In most cases, getting Citizenship in Costa Rica is a lengthy process of which you have to have lots of patience for. My story is no exception. Although i have one parent who is a Costa Rican citizen (My Mother), getting my citizenship took 4 years and endured ‘law changes’.

Some of those changes actually was to my benefit (i.e.: I could apply via my mother even though I was over 25 years of age. They also changed the rule that i had to take the social studies exam… i hate to admit I never quite made it past page 10 that spoke about the geographical borders of Costa Rica and the Rio San Juan). 

Another reason it took so long for me is that my mother never registered my birth abroad. Because of that I had to start over essentially. When I first obtained my residency, back in 2005, i applied for “Rentista” residency, which is a restricted form of residency. I deposited $60,000 into a CD type savings account in Costa Rica and was ‘paid back’ $1000 per month plus interest.

A year later, i had my first son, which then gave me the right to apply for permanent residency, which i did. Both processes took about a year. I had expected Citizenship to take a little bit longer, but not necessarily FOUR years, but i guess that is  what living life Pura Vida style means here. You don’t let bureaucracy get to you. If you do, you won’t last here. I can tell you that much!

I knew when I was 5 years into my permanent residency i was eligible to apply to be a citizen. I was not, at that time, allowed to apply to be a citizen because i was over 25. That law was later changed, and my residency attorney informed me that was the case and I told her that I wanted to get my citizenship and what did i have to do.

One would think after being a permanent residency for many years, it would be easy. But, just with any government process here, it’s not. For starters i had to register my birth abroad to a Costa Rica citizen  in the Costa Rica registry. Mysteriously my birth certificate was “lost” so I had to request one online in Illinois and have it sent to Costa Rica and then I had to pay to have it officially translated.

This was all going on in year two by the way…. as year one were several delays and law changes. With all my paperwork in, I waited patiently for 4 years until November of 2015 when I officially had my “Cedula Tica”. I did a quiet celebration that day!

The big WHY? Why would i want to get my citizenship. Well, for me it’s a mental thing (My mother is Tica) and then my two little boys were born here. In addition, i will not ever go back to the USA to live permanently. Costa Rica is my 2nd home, but more so my 1st home. I speak fluent Spanish and English and have always felt my Tica side.

There are certainly other benefits to being a citizen–great discounts on hotels, certain restaurants, inner country flights, and of course I can vote and hold political office (not that I ever would hold political office)! Oh, and my Cedula ID number is 7 digits compared to the 12 on a residency cedula. Also you don’t have to renew your Tica cedula every 2-3 years. Plus it’s free (you pay a fee every time you renew your residency cedula).

I always suggest residency for any foreigners who sees themselves spending a good amount of time in this country. It’s not as complicated to obtain residency and there are several different ways to do it. If you see Costa Rica as your ‘forever’ home, than becoming a citizen would be the next best step! Viva Costa Rica!

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Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.