Costa Rica Civil Registration

Costa Rica Wiki Topics
Beginning Research
Guided Research Research Strategies Record Finder Finding Town of Origin Online Learning
Record Types
Church Records Civil Registration Compiled Genealogies Colonial Records Emigration & Immigration Compiled Genealogies	Military Records Notarial Records Online Records Periodicals Religious Records Voter Records
Costa Rica Background
Gazetteers History Jurisdictions Languages Maps	Naming Customs Social Life & Customs Spanish Word List
Local Research Resources
Archives & Libraries Societies Rica FamilySearch Centers

Central America Costa Rica

Introduction

Civil registration of births, marriages, and deaths began in 1888.

Births (nacimientos)

• Costa Rica Civil Registration 1860-1975 (FamilySearch Historical Records)

Marriages (matrimonios, casamientos)

• Costa Rica Marriages 1785-1910 (FamilySearch Historical Records)
• Costa Rica Civil Registration 1860-1975 (FamilySearch Historical Records)

Deaths (defunciones)

• Costa Rica Civil Registration 1860-1975 (FamilySearch Historical Records)
• Costa Rica Deaths 1787-1900 (FamilySearch Historical Records)

Search Strategies

To effectively use civil records, follow these steps:

1. Search for the relative or ancestor you have selected. When you find the person’s birth record, search for the births of his or her brothers and sisters.
2. Search for the marriage of his or her parents. The marriage record will often give you information that leads to the parents’ birth record.
3. Estimate the parents’ age and search for their birth records.
4. Repeat the process for both the father and mother.
5. If earlier generations are not in the record, search neighboring municipios.
6. Search the death records for all family members.
   

Websites

1. Costa Rica Index of Marriages and Deaths from the late 1800s to 1900s. www.tse.go.cr/consulta_persona/menu.htm
   
   

References

In other languages: English | español |