Other services

 

The Costa Rican Consulate offers other services to nationals and foreigners. Some of the main ones include:

Registration in citizens record

Within the first month of arrival to the People's Republic of China, Costa Rican nations at no cost may choose to register before the Costa Rican Consulate in Beijing.

Registering allows the Consulate to have a complete list of all national expatriates in China, which allowsto assist with certain services such as the localization of persons and giving emergency assistance.

Due to this reason it is highly advisable to register at the Consulate and inform of any changes regarding place of residence, telephones or other contact information.

 

The requirements are:

  • Provide general contact information (phone numbers, e-mail, fax, exact address, amongst others);
  • File a copy of the national identity card, passport or both; and
  • Indicate the approximate length of stay.

After the first month has expired, registration is no longer free. The person must pay a one-time fee of US$30.00.

 

Certifications and other notarial acts

In exceptional and duly qualified cases, Costa Rican consuls in Beijing may act as notaries for the purpose of executing powers of attorney, certification of documents or other such notarial acts that will have effects in Costa Rica.

For more information it is advisable to directly contact the Consulate in order to coordinate the corresponding details.

 

Emergency services for Costa Ricans

The Costa Rican Consulate offers some sort of emergency assistance for nationals in the People's Republic of China, in duly qualified case.

It is advisable to contact the Consulate in cases such as:

  • Robbery or theft of passport
  • Death of a Costa Rican
  • Arrest or detention of a Costa Rican on behalf of the Chinese public security authorities

 

Issuance of certificate of criminal record


The procedure to request a certificate of criminal record is carried out before the Judicial Archives and Records Office (“Oficina de Archivo y Registro Judicial”) in Costa Rica, with the previous assistance of the Costa Rican Consulate.

Take note of the steps to be taken as follows:

File a request letter before the Costa Rican Consulate in Beijing:

Draft and file a formal letter requesting the assistance of the Consulate to obtain a certificate of criminal record. The letter must include the full name of the applicant, identity card number (“cédula de identidad”) or passport number, date of birth and full name of both parents.  It must also include the name and identification number (“cédula de identidad,” passport, or otherwise) of a person authorized in Costa Rica to pick up the certificate at the Judicial Archives and Records Office.

The applicant’s signature must be identical to the one appearing in the “cédula de identidad”  or passport and needs to be authenticated by the relevant authority. Furthermore, a photocopy of the applicant’s “cédula de identidad” or passport must be annexed to the letter.

Sending the letter to the Consulate:

The request letter and any annexed documents must be sent to the following address:

Costa Rican Consulate
Jianguomenwai Waijiaogongyu 1-5-42
Beijing 100600
People’s Republic of China


Picking up the document in Costa Rica:

The person authorized to pick up the document, within a reasonable timeframe after the letter has been reviewed by the Consulate, must get in contact with the Judicial Archives and Records Office to coordinate issuance of the document.

Call the following phone numbers for assistance in this regard: (506) 2295-3649, 2295-3648 or 2295-3682.

Also, please review the Archives and Records Office’s website for further information: