CPG Legal – Attorneys at law.

Notary Public in Costa Rica. Serving Nosara, Guanacaste and San José.

English-speaking Notary Public (Notario Público) in Costa Rica. For over twenty years, I have drafted, notarized, and registered public deeds throughout the country. As a result, clients in San José and Guanacaste rely on us for clear guidance and precise execution. In addition, we travel when needed and coordinate signings so you can complete your transaction without stress. Therefore, if you require a notarized act or a certified document, we can handle it from consultation to registration.  

I have been practicing as a notary public in Costa Rica for twenty years. Contact me for real estate closings in Costa Rica or any other notarized service.  We will ensure that the property purchase goes smoothly and correctly.  I would also be happy to serve as your notary public for any other notarized services you may require.

Diagram showing notary public services in Costa Rica such as real estate closings, wills, and powers of attorney by CPG Legal.

Do you provide notarized services all over Costa Rica?

Yes, we provide nationwide notary services. We regularly work in San José and Guanacaste, and we also cover Alajuela, Heredia, Cartago, Limón, and Puntarenas. For example, we prepare and register purchase deeds, last wills and testaments, divorce agreements, powers of attorney, and corporate acts. Moreover, we coordinate signings in Santa Teresa, Cobano, Malpaís, Nosara, Flamingo, Papagayo, Hermosa, Jacó, Tamarindo, Las Catalinas, Dominical, and Osa. As a result, you can finalize your documents wherever you are in Costa Rica.

Companies.

LLCs and Standard Corporations.
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Corporate notarized services:

  • Company incorporations such as LLCs and Standard Corporations.
  • Modifications to the articles of incorporation.
  • Share capital increases.
  • Board of Director appointments.
  • Shareholder Assembly notarization.
  • Corporative modifications and certifications.

What exactly is a Notary Public in Costa Rica?

A Notary Public performs a public legal function in a private capacity. We advise on notarized contracts and acts, then we draft the deed, authenticate identities, and sign in protocol. Afterward, we register the document in the corresponding registry when the law requires it. In Costa Rica, only attorneys who meet additional requirements can act as Notaries Public. Therefore, every notarial act must follow strict formalities to guarantee legal certainty and public faith.

Real Estate.

Property purchases.
Real estate closings.

Property and Registry Notarizations:

  • Property transfers and donation deeds.
  • House purchases.
  • Transfer deeds and boundary corrections.
  • Real Estate Purchases.
  • Registration at the Public Registry. 
  • Property Trusts.

Do you give an international service as a notary public?

We can coordinate international signings when necessary. Costa Rican law requires you to sign before the Notary Public. Consequently, we arrange travel or cross-border coordination so you can sign in person when urgent matters arise. In every case, we prepare the deed, verify your identity, and handle the formalities to keep the document valid.

Vehicle Transfers.

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Vehicle notarized services:

  • Vehicle purchases and donations. (Be sure to have the INS Marchamo paid.)
  • Motorcycle donations and transfers.
  • Registration at the Public Registry. 
  • Vehicle loan structures that include constitutions and cancellations.
Notarized services in Costa Rica. Notary public.
What is the difference between an attorney and a notary public in Costa Rica?

Attorneys represent you; Notaries Public formalize and legalize your acts. First, an attorney earns a law degree and bar admission. Then, after meeting additional requirements, the attorney may qualify as a Notary Public. In practice, we keep neutrality when we notarize a deed, and we ensure the document reflects both parties’ will. Meanwhile, your attorney can still advise you to protect your interests before you sign.  Continue reading for some of the notarized legal services I can provide for you:

What are the notarized services you provide as a Notary Public in San Jose?

They include but are not limited to: notarized corporate acts, such as company incorporations and modifications.  They also include real estate transfers (purchase agreements, donations) and their registration in the Public Registry.  Notarized contracts, acts, last wills and testaments, and civil marriages.  In that same capacity are mutually consented divorces and notarized authentications and certifications.  In that capacity, I can certify copies of original documents and constitute trusts, powers of attorney, mortgages, liens, and all protocolizations.  Are you ready to buy the home of your dreams in Guanacaste?  Then I am the correct attorney and notary public for you!

Estate and Probate.

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Estate planning services:

What notary services does a Notary Public provide in Costa Rica?

We provide a public legal service in Costa Rica. We are imbued with what’s called “public faith.” In contrast to an attorney, the notary can’t refuse a client for notarized transactions and acts. He must be impartial and act according to both parties’ will when constructing a public document, such as a purchase land agreement. 

