How American Citizens obtain a passport for their child born in Costa Rica

Note: All info is current as of October 2013. We highly recommend you confirm the latest by visiting the link below.

How to Obtain a US Passport for a child born in Costa Rica

IMPORTANT! Before you schedule an appointment, be sure you have all the support documents required as listed below.

Go to https://cr.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/passports/. You will need to print and fill out 2 forms (DS-11 & DS-2029) and schedule an appointment to submit your packet. All that (appointment & documents) can be printed and scheduled from the website at the top of this paragraph.

Go to the embassy with your family, provide the consulate with the information and interview with the Consular. The address is Calle 120 Avenida 0, Pavas, San Jose, Costa Rica.

The fees are $105 for the baby?s passport application, and $100 for the Consular Report of Birth Abroad application. The total is $205 and is paid on the day of your appointment by cash or credit card.

Once approved, the Consular Report of Birth Abroad will be ready for pick-up at the same location after 2 weeks.

Required Supporting Documents needed at the scheduled interview with the Consular.

1. The child's original Costa Rican birth certificate in "digital format" issued on stamped paper (papel con timbres) from the Civil Registry (Registro Civil). This is given to the parents at the hospital the day after the baby is born.

2. A written statement from the physician who attended the birth, stating the name of the mother and pertinent facts of the birth. In the case of a child born in one of Costa Rica's public hospitals, a statement from the hospital director that one of its physicians attended the birth is sufficient. (The declaración de Nacimiento on yellow carbon paper showing the registration of the birth at the hospital is not sufficient.)

3. A certified copy of the marriage certificate of the parents. If the marriage took place in Costa Rica, this document must be obtained from the Civil Registry (Registro Civil).

4. If either parent has been married previously, certified copies of the documents showing termination (through death or divorce) of all previous marriages.

5. Both parents' U.S. Passports

6. Evidence of the U.S. citizen parent's physical presence in the U.S. Examples of documents that can be used to show physical presence include school records; childhood immunization records; college transcripts; U.S. military service records; paystubs and tax, or old passports.

7. Evidence of a biological relationship between the U.S. citizen parent and the child. This can be medical records pertaining to the pregnancy, such as prenatal care records, ultrasounds, and pregnancy photos.

8. Two passport photos, 2"x 2" on a white background. Instant and digital photos are not acceptable. Photos can be taken at the Embassy in the Consular Section for a small fee.