The Pura Vida lifestyle is calling. Imagine waking up to the sound of waves on Costa Rica’s pristine beaches, enjoying fresh tropical fruit in the morning, and ending your day surrounded by lush rainforests and warm, welcoming neighbors. Whether you’re retiring, investing in real estate, starting a business, or planning a destination wedding, Costa Rica offers a new beginning filled with opportunity and serenity.

But before you can start your life abroad, you need to get past one of the most important (and often most frustrating) hurdles: the paperwork.

Costa Rica, like all Hague Convention countries, requires your U.S. documents to carry an apostille before they will be accepted. Without it, your residency, marriage, or business application will be rejected. This is where many Massachusetts residents get stuck—confused by multiple agencies, conflicting rules, and long delays.

At Boston Notary Service, we simplify the entire process. We act as your document concierge, handling state and federal submissions so you can focus on preparing for your Costa Rica adventure—not fighting with government red tape.

An apostille is a certificate issued by a designated authority (in Massachusetts, it’s the Secretary of the Commonwealth; at the federal level, it’s the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.) that verifies the authenticity of your official documents.

For Costa Rica, apostilles are mandatory for:

• Residency applications (retirement, investment, family-based, or work visas)
• Marriage licenses (for destination weddings in Costa Rica)
• Business expansions (corporate registrations, contracts, and power of attorney documents)

The Costa Rican government has no way of confirming whether a Massachusetts-issued birth certificate or a federal FBI report is genuine. The apostille bridges that gap, giving them proof that your documents are valid.

At Boston Notary Service, we’ve helped clients across Massachusetts prepare their paperwork for Costa Rica. Common scenarios include:

1. Retirees (Pensionado Residency)

Costa Rica’s Pensionado Visa is one of the most popular residency paths. To qualify, you must show stable monthly income (such as Social Security or pension payments). Key documents include:

• FBI Criminal Background Check
• Social Security or Pension Benefit Letters

We handle the apostille process for both federal and state documents—making sure nothing delays your retirement plans.

2. Investors & Entrepreneurs

For those expanding a business or starting a new one in Costa Rica, apostilles are required on:

• Articles of Incorporation
• Powers of Attorney
• Business Financial Statements
• Bylaws

We process your corporate documents correctly so your Costa Rican venture is built on a strong legal foundation.

3. Families & Professionals Relocating

Residency applications for work or family reunification often require:

• Birth Certificates
• Marriage Certificates
• FBI Criminal Background Check

We obtain certified copies when needed and manage the apostille process at both the state and federal levels.

4. Couples Planning a Destination Wedding

If you’re marrying in Costa Rica, you’ll likely need:

• Birth Certificates
• Divorce Decrees (if previously married)

We ensure your personal documents are properly authenticated so your wedding day isn’t delayed by paperwork issues.

Here’s how we manage the most common requirements:

• Birth Certificates: We obtain new long-form certified copies from Massachusetts Town Clerks or the Registry of Vital Records and apostille them in Boston.
• Marriage Certificates: We secure the correct certified version and process the state-level apostille.
• FBI Background Checks: These federal documents must be apostilled in Washington, D.C.—we handle this entire submission for you.
• Income Verification (Social Security/Pension): These federal benefit letters also require a D.C. apostille, which we process on your behalf.
• Divorce Decrees: We obtain certified court records in Massachusetts and manage the state apostille process.
• Business Records: Articles of Incorporation, bylaws, and corporate authorizations are authenticated for use in Costa Rica.

When you choose Boston Notary Service, you’re choosing decades of experience and a system designed to keep your documents moving.

Step 1: Free Consultation & Checklist
We review your goals (retirement, residency, marriage, or business) and provide a customized checklist of documents.

Step 2: State & Federal Submissions
We take over the process:

• Massachusetts state documents → Submitted in Boston at the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
• Federal documents → Submitted in Washington, D.C. at the U.S. Department of State.

Step 3: Updates & Secure Delivery
We keep you informed every step of the way. Once complete, we review and deliver your fully apostilled documents, ready for translation and submission to Costa Rican authorities.

How long does the process take?

• Massachusetts state documents: Often processed in just a few business days.
• Federal documents: The U.S. Department of State can take weeks or months. We work with D.C. couriers to expedite whenever possible.

Do apostilles expire?
Technically, no—but Costa Rica usually requires documents to be issued within the past 6 months, sometimes as little as 90 days. That’s why timing is critical.

Do I need translations?
Yes. After your apostilles are issued, your documents must be translated into Spanish by a translator recognized in Costa Rica.

Can Boston Notary Service handle both state and federal documents?
Absolutely. State-issued documents are authenticated in Boston; federal documents go to Washington, D.C. We handle both paths for you seamlessly.

There are plenty of ways to make mistakes with the apostille process: ordering the wrong type of birth certificate, submitting a federal document to the state office, or missing critical deadlines. Every error costs you time—and in some cases, derails your Costa Rica plans.

With Boston Notary Service, you gain:

• Decades of document expertise in Massachusetts and federal authentications
• Personalized guidance tailored to your specific residency, marriage, or business needs
• Expedited options to minimize long federal wait times
• Peace of mind knowing your paperwork is handled correctly the first time

Your new life in Costa Rica should be filled with excitement—not anxiety about government paperwork. Let Boston Notary Service be your trusted partner for apostille services in Massachusetts and Washington, D.C.

📞 Call us today at 617.230.6676 or 📧 email info@bostonnotaryservice.us for your free consultation. We’ll create a simple, clear plan and handle the entire apostille process—so you can focus on embracing Pura Vida.