Getting Married in Costa Rica: What to Know About Legal vs. Symbolic Weddings
Getting married in Costa Rica is a dream for many couples. Envisioning that first kiss with toes dipped in the sand, the smiles and happy tears shed from those you love most, while monkeys and toucans chatter in the background, and the ease that comes with the pura vida lifestyle makes our country one of the world’s most sought-after destinations for couples dreaming of a wedding that feels immersive, cinematic, and deeply personal.
After working with hundreds of couples who have gotten married in Costa Rica at our villa in Manuel Antonio, we know that one of the top questions that emerges as couples begin to think about a destination wedding abroad is:
Do we want a legal wedding or a symbolic wedding in Costa Rica?
The truth is, there’s no right or wrong answer! All you can do is make the decision based on what is most important to you both as a couple.
Costa Rica recognizes both legal and symbolic weddings, giving couples two valid and widely accepted paths to getting married abroad.
- A legal wedding in Costa Rica is valid internationally once your marriage certificate is translated and apostilled.
- A symbolic wedding in Costa Rica requires no paperwork at all, making it a bit more flexible and stress-free for destination weddings.
Both options are beautiful. Both are widely popular. And both offer their own advantages.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about legal and symbolic weddings in Costa Rica, so you can choose the celebration that feels most like you.
Why choose Costa Rica for your destination wedding?
Choosing where to host your destination wedding is about so much more than finding a beautiful beach—you can do that anywhere. It’s about finding a landscape that elevates your entire wedding experience.
Costa Rica offers something rare in the world of destination weddings: a seamless fusion of adventure, relaxation, natural beauty, warm hospitality (we are the land of pura vida, after all), and elevated service, all within lush locales that feel utterly private and deeply alive.
Here, dramatic terrain becomes the backdrop to the next chapter in your love story, no extra decor or planning required.
Rainforests draped over mountainsides, golden beaches lined with coconut-filled palms, misty mornings that give way to sparkling ocean views. Whether you envision a week filled with adventure or a slow, luxurious retreat with the people you love most, Costa Rica gives you both in equal measure.
For couples who choose a private Costa Rican villa or estate, the experience becomes even more special.
Instead of sharing space with strangers, you’re creating a temporary home for your favorite people. A sanctuary where every meal, every sunrise, every toast unfolds together.
And it turns a destination wedding into a destination experience.
Part of that experience does include deciding whether you make it a legal wedding or a symbolic wedding in Costa Rica.
Each has its appeal, and knowing the difference is key.
After hosting hundreds of weddings (and winning the WeddingWire’s Couples Choice Award 13 years running), both symbolic and legal, our team has years of experience helping couples decide, and we are happy to chat with you to help you decide, too!
Let’s break down your options for getting married in Costa Rica.
What does it mean to have a legal wedding in Costa Rica?
If you want your marriage to be legally binding at the moment you exchange vows overlooking Costa Rica’s Pacific coastline, Costa Rica offers one of the more streamlined processes among destination-wedding locales for a legal wedding. Here’s what you need to know:
What constitutes a legal wedding?
A legal wedding in Costa Rica means you’re signing documents via a licensed attorney or notary who files them with Costa Rica’s Civil Registry. Afterward, you’ll receive a Costa Rica marriage certificate (and possibly an apostille) that’s recognized in your home country.
Note: These are the requirements from the U.S. government for legal international weddings.
What documents and requirements are there for foreign couples getting legally married in Costa Rica?
What you will typically need to get legally married in Costa Rica:
- Be above the age of 18
- Valid passports for each partner (valid for at least six months past your wedding date)
- Certified birth certificates (sometimes apostilled or translated)
- A sworn affidavit of single status (i.e., you’re not currently married)
- Divorce decree(s) or death certificate(s) if previously married
- Two witnesses who are not blood relatives, with passports or valid IDs
What’s the timeline for a legal wedding in Costa Rica?
Once your ceremony concludes, you’ll get a symbolic certificate to hold on to while your attorney submits the paperwork to the Civil Registry of Costa Rica.
It will usually take about 5-8 days for that to be processed before the legal certificate is produced. It will then be translated into English and authenticated with an Apostille (a legal stamp similar to notarization in the U.S.) by the Costa Rican Foreign Affairs Ministry.
Then, you’ll receive the legally recognized Costa Rica marriage certificate several weeks later via mail.
Finally, you will then need to take that certificate to your local town hall to formalize the marriage with your local government.
While it does require some extra steps, none are difficult. So, if a legal ceremony is what you desire, it’s quite simple to achieve in Costa Rica!
Why couples choose legal weddings in Costa Rica:
- Some couples for religious prefer to have one legal ceremony.
- If you want the wedding in Costa Rica to be your legal beginning, one event, one certificate.
- If recognition of the marriage in your home country is a priority, and you want everything done abroad.
- If you envision that your wedding week (in a Costa Rica wedding villa) is the full story — not just the party, but also the legal moment.
