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Not sure if many want to hassel the residency on their own, but when I was quoted up to $2000 I decided to dedicate a week of my time and see if I could do it my self. AND I DID!
I had all the necessary documents, IE Current Police Report, proof of Income, Birth Certificate and pictures. I had the documents legalized in California and brought them here with me. I went to San Jose, CR and got fingerprinted, they attached pictures to the file, gave me a receipt and I was on my way. I went to a lawyer and got my Application for Residency typed in Spanish, charge $20… I then copied all pages of my passport (Picture page twice). I took all my documents to a lawyer who translated all into spanish. $60….. Went to the Yellow House, presented my papers, got all the necessary “stamps” $120……….DONE……..I then took the papers to immigration – and they checked what I had and told me they were perfect. I then gave a friend in California (near the Consulate in Hayward) Limited Power of Attorney to sign in my behalf and pay for the packet to be mailed to CR $150. I mailed the papers to the consulate via DHL, $50 and when the papers where done they called my friend with the limited power of attorney to sign in my behalf. She said it took about three minutes…….and I also gave Limited Power of Attorney to a friend here in Atenas to speak in my behalf, should it have been necessary $20, but he didn’t receive any call! Yippie!
I just heard from the Consulate in Hayward California that my packet of papers was done correctly and on it’s way to C.R.
Total Cost $420
I must admit that I had to prime myself for the wait, the confusion, the running from here to there……..but………..to me it was well worth it! I also to a friend who spoke spanish, and that was a big asset!Congratulations!
If you are willing to do your homework, there are many ‘tramites’ that can be done by yourself but I must admit that even after living here for many years, I prefer to pay someone else to communicate with the local authorities for practically anything that’s required because I simply don’t have the time.
Scott Oliver – Founder
WeLoveCostaRica.comScott:
Your so right. do your “homework”………I did a lot of reading and a lot of questioning here in your forum.
As I said my biggest help was the person I had with me to communicate in Spanish for me…………and…………I have nothing but time, I’m a retired building contractor from California, enjoying this wonderful country!!!
As you might recall, I had such a problem with my “move of good” here to Costa Rica, that I wanted to basically “have control” of the outcome of my residency papers. With my move, everyone but me had control………it wasn’t a good thing at all!!! In a nutshell, I’m out about $18,000.00 and of course the blame was all put on customs!!!
ButchHi, that is great but you wrote “…..was done correctly and on it’s way to C.R..,….”.
That means that you don’t have it yet, would like to know the final result…. within 6 months ? one year ?Hi, how and where did you get your necessary documents, etc., legalized in California? I live in California now but will be moving to Costa Rica in the spring of 2007 and don’t plan to return to the US. From what I’ve read I qualify for Pensionado (sp?) status. Thanks!
Is your birth certificate from California? If so, you must first get a certified copy and then send it to the Secretary of State for authentication. Go online to the Sec of State’s website and it will tell you what to do next and where to send it. See my post above for another suggestion about getting this done efficiently. It’s become a little more complicated since the new rules went into effect. I know all kinds of people who did this themselves, as Butch did, or hired a supposed “immigration” lawyer, but they still do not have their carnet in hand. I used Residency in Costa Rica and I have an appointment on January 24 to pick up my cedula, whereas my other friends still don’t even have an appointment.
Dear Scott,
I’m 74 years old and somewhat disabeled. There is no Costa Rica Consulate office anywhere near me in California. I have a Social Security pension and want to apply for Pendionado status when I arrive in Costa Risa. I’ve received so much confliciting information that I need help. Can’t I apply in Costa Rica where my son is and can help me? If I have to leave the country for short periods every four months that will be impossible for me due to my health. Please give me any advisement that you can.
Thank you sincerely,
Marcia TwifordAll of your documents must be authenticated by the Costa Rica consulate in California either in Los Angeles or San Francisco. But first, you must get those documents and your son cannot help you with that from Costa Rica. The rules have changed in the last year and now it is imperative that you start this residency process in the States, otherwise you will be spending a fortune sending things back and forth FedEx (that is what the consulate requires) and you will have to have someone act on your behalf in the States, and if you’ve read Butch’s account of gathering and certifying these documents and having multiple people serve as attorneys (power of attorney), it was very complicated. Your son can help you get fingerprinted in Costa Rica, take you to the Embassy, and help you get an appointment at immigration, but first you must get your documents, have them certified, authenticated, translated, and stamped by the CR consulate. This is a process not for the faint-hearted.
Dear Maravilla, I’ve found out all I need to know, mostly thanks to you and I will have everything done here in the US no earlier than 90 days before I plan to arrive in Costa Rica which I’m really looking forward to. I hope we can meet sometime. You’ve been of great help to me and I’m in your debt. Perhaps a lunch? Happy New Year.
MarciaGet in touch with the CR consulate nearest you and ask them about their procedure for getting things authenticated, stamped, and translated. You can’t do this without them, and it’s best to make contact with someone there early in the process so they can walk you through it. Glad I could help you. It’s a daunting process, to be sure, but worth every gray hair and headache!
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