A notary public (notario público in Spanish) is only necessary if a notarized public service is required. Usually, legal paperwork must be registered in the Public Registry. During a notarized transaction, the notary will authenticate the person´s signature. As a notary, I will ensure that the transaction is done according to what both parties want.  I must act impartially and register the notarized document in the Public Registry. 

Powers of attorney.

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Powers of Attorney.

  • Absolute powers of attorney. (Poder Generalísmo.)
  • Corporate and personal powers of attorney.
  • General Judicial powers of attorney. (Poder general judicial)
  • All types of notarized powers of attorney. (Poder General, poder especial.)

Can a corporate attorney offer notary public services in Costa Rica?

A corporate attorney can provide notarized services in Costa Rica only if he is a notary public and acting in that capacity. Remember that lawyering and notarization are different things. A lawyer is usually hired to represent you in litigation. Still, it’s a good idea to have a corporate lawyer by your side when a notary public drafts the notarized paperwork to ensure everything has been done correctly. For example, your business attorney in Costa Rica will do the proper due diligence for the real estate property you wish to buy. He will also revise the notarized paperwork done by the notary public for you. 

Divorce.

Mutually consented divorce.
Family Law.

Marriages.

Notarized civil marriages.
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How are notarized documents registered in Costa Rica?

Many transactions must be registered in the two significant registries in Costa Rica. Some acts are registered in the Civil Registry of Costa Rica, and others are registered in the Public Registry of Costa Rica. These transactions and acts are signed in a public “scripture,” or “escritura,” that is done in a unique book called “The Protocole” or “Protocolo.” These transactions are called “public transactions” and are done in a “public scripture” due to the public interest the law gives to these transactions and acts. 

What sort of identification must I show, for all notarized documents?

Bring official identification that matches the signature in the deed. If you reside in Costa Rica, present your cédula de residencia. Otherwise, bring your passport. Please note: a driver’s license does not qualify as official ID for notarial purposes.

I am looking for a Notary Public in San José. What are your legal fees?

Legal fees is the amount of money that the notary public earns for providing the service.  However, you will find that many of the notarized services we provide require registration in Costa Rica´s public institutions, such as the Public Registry.  These types of registrations usually carry registration costs and taxes.  For example, if you wish to sell or buy a car, you must pay the legal fees, transfer taxes and registration costs.  The same goes for property transfer costs.  I will always provide you with legal documentation and justification, with the exact amounts. for you to be clear on what exactly it is you are paying for.  

Is a notary public (notario público) necessary for an affidavit?

Affidavits in Costa Rica are notarized sworn statements that you must make for several acts and diverse legal purposes. An affidavit is a written statement made under oath or affirmation, declaring the truthfulness of the information contained within it. In Costa Rica, affidavits are known as “Declaraciones Juradas,” which translates to “sworn declarations.”

In Costa Rica, affidavits are notarized sworn statements required for various legal purposes. An affidavit is a written statement made under oath or affirmation, declaring the truthfulness of the information within it. In Costa Rica, affidavits are called “Declaraciones Juradas,” which translates to “sworn declarations.”  An affidavit is typically required for various notarized acts. For instance, when purchasing real estate, the notary public includes an affidavit in the notarized sales contract. The individual is notified of the penalty for perjury and false testimony and must disclose the source of the funds used for the purchase. Affidavits are utilized in many other acts, such as civil marriage.

One crucial requirement for affidavits in Costa Rica is that they must be signed in the presence of a notary public. It’s essential to take affidavits seriously, as providing false information can have penal consequences. Perjury, which involves knowingly making false statements under oath, is a criminal offense punishable by law. This emphasizes the significance of honesty and accuracy when creating and signing affidavits, as any attempt to deceive may lead to legal repercussions.

What other notarized services do you offer?

We are pleased to assist with notarized authentications, certifications, and acts. We can also help you establish various types of trusts, or “fideicomisos.” As we are vested with public faith, we are authorized to perform notarized acts to document factual situations. For instance, we can attest to the status of a construction project or serve legal documents to a person who has been sued.

CONCLUSIONS

An attorney in Costa Rica is hired for a particular purpose regarding law consultation, litigation, or arbitration. He is the one “at your corner” to represent you.   On the other hand, as Notary publics, we must be impartial,  when we provide notarial services.  As a notary public, I am providing a public paid service, and has nothing to do, with acting as an attorney.  To be clear, one thing is to be an attorney, and another totally different is the function one gives as a notary public (notario público).  Looking for more information? Visit our general legal services page to learn how we can help.

Dr. Christopher Pirie.

Attorney in Costa Rica.

Law offices in San José.  Availability in Guanacaste as well.

Contact us for a notary public in Costa Rica.