Costa Rica: Information on how a person who was a naturalized Costa Rican could recover that citizenship after losing it by becoming a naturalized Venezuelan
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 November 1997 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | CRI28198.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Costa Rica: Information on how a person who was a naturalized Costa Rican could recover that citizenship after losing it by becoming a naturalized Venezuelan, 1 November 1997, CRI28198.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ac6aa0.html [accessed 8 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
According to information provided during a 4 November 1997 telephone interview with an official of the Direccion General de Migracion y Extranjeria in San Jose, Costa Rica, a person who lost his or her Costa Rican nationality can become a naturalized Costa Rican again by meeting the normal naturalization requirements, such as a period of residence in Costa Rica before applying.
Constitutional changes in 1995 made it possible for Costa Ricans to hold multiple nationalities; a grace period following the enactment of the amendments allowed those who lost their Costa Rican nationality due to acquisition of another nationality to recover their Costa Rican nationality (ibid.). The representative pointed out that not all persons who acquired another nationality before the constitutional amendments necessarily lost their Costa Rican nationality: earlier constitutional and legal instruments allowed Costa Ricans to hold nationalities of certain other countries; and in some cases the acquisition of another nationality may have gone unreported to Costa Rican authorities. The representative stated that an accurate statement on loss or recovery of Costa Rican nationality applicable in all instances cannot be made. The only way a person can know whether they still hold Costa Rican nationality is to request verification through the civil registry or through a Costa Rican diplomatic or consular representation. The only way to know for certain whether a person can recover their lost nationality is by applying and having the specific case reviewed by the pertinent authorities.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
Reference
Direccion General de Migracion y Extranjeria, San Jose. 4 November 1997. Telephone interview with official.
