Costa Rica to Canada Spousal Sponsorship
Last updated: January, 2026
Are you planning to sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner from Costa Rica to Canada? You may be wondering whether Costa Rica adds any specific hurdles to the process.
The short answer is: yes, but they’re mostly about format, not extra forms. While Costa Rica does not require additional IRCC country-specific forms, applications are often delayed when applicants don’t follow the rules on government-certified true copies and marriage certificates issued by the Registro Civil.
With Costa Rica applications, the strongest files are the ones that treat Costa Rica’s document-format rules as non-negotiable: government-certified true copies for official documents, marriage certificates issued by the Registro Civil, and clean, consistent translation packages for anything not in English or French.
Between 2016 and 2025, our Canadian immigration consultants assisted 67 clients from Costa Rica, so we know exactly where Costa Rica-based sponsorship applications tend to get stuck—and how to prevent those issues. If you’d like a full overview, you can read our detailed guide on the Spousal Sponsorship Program, review our fees, and book an appointment for more personalized guidance based on your situation.
Country-Specific Documents
Additional forms for residents
There are no extra IRCC forms for applicants residing in Costa Rica.
Costa Rica – document instructions
Costa Rica has two key document-format rules:
Government-certified true copies
Official documents issued in Costa Rica must be submitted as government-certified true copies. That means:
- The copy is certified as authentic by the same government office that issued the original
- It is signed and stamped with an official seal
Regular photocopies or uncertified copies are not enough and often trigger document re-requests.
Marriage certificates (Registro Civil only)
If you are using a Costa Rican marriage certificate as proof of marriage, it must be:
- Issued by the “Registro Civil” (the civil registry)
Church or informal certificates, or documents issued outside the civil registry, are not accepted as primary proof of marriage.
The Hidden Hurdle
Translations
Many Costa Rican civil documents are in Spanish. If a document is not in English or French, you must submit:
- the original document (or required certified copy), and
- a certified translation that meets IRCC standards
Make sure that:
- Names, dates, and places match exactly between the original and translation
- Accents and spelling are handled consistently to avoid identity confusion
Biometrics
Biometrics aren’t Costa Rica–specific, but timing matters for all applicants:
- In most cases, you’ll give fingerprints and a photo after you apply
- You must wait for IRCC to issue a Biometrics Instruction Letter (BIL)
- You cannot complete biometrics in advance without that letter
Planning for this step (and not panicking if it doesn’t come immediately) helps keep your expectations realistic.
Top Mistakes to Avoid
Some of the most common reasons Costa Rica applications are delayed include:
- Submitting official documents that are not government-certified true copies
- Using a marriage certificate not issued by the Registro Civil
- Relying on church certificates or non-civil records as main proof of marriage
- Uploading Spanish-language documents without a certified translation
Translations that don’t match the original names/dates exactly
