Costa Rica is an exotic location that doesn’t have many marriage requirements, making is a popular country for a destination wedding! O
nce you did that you want to have your wedding in Costa Rica, the next step is to make sure you understand the legal process.
Fortunately, a Costa Rica marriage license isn’t difficult to get.
Conveniently, there is no waiting period, residency requirements or blood tests needed. This really speeds up the process which is nice. You first step should be to hire a wedding lawyer in Costa Rica. Your lawyer will make sure you have all the necessary documents, paperwork and fees.
A few months before your wedding date your lawyer will send you a questionnaire to fill out. Along with the completed questionnaire, you and your fiance will both need your passports, original birth certificates and divorce decree if applicable. If neither party has ever been married before, you have to go to the Embassy’s Consular Section and make a sworn statement before a consular officer.
At the actual ceremony, two witnesses are required. If you don’t have them, your lawyer can take care of getting them for you. Your wedding lawyer can also officiate your ceremony! However, if you have an ordained friend or family member, pastor, ect. then they can perform the ceremony while your lawyer witnesses it.
Once the ceremony is over, your marriage statement will be sent to the Costa Rica Civil Registry. The registration process takes several weeks after your wedding day. Once it’s complete, the Costa Rica marriage license will be mailed to your home.
Costa Rica is a fairly easy destination to obtain a marriage license and to have a wedding! Since legal marriage requirements in Costa Rica may change over time, you’re advised to check the official government website for exact details. You can find up to date information here.