To opt for naturalization by residence, the applicant must have formally resided in Costa Rica for five years, in the case of Latin Americans and Spaniards by birth, or seven years, for those of other nationalities. Formally means the Residence was approved by Immigration.

It is important to note that applicants who request to be naturalized under this law are required to take a Spanish and history test. However, adults over the age of 65 are exempt from taking this test.

To be naturalized under this law, a person must have lived in Costa Rica for 20 years or more.

To be naturalized in this manner, it is necessary to present extensive proof of having lived in the country during said time frame. School records, medical records and all other types of documents may be presented for this purpose.

To opt for naturalization by marriage, the applicant must have been married to a Costa Rican for two years and have physically resided in the country for the same amount of time. This type of naturalization does not require a Spanish test.

The applicant must be a minor, whose mother or father is in the process of being naturalized a citizen, or who has already obtained citizenship. The child must be living in Costa Rica when the parent becomes a Costa Rican citizen.

To be naturalized under this law, the applicant must be over the age of 25, have been born in Costa Rica to foreign parents, have not opted for Costa Rican nationality before and have lived in the country for 5 (five) years, if the parents are Latin American or Spaniards by birth, or 7 (seven) years, if the parents are of any other nationality.

The person must have been born abroad, be the child of a Costa Rican father or mother by birth, over the age of 25 and not have opted for Costa Rican nationality before.

If born in a Latin American country, the applicant must physically reside in Costa Rica for 5 (five) years. When the country of birth is of any other nationality, the applicant must physically reside in Costa Rica for 7 (seven) years.