I have initiated my trial by fire, seeking CR permanent residency; which should be no sweat given that I am married to a Tica and have 2 Tica daughters. Note that I am applying for a VINCULO FAMILIAR CON COSTARRICENSE, the requirements for other types of visas are different. The challenge is obtaining the documents from CR without returning to the US.
I will be making the application, CARTA DE SOLICITUD, directly (there is a form); that is to say without the use of an attorney, and obviously assembling the document package myself.
I requested a certified copy of my birth certificate and had same notarized by the US Embassy for $50.00. An international money order was required for payment to CA. When my daughter in the US receives it, she will send it back to CA where for another $20.00 the state will certify that the signature is valid. Then she will send it to me (with a cashier's check for the CR Consulate in CA) so that I can have it translated by someone on the list of the Minestero de Relaciones Exteriores, then back to the CR Consulate in CA with the $40 check. And back again to my daughter, who will then send it to me.
whew (estimated time - 2 months)
The Police good conduct report is much more difficult, to request such from CA by mail requires ones fingerprints on a hard form FD258.
-> Does anyone know if a hard form FD258 can be had in CR??
The Archivo Policial are the same people that will take one's prints for the CR check (a photo and marriage certificate from the Registro Civil also needed), and with a 15 colone legal paper will complete and certify the FD258 prints and identity. Of course this certification must be translated and accompany the request form with another international money order to CA for payment.
Next will be a (certified/notarized of course) copy of all pages of the passport.
will update as I learn more
Ron, please advise if you see something amiss.
Bill
edit: a useful link (if you know just what to ask !)
immigration phone numbers - in Spanish