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Frequently asked questions

To ensure clarity when deciding on the type of service required, please go over this section to correctly assess your needs. 

Do I need a translator to accompany me to a court hearing?

1.

No, you need an interpreter, preferably an official one, to provide specialized oral interpretation services.  Official interpreters carry an ID card that allows them to identify themselves to the judicial and/or administrative authorities.

2.

Who appoints official translators and interpreters?

Official translators and interpreters are appointed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Costa Rica after their professional credentials undergo a lengthy review and examination process.

3.

How do I know if my document needs to be officially translated?

An official translation carries public faith; therefore, it must be accepted by any official of a public or private institution inside or outside the country in order to certify document content. A professional translation (not done by an official translator) cannot be used for official purposes.

4.

I have a document that has been issued in a foreign country; must it be translated to be valid in Costa Rica?

Yes, it must be officially translated for it to be valid in the country. However, make sure that the document issued by a public authority has been apostilled in the issuing country; otherwise, the document cannot be officially translated.

5.

How do I find out if the country that issued the document to be translated is a member of the Apostille Convention?

Please access the following link for a list of parties to the Apostille Convention and apostille authorities.

6.

If I need to present a document issued in Costa Rica in another country, does it have to be translated and apostilled?

Yes, for the document to be valid in another country, it must be translated by an official translator and then submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to be apostilled.

In Costa Rica, the apostille authority is the Authentication Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, located at Avenida 7-9, Calle 11-13. San José, Costa Rica. Only documents that have been issued in our country and comply with internal requirements can be apostilled. To better understand this process, we invite you to download the most recent apostille guide prepared by the Authentication Office. 

7.

What is an apostille and what is it for?

An apostille is a certification issued by a competent public authority that is attached to a document to certify the authenticity of a signature appearing on the document as well as the capacity in which the person signing the document has acted.

8.

Can an official translator and interpreter provide professional translation and interpreting services?

Of course, we can. Given our expert knowledge and work experience, we translate general (non-official) and specialized texts and documents, and we provide different types of interpretation services to meet your needs.

Get to know our services

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