Registry filings
We prepare, file and follow up on your documents before Costa Rica’s National Registry (Registro Nacional).
Quick answer: Costa Rica’s National Registry (Registro Nacional) records and publishes information on real estate, vehicles, companies and trademarks. Filings are made by submitting documents, usually notarial deeds, which the Registry examines; any defects it notes must be corrected before registration. Registry information can be searched online through the Registry’s official portal.
Real Estate Registry
Real property and registered survey plans.
- Title searches: registered owner, liens, annotations and survey plan.
- Registration of purchases, mortgages, subdivisions and other real estate transactions.
- Follow-up on any defects noted by the Registry until registration is complete.
Movable Property Registry
Vehicles and other registrable movable property.
- Vehicle transfers.
- Registration and release of chattel mortgages (prendas) and other liens.
- Vehicle registry searches before a purchase.
Legal Entities Registry
Companies, associations and other legal entities.
- Registration of companies and their amendments.
- Appointments, powers of attorney and certificates of corporate authority.
- Dissolution of companies.
Intellectual Property Registry: trademarks
Trademarks, trade names and other distinctive signs.
- Clearance searches before filing an application.
- Trademark and trade name applications.
- Renewals, assignments and follow-up through registration.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find out who owns a property in Costa Rica?
The National Registry’s official portal lets you search a property’s record online, including the owner, liens and annotations. Before any transaction, a professional review that includes the registered survey plan is advisable.
What happens if the Registry finds a defect in a document?
The document stays pending until the defect is corrected within the period set by the Registry. The responsible notary or professional prepares and files the correction; if it is not corrected in time, the filing may lapse.
How long does a trademark registration last in Costa Rica?
A trademark registration lasts ten years and can be renewed for equal periods. See our guide How to register a trademark in Costa Rica.
More frequently asked questions
Official sources
- Costa Rica National Registry (Registro Nacional): www.rnpdigital.com
- Costa Rican Legal Information System (SCIJ, in Spanish): www.pgrweb.go.cr/scij
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.