If you want to go see the Panama Canal or take a weekend trip to Nicaragua, then your car, truck, SUV or motorcycle with Costa Rican plates, must get a permit to leave the country. This is something you can do yourself, although someone else can do it for you with a notarized letter. The cost of the permit is about $11, and it is good for 180 days, so you have to get a new permit after that.
Here is the low down on the basic procedure, for individual owners (see accordion for special cases).
Crossing the Border
Check online sources for the most recent information about crossing the border, since this can change at any moment. But here are some things to watch out for.
Vehicle Title
Quite often the new property title is never recieved when there is a transfer of ownership, check to make sure you have the one with your name on it!
Digital Property Titles
Some people have trouble at the Nicaraguan border, the National Registry Directory issued a memo in 2023. If the vehicle has a digital title, no paper copy is necessary. Here is a copy of that memo – Decreto a Nicaragua
Here in Costa Rica they will look up the plate number themselves, but you can print out or keep the PDF on your phone. The QR code contains the information of the title, and there is a verification number that can be looked up on the National Registry web site (www.rnpdigital.com)
Special Cases
Vehicles Named in Court Documents or Traffic Violations
In accordance with Article 95 Paragraph d) of the National Property Registry Regulations, exit permits will not be granted for vehicles that are subject to judicial annotations (embargos, collisions, traffic violations, etc), the interested party must eliminate the annotation through normal channels or present authorization of the authority which created the annotation.
Pending Changes to Title Info
Blocked Transfers of Ownership Any vehicle that has a defective transfer of ownership status, must supply a certified microfilm or digital copy of the transfer.
Vehicle Characteristics – Exit Permits may be processed even though changes in the characteristics of the vehicle are in process, for example color, motor number, etc. Therefore, copies of these requests are not necessary.
Applications via Power of Attorney
If the application is presented with a limited power of attorney, it must be written into the public registry, either the original or a certified copy may be presented, or a plain photocopy may be presented with the original and certified by the Registry functionary.
Your ID on title doesn’t match actual ID
If the identification number is different from that which appears in the registry, then the applicant must present a notary certification that declares that it is the same person, or a sworn statement indicating to the Registry that indicates the circumstances, as well as freeing the National Registry from any responsibility, this must be notarized. An authenticated copy may be presented, or the original and a copy which the registry worker will authenticate.
Institutional Vehicles
Multiple Permits may be solicited in the name of the same company or institution, only one “personería jurídica” is necessary, but a copy of the identification of the person authorized to apply for the permit is needed.
Government or Public Institution Owned Vehicles with public institution or government plates, must present a letter requesting the permit from the appropriate administrator, on institution stationary and with an official seal.
University & Autonomous Institutions Vehicles with state university or autonomous institution plates, must present a letter requesting the permit from the representative, on institution stationary and with an official seal, plus “certificación de personería jurídica”.
Diplomatic or NGO Vehicles Vehicles with embassy or international organization plates, must present a letter requesting the permit from the representative or ambassador, and a note from the Ministry of Foreign Relations. If the vehicle is in the name of an individual, then only a letter on institution stationary and with an official seal is needed.
Vehicle Held In Company Name
If the vehicle is registered in the name of a corporation, which is registered in the database of the National Registry, then the person applying for the permit does not need to present the “personería jurídica” (articles of incorporation).
However, if the the entity which owns the vehicles is written into the TOMES archives, then there is a 5 work day waiting period due to the registry study that must be performed. This is for companies that were formed prior to the digitalization of the National Registry.
OR the applicant may present the articles of incorporation certifying who holds the power to act in the company’s name, this certificate must be notarized and less than 2 months old and a notarized copy may be presented.
Pensioner Cars
Vehicles with Pensioner plates, must present a letter and a note from ICT certifying that the individual is up-to-date with their obligations.
Getting the Permit
You can go to any National Registry office, or as of June 2024 the Correos de Costa Rica (post office) has an agreement to provide the permit also.
- The application form must be signed by the owner of the vehicle in the presence of the National Registry or Correos personnel. Each applicant must present their identification.
- If the registered owner is unable to present the application, it must be signed by the owner and the signature authenticated by a notary.
- Download the Form You Need(right click recommended)
- Time required: The permit is delivered immediately.
- Fees: In the National Registry, about $18. At the Correos de Costa Rica offices it is about $30.
- Other Documents: You may need a copy of the vehicle title, if you purchased before the digital titles were implemented.