Time Required:

Because the process is so complicated I suggest you get started as soon as you can and no later than 6 weeks before the wedding trip.

Where and How:

1. Contact the destination of your choice to determine how much assistance will be provided by their wedding planning staff. If it is limited, we suggest contacting one of the lawyers recommended by the US Embassy in Costa Rica. A list of lawyers who can help make sure you obtain the proper documentation, and who can also serve as wedding officiants, is available through the US Embassy web site at www.usembassy.or.cr. Alternately, many of the wedding services provided by our hotels and destinations will help couples fulfill these legal requirements
2. Send all documents to the US Dept. of State to be authenticated. Costa Rica requires that certain documents from the U.S. be authenticated and affixed with the official seal of the US Dept of State before they can then be certified as authentic at the Consulate of Costa Rica PRIOR to coming to Costa Rica. This process applies to all the documents listed below. Call 800.688.9889 or visit the US Dept. of State's web site for clarification about authentication.
3. Once you receive the authenticated documents from the Department of State, send all documentation to the Embassy of Costa Rica in Washington D.C. for further authentication.
4. Once you have all your authenticated documents you are ready to find an officiate (lawyer, or judge who can perform a civil service, or a spiritual leader for a religious service.)
5. Unless otherwise notified, bring all the documents with you when you go on the wedding trip and plan to meet your officiate immediately so that they can assist you in case you have to have the documents notarized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Costa Rica.
6. Once the ceremony is complete, the marriage officiant will send all the documentation to the local Civil Registry. From four to seven weeks after the marriage ceremony, they will issue a Marriage Certificate. Your marriage ONLY becomes legally recognized in the US once the officiate has your Marriage Certificate translated into English and authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Relations, has it notarized by public notary, and then sent to the US Embassy Consular Section in Costa Rica where it is signed and certified as legal. The US Embassy will keep one copy on file, send a copy to you in the US and another to the Department of Vital Records.

ID Requirements:

If you are NOT a Costa Rican citizen, you must have 4 documents:

1. A passport valid for at least six months
2. An authenticated copy of your Birth Certificate
3. An authenticated copy of your Police Record (obtained from County Police in the state in which you reside, or from the FBI)
4. An authenticated Affidavit of Single Status (available through the US Dept. of State. Again, call 800.688.9889 for information)

In addition, if you have been married before, you must have one of these documents:

1. An authenticated copy of the divorce decree OR
2. An authenticated copy of your previous spouse's death certificate.

If you are marrying a Costa Rican, your future spouse will need these 2 additional documents:

1. A Costa Rican Identity card ("Cedula de Identidad")
2. Certificate of Single Status issued by the Civil Registry

Residency Requirement:

None.

Previous Marriages:

If the bride has been previously married she must wait 300 days after her divorce or the death of her husband. Official authenticated copies of divorce decree or death certificate is required for both parties. She can waive this requirement by proving she is not pregnant by taking a pregnancy test administered by the supreme court of Costa Rica at the Forensic Medicine Office in San Joaquin des Flores in Heredia, CR 506.295.3000. If her pregnancy test is negative she can marry immediately.

Waiting Period:

None, unless previously married (see above).

Blood Tests:

None required.

Witnesses:

2 witnesses, who are not relatives must be present. If non-Costa-Rican, they must have a passport valid for 6 months. For Costa Rican citizens, a Costa Rican Identity Card must be shown.

Civil Ceremonies:

Local attorneys and judges are usually available to serve as officiants.

Religious Ceremonies:

In 1949 Costa Rican declared Roman Catholicism to be the official state religion. Other expressions of worship are welcome. There is a several options in San Jose for Jewish couples. I did not find any resourced for Buddhists and Moslem couples can call the Al Markaz (Dawa-e-Tabligh) Centro Islamico 506-272-878 in San Jose which may be the only resource in the country. Same-Sex Ceremonies: Costa Rica is exceptionally tolerant of religious, ethnic and sexual diversity. Commitment ceremonies are popular. Some hotels which cater exclusively to Gay and Lesbian clientele, many offering to help arrange commitment ceremonies, which are not legally binding but spiritual in nature.

Design Ideas:

Spectacular sunsets, dramatic skylines, volcanoes jungles, beaches, streams and waterfalls serve as incredible backdrops for Costa Rican weddings. Wedding magazines and publications dedicated to wedding information have provided extensive coverage of this beautiful nation and select it as one of the most ideal places for both weddings and honeymoons. Fresh Costa Rican coffee, local dishes such as coconut-ginger ceviche (pieces of marinated fish served in a coconut), or fresh lobster-artichoke crepes, and especially rice and beans cooked in coconut milk.