the same way
- Land border crossing with pets is possible but ensure the border has a SENASA station
- Dogs and cats entering through approved airports are typically processed quickly if papers are in order
Exotic Pets & Birds
Exotic animals, birds, reptiles, and other non-domestic animals have significantly stricter import requirements and may be prohibited entirely under CITES and Costa Rican wildlife protection laws. Contact SENASA and MINAE well in advance if you have pets that are not standard dogs or cats. Attempting to import restricted wildlife can result in seizure and criminal charges.
Elder Care & Retirement
Costa Rica is one of the world's top retirement destinations, and elder care infrastructure has grown to serve both local and expat populations.
Pensionado Residency
The Pensionado visa category is specifically designed for retirees with a guaranteed pension income of at least $1,000/month. It provides legal residency, the same constitutional rights as citizens, and the menaje de casa duty-free import exemption for household goods. It is one of the most popular and accessible residency categories.
Public Healthcare (CAJA)
Legal residents enrolled in CAJA have access to the full public healthcare system, including hospitals, specialist clinics, and medications. Quality varies — public hospitals in San José are generally good; rural facilities are more limited. Many expats supplement CAJA with private health insurance for elective procedures and faster access.
Private Care Facilities
Costa Rica has a growing number of private elder care homes (hogares de ancianos), assisted living facilities, and in-home care services, particularly in the Central Valley and popular expat areas like Escazú and Santa Ana. Quality has improved significantly in recent years. Costs are substantially lower than comparable US or Canadian facilities.
Estate Planning
Foreign residents with CR property or assets should have a locally valid will (testamento) drafted by a CR notario público. Foreign wills are not automatically recognized. Your CR notario can draft a will covering your CR assets specifically, which works alongside any will in your home country. Discuss inheritance and property structure with a local estate planning attorney.