Our clients and people interested in a residency in Costa Rica, have been told about the requirement of two different fingerprints, one for the background check and the other for the Costa Rican local police station.

I know, they sound the same and it has generated confusion. That’s why we decided to make a guide with frequently asked questions and everything you should know about these procedures.

Fingerprints for Background Checks

What are they and what are they used for?

These fingerprints are used to obtain an official background check document from the country of origin or the country where the person has lived for the last 3 years. Examples of these fingerprints are the ones for FBI background checks in the United States and RCMP background checks in Canada.

Why are they important?

Because they help us to obtain an official document with the corresponding apostille or legalization, that will let us know if the person has a criminal record.

This is beneficial since it allows you to request the background check without the need to be present in the country. It is also an option to speed up the process of obtaining a document without the need for the person concerned to be in the country of origin of the document.

With this background check, the authorities (Immigration in case of residency or the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) for citizenship) will know if the person has any criminal background (record) that should be taken into account and thus be able to give their opinion on the matter.

Is there another alternative to obtain this document in Costa Rica without having to go to the country where the document comes from?

Yes, it is possible to obtain the background checks from Canada or the United States while you are in Costa Rica or Panama. 

Where and how can I take these fingerprints in Costa Rica to obtain my background check?

Our sister company OLS Documents provides this service for anyone who needs it.

All you have to do is contact them and come to an appointment in person at any of our two offices (Escazú, San José or Liberia, Guanacaste) to have your fingerprints taken. This appointment will take no more than an hour approximately.

In what format are they taken?

For the background checks from the FBI in the United States, it is possible to obtaint he fingerprints electronically with a fingerprint scanner. They are immediately sent to the FBI and results can be obtained withing 28 hours.

For background checks from the RCMP in Canada, the fingeprints must be taken in ink cards. They are then sent to Canada via certified mail and they are processed by the RCMP within five to six weeks.

What happens if I do not submit a background check on my residency/citizenship application?

The authority in charge will ask you to submit the missing document and if you do not submit it, your residency/citizenship will be rejected.

Is it significant to file a background check for my residency/citizenship application?

Yes, without filing this essential document, your application will not move forward. An important point is that either authority will first issue a notice of action to request the missing documentation, however if you fail to comply with this in the given timeframe, your application will be denied.

Fingerprints from Costa Rican Police

What are these fingerprints and what are they used for?

These fingerprints are used at a local level in Costa Rica, to have them in the database of the Ministry of Security (Ministerio de Seguridad Publica).

Where and how can I get these fingerprints taken in Costa Rica?

These are done at the police station by appointment, and are taken by the Ministry of Security officials. For this there are different offices nationwide that perform this process.

These offices are: San José, Liberia, Cartago, Heredia, Puntarenas (Chacarita), Limón, San Carlos, Ciudad Neily (Corredores), Upala, Perez Zeledón, Sarapiquí and Guápiles.

In what format are they taken?

These fingerprints are made with ink, so it is always better to carry with you some alcohol and tissues so that you can get your hands cleaned up after.

Why are they important?

They are important for the authorities as well as for the person. In this appointment you will be asked for location data, physical description (tattoos or scars), occupation and other pertinent information.

With all this information and the fingerprints, they will be able to distinguish the person. For example: if something happens to the person but he/she does not have the identification documents at the time of the event, the physical description or fingerprints can be used to know who he/she is.

Is there any other alternative to obtain this document?

No, the Ministry of Security is the only authority that is authorized to carry out this process, so it is mandatory to do it with them.

What happens if I do not present proof of these fingerprints in my application? 

By a new rule in the immigration law, it is not necessary to present this document at the time of the residency application. However, once the residency is approved, Immigration will require that when the person is documented, i.e. the DIMEX process, the person must present these fingerprints.

For the citizenship process it is not necessary, because the authorities will take them when the person makes their identity card.

With all this information, we can conclude that neither is more important than the other and that both are necessary to start a life in Costa Rica as a resident or citizen. We hope this information helps you and clears any doubts you may have regarding the differences between these two processes.