U.S. citizen services

The Consular Section will be closed on Thursday February 11 for personnel training. Only American Citizen Services will be available for emergencies.

The United States government has no higher responsibility than to serve and protect its citizens, including those who live or are traveling abroad. To this end, the American Citizen Services Unit in Costa Rica provides prompt, courteous, and efficient services to United States Citizens and other clients, consistent with U.S. laws and regulations.

American citizens can apply for U.S. passports, document their foreign-born children who qualify as U.S. citizens, have documents to be used in the U.S. notarized, and request help in an emergency. The Embassy also provides assistance to recipients of Social Security and other U.S. federal benefits.

For general information, please explore the links to your left. If you cannot find the information that you are looking for you may also send an e-mail to ConsularSanJose@State.gov

If you have an emergency concerning a U.S. citizen in Costa Rica, please see our emergency contact information.

Hours of Operation

(Note: the Embassy is closed on U.S. and Costa Rican Holidays)

Location and Address

Location: At the intersection of Avenida Central and Calle 120 in the Pavas Section of San José, Costa Rica.

Local Mailing Address: 920-1200 San José, Costa Rica 

U.S. Mailing Address: US Embassy San Jose, DPO AA 34020

(American Citizen Services does not play a role in visa services for foreign citizens who wish to travel to the United States. Please click on ‘Visas’ (above) for visa information.)

Acquiring Birth Cerificate Abroad (CRBA) 

Beginning June 1, 2007, an appointment will be required for those American citizens applying for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) for their children with claims to U.S. citizenship. The new process will follow the steps listed below:

• Anyone may pick up the packet of required forms at the Consular Section any weekday morning or download the forms from our website at http://www.state.gov/m/a/dir/forms/
• Once the forms are completed, either parent can return the forms (with the required supporting documentation) to the Consular Section any weekday morning (excluding holidays). Any fees associated with this service should also be paid at this time. Please note that the child's presence is NOT necessary at this stage of the process.
• Once the Consular Section receives the completed forms and supporting documentation they will be reviewed and within a few days the applicants will be contacted about scheduling the date and time for an interview before a consular officer. 
• On the day and time of the interview, both parents and the child must be present

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