Implementation of the electronic apostille in costa rica: when, how, and why it matters
October 8, 2026
On September 14, 2026, Costa Rica launched its electronic apostille service. Drawing on many years of experience handling documentation for immigration proceedings in Costa Rica and across GLC Legal’s regional offices, I can confidently say that when digital or electronic apostilles are available, obtaining documents becomes significantly faster and more efficient, reducing the time required to complete the entire process.
Background: The Hague Apostille Convention
The Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents, commonly known as the Apostille Convention, was adopted in The Hague on October 5, 1961.
Costa Rica acceded to the Convention relatively late. The Legislative Assembly approved its accession through Law No. 8923, published in La Gaceta No. 47 on March 8, 2011. This means that Costa Rica remained outside the Convention for more than fifty years.
Previous Document Procedures: Consular Legalization
Those of us who worked in this field before Costa Rica acceded to the Apostille Convention know that the legalization process made administrative procedures considerably more time-consuming. In some cases, by the time a Costa Rican citizen or another interested party needed to use a Costa Rican document for a particular proceeding, the document had already expired, requiring the process to be repeated and additional costs to be incurred. Nevertheless, this procedure remains in effect and is still required when documents are to be used abroad, specifically in countries that are not parties to the Convention.
How the Electronic Apostille Works in Costa Rica
The platform is accessible 24 hours a day and allows users to process 91 types of documents issued by 18 Costa Rican institutions. Applications can be submitted directly through the following link: https://e-apostilla.rree.go.cr/aposprod/f?p=101
Importantly, interested parties can request an electronic apostille from anywhere in the world through the link provided above. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship has also arranged for the system to be implemented in phases.
How to Apply for an Electronic Apostille Online
The procedure is straightforward: users sign in with an account linked to their national identification number and a password, and then request the relevant document. Once the application has been submitted, documents are issued within the following three business days, provided the information supplied is free of errors.
Electronic Apostille: Availability, Document Types, and Processing Times
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Current scope | 18 public institutions; 91 document types |
| Access | From anywhere in the world at e-apostilla.rree.go.cr |
| Availability | 24/7; applicable stamp duties are paid online |
| Processing time | Up to three business days after submission, provided the information contains no errors |
In Which Countries Is Costa Rica’s Electronic Apostille Valid?
However, these documents will have legal effect only in countries that are parties to the Hague Convention and in which the Convention is in force. Accordingly, before requesting any document, it is essential to confirm that the country where the applicant is located—or the country in which the document is intended to take effect—is a party to the Convention. This can be verified using the Convention’s status table published by the Hague Conference on Private International Law. If the destination country is not a party, the document must undergo consular legalization, as explained above.
Document Requirements for the Electronic Apostille
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship’s e-Apostille platform sets out the following requirements:
“Electronic documents must be in PDF format. Documents must clearly identify the issuing institution. Documents must clearly state the name and position of the official who signs them. The authorized official’s signature must be in digital format, and its certificate must be verifiable through the Digital Signature System provided by the Central Bank of Costa Rica. The same requirements apply to documents containing translations prepared by official translators that are to be electronically apostilled. Verify the officials accredited with the Authentication Department here: https://www.rree.go.cr/?sec=servicios&cat=autenticaciones&cont=732 (link to officials accredited to use digital signatures).”
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship, e-Apostille platform, https://e-apostilla.rree.go.cr/aposprod/f?p=101
Why the Electronic Apostille Matters for Costa Rica
As I have noted, through my experience coordinating matters among GLC Legal’s offices across the region, I have seen that in countries where digital apostilles are already available, documents can be obtained in days rather than weeks, allowing immigration and corporate matters to progress without relying on physical travel or document shipments.
In my view, the digital or electronic apostille will genuinely expedite document processing and help Costa Rica regain a competitive advantage in an area where the country had fallen behind. The benefits are direct: shorter processing times, lower costs, and a reduced risk of documents expiring before the procedure is completed.
Finally, based on my experience, and as I mentioned at the beginning of this article, access to this type of digital apostille service was a fundamental necessity. We hope that the range of documents available through the platform will gradually expand, making it easier for Costa Rican citizens to obtain the various documents they need for use abroad.
Eugenia Víquez Rodríguez
Regional Director, GLC Legal
Sources
- Teletica — Ministry of Foreign Affairs launches electronic apostilles for 91 document types from 18 institutions (September 14, 2026)
- Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) — Law approving accession to the Convention (Law No. 8923)
- Hague Conference on Private International Law — Apostille Convention status table
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship — e-Apostille platform
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship — Officials accredited to use digital signatures
