Second Pass

Reacquiring Lost Citizenship in Costa Rica

The Verdict: Unlikely

The recovery process is only for people who were Costa Rican by birth, so you would have to naturalise again. Ask the Sección de Opciones y Naturalizaciones whether your earlier years of residence can count.

The Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones says a former Costa Rican by naturalisation must make a fresh application. That means seven years of official residence, or five for nationals of other Central American countries, Spain or Ibero-American countries by birth, plus means of living, good conduct and the Spanish and history exams.

We could not find any published rule on whether residence from before the loss can be counted again. If it can, your position may be much better than a fresh start, which is why the question is worth asking first.

If you are not certain the loss was recorded before 6 June 1995, ask the Registro Civil to check the date. A loss recorded after it should not have happened, because Article 16 since says the status cannot be lost.

Share the Results

Share your answers and results with yourself and anyone else. We'll be copied on the email but won't spam you. Just reply to that if you want us to dig in further or help find an overseas expert.