Do You Have to Renounce Your Citizenship for Costa Rica Naturalization?

Do You Have to Renounce Your Citizenship for Costa Rica Naturalization? This is one of the most persistent questions among long-term residents in Costa Rica when they are faced with the process to become Costa Rican citizen. The concern is understandable: for many, citizenship represents heritage, family ties, retirement benefits, and legal identity. The idea of giving it up can feel daunting — and in some cases, legally irreversible.

Costa Rica’s naturalization system, however, is not as rigid as people imagine. While the law requires certain applicants to present a formal renunciation, the requirement is symbolic rather than absolute, and it does not affect everyone. More importantly, Costa Rica does not demand proof that your original nationality was actually cancelled.

To understand how naturalization works in Costa Rica — and what the “renunciation” requirement really means — we have to separate law from practice. This guide explains exactly who must renounce, who is exempt, and how the process works for citizens of the United States, Canada, Europe, and Latin America.

Costa Rica Allows Dual Citizenship — So Why Is There a Renunciation Requirement?

Costa Rica’s Constitution permits dual citizenship, and naturalized citizens are not required to abandon the nationality they already have. Yet Article 14 and Article 15 of the Constitution include a phrase that has caused confusion for decades: foreigners applying for naturalization must “renounce their previous nationality.”

This sentence has survived since a time when many countries believed a person could only hold allegiance to one State. Costa Rica has modernized its immigration system, but the naturalization law has never been fully updated. As a result, the requirement remains on paper even though it no longer produces its original effect.

Today, the renunciation requirement is treated as a declaration, not a legal cancellation. It is essentially a ceremonial statement the applicant swears before a notary or the Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones (TSE) as part of the naturalization process. Costa Rica does not ask the applicant to prove that their home country accepted that renunciation.

Who Must Formally “Renounce” Their Other Citizenship?

There is only one group of applicants required to file this declaration:

A) Naturalization by Residency (the 7-year or 5-year rule)

This applies to foreigners who:

• Have resided in Costa Rica for 7 years, or
• 5 years if married to a Costa Rican, or
• 5 years if the applicant is from Spain, Latin America, or Central America (reciprocity rules)

These applicants must submit a declaration of renunciation of their previous nationality as part of the naturalization file.

This declaration is not sent to the foreign government, and Costa Rica does not verify whether the other nationality is actually lost. The home country may entirely ignore the declaration — and in most cases, it does.

Who Is Exempt From Renouncing Their Foreign Citizenship?

Several categories of applicants do not need to renounce any citizenship:

A) Citizenship by Marriage (Option by Marriage)

A foreigner married to a Costa Rican for at least two years may apply for citizenship through the “opción” category. No renunciation statement is required.

B) Children of Costa Ricans Born Abroad (Option by Descent)

People whose parent is Costa Rican may acquire citizenship by “opción” without renunciation.

C) Adoption, Parental Link, and Constitutional Options

These categories also avoid the renunciation requirement.

Summary Table

What the Renunciation Requirement Really Means

The declaration is simple. The applicant signs a notarized document stating:

“Renuncio a mi nacionalidad (país) con el fin de adquirir la nacionalidad costarricense.”

This statement fulfills the constitutional requirement. It does not cause the legal loss of nationality in another State.

Why not?

Because only the individual’s home country can determine the conditions under which its citizenship is lost. Costa Rica has no jurisdiction to cancel nationality issued by another sovereign State.

Countries that do not accept Costa Rica’s renunciation declaration:

• United States
• Canada
• United Kingdom
• France
• Germany
• Spain
• Italy
• Most Latin American countries

These States require a formal renunciation process conducted before their own authorities, not a Costa Rican affidavit.

Therefore, naturalization applicants usually become dual citizens, even when they sign the Costa Rican renunciation statement.

How This Affects U.S. Citizens: The Most Common Confusion

Many Americans fear that applying for Costa Rican citizenship will force them to give up U.S. nationality. This is incorrect.

Facts:

• The U.S. does not recognize Costa Rican renunciation declarations.
• The only legal renunciation of U.S. citizenship occurs through a $2,350 consular process at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
• Naturalizing in Costa Rica does not trigger loss of U.S. citizenship.
• Tax obligations, FATCA reporting, and FBAR filings continue until the person formally renounces before the U.S. government.

In practice, almost every American who naturalizes in Costa Rica becomes a dual U.S.–Costa Rican citizen unless they voluntarily initiate the U.S. renunciation process.

What Happens If Your Home Country Actually Removes Your Citizenship?

A small number of States (for example, Japan or Singapore) may restrict dual citizenship.

If the applicant comes from a country that does not allow dual nationality:

• Costa Rica will still naturalize the applicant.
• The foreign government may independently strip the applicant of its nationality.
• This is handled entirely by the foreign State, not Costa Rica.

Costa Rica does not intervene.

Practical Steps for Applicants Applying Under the Residency Path

To complete the naturalization process, the applicant must provide:

• A notarized declaration renouncing their foreign nationality
• A recent birth certificate
• Criminal records
• Proof of residency years
• Spanish language certification
• Civic knowledge exam
• Proof of income or means of support

Once the file is complete, the TSE evaluates it and, if approved, schedules the citizenship oath.

At no point does Costa Rica verify with the foreign government whether the renunciation was effective.

Key Takeaway for 2026 Applicants

The renunciation requirement is symbolic, not enforceable. Costa Rica respects dual citizenship and does not demand proof of citizenship loss from other States. The declaration exists to satisfy constitutional language that has not been modernized — nothing more.

For most expats, naturalization creates dual nationality, not replacement of one passport with another.