Considerations for a legal wedding ceremony in Costa Rica
- More paperwork and logistics than a symbolic ceremony.
- Extra costs: lawyers, document translation, filing, and shipping of the certificate. These fees are typically about $1,000 USD but can vary depending on the situation.
- You must coordinate the timing of flights, documents, the ceremony, and filings.
- Some couples prefer to handle the legal part at home and let the villa celebration be entirely about the experience.
What we always recommend if our couples choose a legal wedding is to work with your selected local Costa Rican wedding planner (we’ll introduce you to the best in the country) closely.
They will connect you with the lawyer and individuals you need to ensure your wedding is entirely legal and recognized in your home country, while also helping you keep track of all the requirements and fees to ensure everything is checked off perfectly, no questions.
What does it mean to have a symbolic wedding in Costa Rica?
A symbolic wedding certificate or ceremony allows you to celebrate in Costa Rica without the legal considerations.
What is a symbolic wedding/certificate?
A symbolic wedding ceremony is non-legally binding.
You can exchange vows in a luxury Costa Rica villa, a beach, or rainforest terrace with a celebrant or friend officiating; you do not submit official documents to the Civil Registry or need a lawyer, judge, or a priest to officiate.
Your legal marriage will likely take place at home before or after your ceremony in Costa Rica, totally dependent on your preferences!
Some of our Villa Punto de Vista couples do simple courthouse weddings or do two weddings: one legal wedding at home for those who may not be able to travel to Costa Rica with them, and one big party with their nearest and dearest at the villa with extra Costa Rican wedding flair.
It’s your choice as a couple how you’d like to celebrate!
Why couples choose symbolic weddings in Costa Rica:
- Ease & creativity. Without legal paperwork, you focus purely on the experience, from the location to the design, guest flow, and symbolic rituals important to you as a couple.
- Flexibility. You might contract a luxury Costa Rica villa for a full week, host your symbolic wedding midweek, and follow with adventure, brunches, spa days, etc.
- Budget control. Since the legal portion is handled at home, you’re not paying the additional fees for lawyers or legal processes in Costa Rica.
- Focus on gathering. The villa rental becomes a hub of guests, experiences, and connection so the wedding day is part of a broader vacation.
Comparison Guide: Legal vs. Symbolic Weddings in Costa Rica
| Feature | Legal Wedding in Costa Rica | Symbolic Wedding in Costa Rica |
| Ceremony | Performed by licensed attorney/notary | Celebrant, friend, or person of your choice |
| Documents Filed | Yes — with Civil Registry | No legal filing in Costa Rica required |
| Certificate | Costa Rica marriage certificate issued | You may receive a symbolic certificate but not legally binding |
| Recognition | Internationally recognized (with proper apostille) | Experience only — legal standing handled elsewhere |
But, regardless of which option you choose, know that you will have the most magnificent wedding like Amy A., who got married at our villa in 2025.
She shared, “Five stars isn’t close to enough for Punto de Vista.
We spent a full year planning our trip to PDV with all our friends and family to get married here, and the trip turned out to be everything we could have ever wanted in a wedding and more. Our wedding and the vacation that followed at PDV were easily the best days of my life so far – it’s been a month since we left and I’m still riding the high.
Besides the incredible property and perfect location, the staff and the service were absolutely spectacular, which I think is the real secret sauce of this place. Even my most well-traveled friends who do everything at full luxury were impressed and said PDV was top-tier. As a stressed out and increasingly brain-dead bride, the staff had my back at every turn and thought of every single detail that I missed and even some things didn’t think I could ask for.
I could mention so many special moments – but one that sticks out was when our wedding party was returning from taking photos at the beach. I was greeted by four staff members who handed me food while they held my wedding dress, hosed the sand off my feet, dried me off, put my shoes back on and cleaned all the debris out of my train in under 2 minutes so I could go back inside for my first dance.
I didn’t ask for this help – they just knew what I would need in that moment and took care of me.
This type of service was constant for all guests through the five days we spend at PDV.
By the time we left, the staff felt like family to us. I heard at least a dozen people say that our wedding was the best they’d ever been to and that they’d come back to PDV for another vacation in the future.”
Here are some photos from weddings at the villa so you can truly visualize your big day in Costa Rica!
How to choose between a legal vs. a symbolic wedding in Costa Rica
When choosing between a legal marriage in Costa Rica or a symbolic one, ask yourselves:
Is it important that our marriage be legally recognized the day we exchange vows?
If you answer yes to this question, you’ll want to go the legal wedding path and include an attorney, civil registry filing, and certificate delivery.
Do we want to handle paperwork at home and treat the Costa Rica villa week as purely a celebration?
If you answer yes to the latter question, a symbolic wedding in Costa Rica within a luxury villa may be your ideal Costa Rican wedding scenario!
