Costa Rica recognizes apostilles issued by the Maryland Secretary of State. Before you send anything, check whether your document can go straight to Annapolis or needs the county clerk first.
Costa Rica has applied the convention since December 14, 2011. Offices there that receive foreign documents, such as civil registries, courts, universities and consulates, check for the apostille rather than an embassy stamp.
The apostille only confirms the signature and seal on your document. Each office in Costa Rica still sets its own rules about how recent the document must be and whether it needs a translation into Spanish.
Vital records for Costa Rica
- Certified copySigned and sealed by a Maryland official
- Maryland Secretary of State16 Francis Street, Annapolis, MD 21401 · $5 per document
- Apostille attachedValid in every Hague Convention country
Notarized documents for Costa Rica
- Sign before a Maryland notaryThe notary's stamp names their county.
- Clerk of the Circuit Court (notary’s county)Authenticates the notary · about $1 per document
- Maryland Secretary of State16 Francis Street, Annapolis, MD 21401 · $5 per document
- Apostille attachedValid in every Hague Convention country
Cost for Costa Rica
| Option | Per document |
|---|---|
| Vital record, you mail it yourself | $5 |
| Any Maryland document, we file it | $50 |
| Notarized, we handle the clerk too | $50 + $1 |
| Federal (FBI check) | $57 |
Costa Rica: common questions
Is a Maryland apostille accepted in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica recognizes apostilles issued by the Maryland Secretary of State. Before you send anything, check whether your document can go straight to Annapolis or needs the county clerk first.
Do I need a translation for Costa Rica?
Often. Official business in Costa Rica is conducted in Spanish. If your document is in English, the receiving office may ask for a certified translation into Spanish, usually made after the apostille is attached.
Can I apostille a birth certificate for Costa Rica myself?
Yes. A certified Maryland birth certificate goes straight to the Secretary of State with a $5 fee. Our free guide explains each step.
What if my document for Costa Rica is notarized?
Then the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the notary's county must authenticate it first. We handle both offices for you.