Costa Rica Civil Registration

''Central America Costa Rica

Introduction
Civil registration of births, marriages, and deaths began in 1888.

Births (nacimientos)

 * Costa Rica Civil Registration 1860-1975 (FamilySearch Historical Records)

Marriages (matrimonios, casamientos)

 * Costa Rica Marriages 1785-1910 (FamilySearch Historical Records)
 * Costa Rica Civil Registration 1860-1975 (FamilySearch Historical Records)

Deaths (defunciones)

 * Costa Rica Civil Registration 1860-1975 (FamilySearch Historical Records)
 * Costa Rica Deaths 1787-1900 (FamilySearch Historical Records)

Search Strategies
To effectively use civil records, follow these steps:


 * 1) Search for the relative or ancestor you have selected. When you find the person’s birth record, search for the births of his or her brothers and sisters.
 * 2) Search for the marriage of his or her parents. The marriage record will often give you information that leads to the parents’ birth record.
 * 3) Estimate the parents’ age and search for their birth records.
 * 4) Repeat the process for both the father and mother.
 * 5) If earlier generations are not in the record, search neighboring municipios.
 * 6) Search the death records for all family members.

Searching Births, Marriages and Deaths in the Costa Rica Civil Registry

 * 1) Access Civil Registry section of the Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones de Costa Rica
 * 2) To find citizens, select "consulta por nombre y apellidos" www.tse.go.cr/consulta_persona/consulta_nombres.aspx
 * 3) Enter the first name and maiden name of the person being searched
 * 4) In the results window, select the person from the list and click "Realizar Consulta" near the bottom of the list
 * 5) The profile for the individual is displayed showing birth date, names of parents and death date, if applicable. Click on any links to get additional details.
 * 6) To find marriages or death records, repeat steps 2 to 4, selecting "consulta de matrimonios" or "consulta de defunciones"
 * 7) The profiles for the married couple or the deceased person is displayed, showing marriage or death dates and names of parents.

Websites

 * 1) Costa Rica Index of Marriages and Deaths from the late 1800s to 1900s. www.tse.go.cr/consulta_persona/menu.htm