Notary services
In Costa Rica, a notary public is a licensed attorney with specialized training who gives public faith to the deeds and agreements you sign, under the Notarial Code.
Quick answer: In Costa Rica, a notary public is a lawyer with specialized training, authorized by the National Notary Directorate, who gives public faith to the deeds and agreements signed before them. Notaries execute property, company and power of attorney deeds, authenticate signatures, issue certifications and, where applicable, file documents for registration with the National Registry.
Public deeds
- Real estate purchases and mortgages.
- Company formation and amendments.
- Transfers of vehicles and other movable property.
- Gifts, lien releases and other registrable transactions.
Powers of attorney
- General, special and unlimited (generalísimo) powers of attorney.
- Powers of attorney for people who live abroad or cannot be present for a transaction.
Other notarial acts
- Signature authentication.
- Notarial certifications of documents and of corporate authority (personería).
- Sworn statements.
- Wills and probate proceedings before a notary.
A Costa Rican notary’s role is broader than that of a notary in the United States or Canada: the notary drafts the deed, verifies identity and legal capacity, explains the document to the parties and files it with the National Registry. Deeds are executed in Spanish; when a party does not speak Spanish, an interpreter can take part as provided by law.
To sign a deed, all parties must appear before the notary with valid identification. We will let you know the specific requirements for your transaction before the appointment.
Frequently asked questions
What should I bring to my appointment with the notary?
Valid identification (Costa Rican ID, DIMEX or passport) and the details of the transaction, such as the property number, the vehicle’s license plate or the company’s certificate of authority. We will tell you the specific requirements for your case before the appointment.
Can someone living abroad grant a power of attorney for use in Costa Rica?
Yes. It can be granted before a Costa Rican consul or before a notary in the country where the person lives; in the latter case the document generally has to be apostilled and then recorded (protocolized) by a Costa Rican notary before it can be used at the National Registry.
Can a deed be signed in English?
Deeds are executed in Spanish. If a party does not speak Spanish, an interpreter can take part as provided in the Notarial Code, and the notary explains the content of the document before it is signed.
How can I check that a notary is authorized to practice?
The National Notary Directorate keeps the register of notaries authorized to practice, which can be checked before hiring a notary.
More frequently asked questions
Official sources
- National Notary Directorate (Dirección Nacional de Notariado): www.dnn.go.cr
- Notarial Code, Law No. 7764 (in Spanish): www.archivonacional.go.cr/web/normativa/Ley_7764.pdf
- Costa Rican Bar Association (Colegio de Abogados y Abogadas): www.abogados.or.cr
Would you like to discuss your matter?
Send us a short description of your question. We will reply to arrange a meeting at our office in San Pedro de Montes de Oca, a visit in Guanacaste, or a video call.