U.S. citizen services 

The United States government has no higher responsibility than to serve and protect its citizens, including those who reside or are temporarily abroad. To this end, the American Citizen Services Unit in Costa Rica provides prompt, courteous, and efficient services to United States Citizens and other clients, consistent with U.S. laws and regulations.

In order to provide improved service to its customers, the Consular Section at the U.S. Embassy will provide notarial services at the times listed below. As of June 1, 2007, notarial and authentication services will be offered on:

Monday, Wednesday, Friday- 1:00PM - 2:30PM 
(Note: the Embassy is closed on U.S. and Costa Rican Holidays)

In the case of authentications, documents will be available for pick up the next business day. 

Acquiring Birth Cerificate Abroad (CRBA) 

Beginning June 1, 2007, an appointment will be required for those American citizens applying for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) for their children with claims to U.S. citizenship. The new process will follow the steps listed below:

• Anyone may pick up the packet of required forms at the Consular Section any weekday morning or download the forms from our website at http://www.state.gov/m/a/dir/forms/  
• Once the forms are completed, either parent can return the forms (with the required supporting documentation) to the Consular Section any weekday morning (excluding holidays). This may be done in person or via DHL. Please note that the child's presence is NOT necessary at this stage of the process.
• Once the Consular Section receives the completed forms and supporting documentation, applicants will receive an appointment date and time.
• On the day and time of the appointment, both parents and the child will return to the Embassy for the interview with the Consular Officer. The presence of both parents and the child is required only for the appointment.

This change in procedure will allow Embassy staff to review the application and begin data entry, reducing the time that families with young children have to wait at the Embassy for the CRBA processing and interview. The Embassy believes that allocating specific times for CRBA interviews will allow us to provide faster and more efficient service to the public. 

We recommend that anyone seeking routine assistance (e.g. passport renewals) not visit the section on Mondays (Tuesdays if Monday is a Holiday). Due to the number of emergency cases that arise over the weekend, such as the replacement of lost/stolen passports, the processing of non-emergency requests may be significantly delayed.

Address

Location:At the intersection of Avenida Central and Calle 120 in the Pavas Section of San José, Costa Rica.
Street Address: Calle 120 Avenida 0, Pavas, San José, Costa Rica 
Local Mailing Address: 920-1200 San José, Costa Rica 
U.S. Mailing Address: US Embassy San Jose, APO AA 34020

Hours of Operation

back to top ^