Company Registration in Costa Rica

If you want to register a business in Costa Rica, you can rely on our local specialists who can offer representation during the process.

Quick Facts
Representation in the relationship with the Trade Register (YES/NO)	Yes, we offer representation for various actions to be performed with the Register.
Main function of the Registrar	Company registration
Business registration steps through the Commercial Register	– reserving the business name, – gathering and filing the incorporation papers, – having the documents verified, – obtaining the Incorporation Certificate
Documents required for registration	– application form, – Articles of Association, – details of the shareholders, – names of the directors, – proof of local address, – share capital deposit proof (where applicable)
Business registration timeframe in Costa Rica	Around 3 weeks
Possibility to verify business name before registration (YES/NO)	Yes
Company due diligence check availability (YES/NO)	Yes, third parties can perform checks on existing companies.
Information about companies available with the Register	– business name and number, – type of company, – legal address
Requirements to file annual financial statements with the Costa Rican Trade Registry (YES/NO)	No, financial statements are not filed with the Register (financial information is reported to the tax administration).
Requirement to update alterations with the Registrar (YES/NO)	Yes, company alterations must be submitted to the Costa Rican Commercial Register.
Updated information to be recorded	– legal address changes, – share capital increases/decreases, – shareholding and management structure modifications
Requirement to register company dissolutions with the Register (YES/NO)	Yes, companies must report to the Register if they are undergoing dissolution.
Other legal entities that must be registered with the Commercial Register	– sole proprietorships, – partnerships, – branch offices, – associations
Other functions of the Trade Registry in Costa Rica	Maintaining shareholder and director records
Supervisory authority	National Registry (Registro Nacional), under the Ministry of Justice and Peace

How do I register a company in Costa Rica in 2026?

Here are these steps:

reserving a trading name, a procedure completed with the Registrar;
preparing a set of documents in accordance with the type of entity you want to establish;
filing the documents in order to be verified and then retrieving the Certificate of Incorporation.

What are the documents to file with the Corporate Register?

Here are the papers you need to prepare based on the business form to create:

for private and public limited liability companies, you need to have Articles of Association drafted;
for partnerships – the partnership deed;
for associations – the establishment charter;
for sole traders, a registration form is provided by the Register.

These must be accompanied by the following:

the personal details of the shareholders/ partners/ founding members in the form of an ID or valid passport and Costa Rican residence permit (if it exists);
proof of having a legal address in Costa Rica;
details of the director in the case of companies;
proof of share capital deposit for companies.

Do all business forms need to be incorporated with the Costa Rican Trade Register?

No, the only exception to this rule is the sole proprietorship, which is required to register for taxation.

Here is also an infographic on the Costa Rican Companies Register:

What are the means to submit documents to the Trade Registry in Costa Rica?

Papers can be filed online or through postal services; however, the first method is simpler, faster, and most convenient for all registrants.

How long does it take for the Register to issue a company’s Certificate of Incorporation in 2026?

The entire procedure from receipt to verification and issuance of the Certificate of Registration can take between 5 and 10 days, depending on the number of submissions.

What are the requirements imposed by the Companies Register for documents issued in other countries?

They must first be translated and then authenticated before submission. The procedures can be completed abroad with a Costa Rican Embassy or while in the country.

What other functions does the Trade Register in Costa Rica have?

Apart from company registration in Costa Rica, the Registrar is also in charge of:

releasing information when searches are completed by third parties;
maintaining records on the shareholders, directors, and other information about all types of entities mentioned above;
issuing certificates and other official documents to companies and governmental agencies which can be used for multiple purposes;
recording any changes that occur in companies, partnerships, and associations.

What searches can I perform with the Companies Register in Costa Rica?

You will find information on:

the owners of a company (only the founders appear in the incorporation deed; current shareholders and beneficial owners reported to the Central Bank's RTBF register are confidential);
information about the directors;
the legal address of a company;
the legal form.

Find below our video on the Registry:

Is the information obtained from the Costa Rican Register free of charge?

Some information is free of charge, such as public records checks. Other information is subject to a fee. Also, the issuance of certain papers is based on a fee.

What are the fees collected by the Costa Rican Companies Register?

Here are some of the fees imposed by the authority for various actions:

the company registration tax is about USD 50;
the stamp fees depend on the capital of the company and range from USD 100 to USD 200.

It is also possible to register a company in Costa Rica remotely?

Yes, if you cannot be present in the country at the time, remote registration is available through representation.

Can you offer representation in the relationship with the Costa Rican Companies Register?

Yes, we can do that based on a power of attorney.

What are the matters in which you can represent me?

Some of our services include:

basic company registration;
beneficial owner registration;
resident agent representation, available if you open a branch;
corporate filings.

If you are interested in company registration in Costa Rica in 2026, please contact us for assistance.