Police Record for Costa Rica

[lucybelle 453]

I wanted to write a post with info for those who are applying through Costa Rica. There's a huge *thing* about the police record in Costa Rica. The USA embassy in San Jose and the NVC will tell you that in order to get it you'll have to first get a checklist then take the checklist to the embassy where you'll get an official request to then get the police record. Here's a quote from the document:

"Costa Rican police certificates may be obtained only through an official request. Instructions and the required letter of request are available from the Embassy’s Consular section. Attached is a form that must completed and presented when requesting a police certificate from your Embassy.

It is imperative that this document is active and not expired. These documents are generally available within the same days as being requested and are only valid for a thirty day period. You must bring a valid Police Certificate with you at the time of interview."

But this is NOT TRUE. You can get your police record without the official request. Plus, they are valid for 90 days, not only 30.

First you must go to the Poder Judicial where you get the actual police record. Then go across the street to the Registro Judicial where it gets a few papers attached. Finally, take it to the Casa Amarilla (Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores) to get an apostille. You are able to do the first two steps in one day (get police record, take it across the street in the AM, come back in the PM to pick it up). The next day take it to the Casa Amarilla where they will probably take 3-4 days to apostille.

Here you can see the link with instructions and requirements. We sent in our IV packet with the police record, I'm not sure if you can send in the IV packet without the police record and just take the record to the interview. We didn't want to risk a checklist.

Hope this helps someone down the line!

[pepper297 63]

Thank you for the information! We are still waiting for our NOA2 for our k1 but I know the police record is something we will need to provide once we finally move ahead.

[LoveMyTico 999]

I wish this was in spanish.. I would love to send this to my husband

Edited April 10, 2014 by LoveMyTico

[lucybelle 453]

I wish this was in spanish.. I would love to send this to my husband

The link I gave is in Spanish. But I'll write a quick review for you:

Para consequir la hoja de delinquencia en Costa Rica el NVC y la embajada le van a decir que tiene que esperar para un checklist para llevar el checklist a la embajada para que le den un solicitud oficial. Pero esto NO ES CIERTO. Para conseguir la hoja hay que ir primero a donde Poder Judicial. Solo tiene que traer la cedula para perdirla, pide la de "internacional". Despues de que imprimen la hoja, hay que ir a otro edificio en frente- Registro Judicial. Ahi deja la hoja paraque pegan unas hojas mas. Hay que dejar la hoja en la manana y pasar por ella en la tarde, tipo 3 o 4. El dia despues (o cuando sea) lleva las hoajs a la Casa Amarilla (Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores) para que la pongan un apostellada. Compre los timbres afuera de la muchacha que esta ahi. Ent la casa amarilla hay que decirles que el documento va los estados. Le dan una ficha y le dicen cuando hay que volver por ella, seguro en unos 3 o 4 dias. El dia que va a recoger las hojas hay que traer la ficha. Y listo!!! jaja!

La hoja de delinquencia international es valida por 90 dias, no 30. Y sola hay que llevar otra a la entrevista si pasan los 90 dias. Mi esposo pidio 3 copias, por si acaso.

[David-Francinie 2]

To my understanding, I thought the police report was only needed if there was any kind of criminal record? This is required in all cases?

[pepper297 63]

To my understanding, I thought the police report was only needed if there was any kind of criminal record? This is required in all cases?

The police record is not needed for the I129f on a regular basis, it is needed for the interview portion for the beneficiary in CR.