Notary Public in Costa Rica. ☎️ San José and Guanacaste notary.
As a Notary Public, I can offer you various notary services. My office is in San José, Costa Rica, but we offer notarized services anywhere in the country, including Guanacaste. If you need a notarized act or legal document, you should hire us. We can arrange international travel if you don’t want to come to Costa Rica personally. From authentications and certifications to property transfers and last wills.
I have been practicing as a notary public in Costa Rica for twenty years. Contact me to buy that beach house in Guanacaste or property elsewhere in Costa Rica. We will ensure that the property purchase goes smoothly and correctly. I will also be happy to be your notary public for any other notarized service you require.
Do you provide notarized services all over Costa Rica?
Yes, that is correct. I can and will perform the notarized service that you need anywhere in the country. As you know, Costa Rica has several provinces: San Jose, Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Puntarenas, and Limon. Over the past 20 years, my colleagues and I have performed many notarized acts, and legal documents such as purchase agreements, last wills and testaments, divorce agreements, and many more. So if you want to buy a house in Costa Rica or a beautiful beach property, I am your attorney and notary public for the job.
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?
While attorneys provide legal representation in trials, notaries are hired to assist in notarized matters regarding legal documents. We are performing a paid public function, which is exercised privately. This “public function” involves advising people on contractual notarized matters. It also involves redacting notarized contracts, legal documents and acts, and their proper registration.
It also consists of certifying the existence of events that happen in front of us through notarized acts. This is called “public faith.” We can also certify legal documents and perform notarized signature authentications. The notary public is the second step for any professional who becomes an attorney. Only when you are fully licensed to practice law and a member of the Bar can you opt to become a Notary Public. All of our attorneys in our legal firm are notary publics.
Real Estate notarized services:
- Property transfers.
- House purchases.
- Transfer deeds.
- Property boundary corrections.
- Real estate donation transfers.
- Real estate and property sales agreements.
- Registration at the Public Registry.
- Property Trusts.
Do you give an international service as a notary public?
Yes. You should know that notarized acts and documents require that you sign them in front of the physical persona of the notary public. The signing is done in the notary´s protocol. The notarized documents are null and void if not done in the notary public´s presence, so we will gladly send the notary public to your country and location if you have an urgent matter and can´t fly to Costa Rica. So yes, we do provide a notarized international service for our clients.
Vehicle notarized services:
- Vehicle purchases and donations.
- Motorcycle donations and transfers.
- Registration at the Public Registry.
- Vehicle loan structures that include constitutions and cancellations.
What is the difference between an attorney and a notary public in Costa Rica?
In Costa Rica you must first become an attorney. After two years of practice, and a master´s degree, you can become a public notary. So, to become an attorney, one must first attend law school and pass the Costa Rican Bar Association. Hence, I am a lawyer first and foremost; later, I became a notary public. Once the applicant fills in the requirements, the attorney achieves the status of Notary Public and may practice as such in Costa Rica. 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?
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 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 planning services:
- Notarized final wills and testaments.
- Testament registration.
- Notarized probate procedures.
- Estate Trusts.
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 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.
- 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.
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?
Before reading and signing the notarized documents, I must first verify your identity. If you are a Costa Rican resident, your resident identification or “cedula de residencia”, is all we need to proceed. If you are not a resident, then your passport will be sufficient to identify you. All notarized documents must be signed exactly as your identification document, therefore only an official identification document will suffice. Alas, your driver´s license is not considered an official document to be able to identify you, so be sure to bring your passport, or your resident identification.
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 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.
Dr. Christopher Pirie.
Law offices in San José. Availability in Guanacaste as well.