If you’re still not sure, here are some additional questions to consider:
- Do we want the additional legal fees in Costa Rica?
- Do we want a friend or family member to marry us or a priest, lawyer, or judge?
- Which option helps us feel most connected to the meaning of the day?
- Do we have religious traditions that require a specific legal or ceremonial structure?
- Are there family members who cannot travel and may want to witness the legal ceremony at home?
- Does coordinating a legal wedding add stress we don’t want to deal with?
- Do we have enough time before the wedding to gather and submit all legal paperwork?
Getting Married in Costa Rica FAQs
Can foreigners legally get married in Costa Rica?
Yes. Costa Rica fully recognizes legal marriages for foreigners, including U.S., Canadian, and European citizens.
All you need is a licensed Costa Rican attorney or notary to officiate and file your documents with the Civil Registry. Once your official Costa Rica marriage certificate is apostilled, it’s recognized internationally.
How long does it take to receive the legal Costa Rica marriage certificate?
After your legal ceremony, your attorney submits all documents to the Civil Registry. The processing typically takes 5–8 business days, after which the official certificate is produced, translated into English, and apostilled.
Most couples receive their final, internationally recognized certificate within 4–8 weeks by mail.
How much does it cost to get legally married in Costa Rica?
Legal weddings usually require a budget of $700–$1,200 USD, which covers the attorney, document preparation, translations, apostille, notarization, and mailing the final certificate.
Costs vary depending on your planner and specific document needs.
What documents do we need to get married legally in Costa Rica?
You will need:
- Valid passports (must be valid for 6+ months)
- Birth certificates (some may require apostille)
- Single-status affidavits
- Divorce or death certificates (if applicable)
- Two non-family witnesses with valid ID
- Confirmation you are both over age 18
Your planner and attorney will guide you through each requirement so nothing is overlooked.
Do we need to speak Spanish to get legally married in Costa Rica?
No. Your attorney will provide English versions of the legal wording and ensure you understand every document you sign. The ceremony can take place in English, Spanish, or both — completely your choice.
Is a symbolic wedding easier than a legal wedding in Costa Rica?
Yes — a symbolic wedding is significantly easier because it requires no legal documents, no attorney, and no civil registry filings.
Many couples complete the legal marriage at home (before or after Costa Rica) and enjoy a fully personalized, stress-free symbolic ceremony during their villa stay.
Can we legally marry on the beach in Costa Rica?
Yes — but beach weddings must align with tide charts, public-access laws, and officiant availability. Nothing that can’t be handled by your planner and our villa team!
Do we need witnesses for a legal wedding in Costa Rica?
Yes. You need two witnesses who are not related to either partner. If you’re eloping, your planner or villa staff can serve as witnesses.
If we choose a symbolic wedding, will we still get a certificate?
You can — but it will be a symbolic certificate commemorating the moment, not a legal marriage certificate. Many couples find the symbolic certificate just as meaningful for ceremonial keepsakes.
Do symbolic weddings feel “less official”?
Not at all. Symbolic weddings are always romantic, personal, and emotional. You can write your own vows, incorporate unique rituals, and design a ceremony that’s deeply aligned with your values. There’s nothing more official than your true values as a couple!
A Wedding That Feels Like You
Regardless of what type of wedding you choose for your destination wedding in Costa Rica, remember this:
The most important detail isn’t the signature or document, it’s the feeling.
A wedding at a luxury Costa Rica private villa is a decision to craft the entire week, to let guests arrive and stay, to exchange vows in a place that reflects your love, and to mark the moment not just with a ceremony, but with a memory that lingers.
At Villa Punto de Vista, we don’t simply host weddings — we curate a continuum of experience: welcome cocktails, adventure days, celebration dinners, poolside recovery (or pool parties), farewell brunch. Whether you choose a symbolic wedding certificate or a full Costa Rica marriage certificate, your week unfolds with purpose, presence, and joy.
Let us welcome your friends and family into our little slice of paradise. And let us create a wedding in Costa Rica that isn’t just “the day we got married” — it’s the week you remember forever.
Speak with our concierge team today, reserve your date, choose your vision, and begin your journey of getting married in Costa Rica the way you’ve always dreamed.
Christien Johnson is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Villa Punto de Vista Estate, an award-winning private resort in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. With nearly 20 years in luxury hospitality, he has helped make the estate a benchmark for private villa experiences, earning 700+ five-star reviews, 13 consecutive WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards (an achievement only secured by the top 3% of venues worldwide) and a vote as the #1 wedding venue in Costa Rica, as well as recognition from Architectural Digest, Condé Nast Johansens, and the Global Choice Awards as the Best Villa in Central America.
Christien also founded and manages Vista Destinations Luxury Travel Agency, Costa Rica Weddings, and Costa Rica Chefs, and advises brands worldwide on automation and AI in luxury hospitality, shaping the next era of high-touch, personalized travel as a trusted voice in private-estate and transformational travel.
