Costa Rica: representation, full register certificates and document copies

Entry: Sign-in required [3] [4]

Search and document delivery at a glance

Search online: Yes: an account provides register queries and certificates. The guide uses company name or Cédula jurídica, and volume/entry for document images. [1] [4]
Search language: The login and official service guide are in Spanish. [3] [1]
Digital documents: Certificates are available to download. Digitally signed archive reports are available through the email request described in this guide. [1]
Document language: Not specified
Paper and collection: Available at central and regional offices. For a required apostille, first have the digital printout signed there by a registry certifying officer. [1] [3]
International delivery: Not specified

Fees at a glance: Literal/index certificate CRC 2,930; archive study CRC 8,500
Access: Email/password account; certificates online or at registry offices

Choose the right register

The Registro de Personas Jurídicas is the legal-person registry. Its official service guide distinguishes representation certificates, fuller company certificates and copies of deposited instruments. Product choice determines the content, charge and processing time. [1]

Names and abbreviations explained

Cédula jurídicaLegal entity identification number: Identifies the company. Do not confuse it with an individual’s identity document number. [1]
Personería JurídicaLegal representation certificate: Shows authorised representatives and representation rules. The guide excludes capital and granted powers of attorney. [1]
Literal RápidaFuller register certificate: Includes governing officers, representation, office, capital and granted powers of attorney. Some cases are excepted. [1]

Search step by step

Obtain the appropriate certificate

Identify the company and product
Prepare the full company name and Cédula jurídica. Choose Personería Jurídica for representation or Literal Rápida for broader register content. Document images require Tomo and Asiento, the volume and entry references. [1]
Prepare account and payment
The current login uses email and password. Registration asks for name, two surnames, mobile telephone and email. The terms require a personal email address, electronic payment method and acceptance of the conditions, among other requirements. For payment, the Registry accepts Visa and Mastercard cards from any issuing bank. [4] [3] [6]
Purchase and issue the certificate
The guide routes you through Trámites y Servicios, Certificaciones y otros and Registro de Personas Jurídicas to the product. After purchase use Mis compras, Mi Inventario, the available product and Emitir. Enter and check the relevant registry data before issue. [1]
Download and check the result
Choose Descargar Certificación. Previous uses are under Mis compras and Historial de usos. For document images, the system displays page count and price before purchase; online delivery can take up to 24 hours. [1]

Documents and fees

Document / information	Contents and purpose	Fee	How to get it
Literal Rápida de Personas Jurídicas [1] [2] [5]	Broader company certificate with governing officers, representation, office, capital and granted powers of attorney.	Literal tariff: CRC 2,930 including Archives stamp; other applicable duties extra.	Purchase online, enter registry details under Emitir and download. Generally immediate, with exceptions. Format / delivery Digital download. Also available at registry offices. [1] [2] [5] International delivery Online route provided. [1] [2] [5]
Personería Jurídica [1] [2] [5]	Legal representation and other basic details, excluding capital and granted powers of attorney.	The current tariff does not separately name Personería. Check the selected product’s price before purchase.	Choose the named product, use an account, purchase and issue using the company details. Format / delivery Download in the guide; in-person issue also available. Generally immediate, with exceptions. [1] [2] [5] Document language Spanish guidance; confirm actual certificate language and any translation required. [1] [2] [5] International delivery An apostille may require a printout and signature at a registry office. [1] [2] [5] [3]
Certificación de Imágenes [1] [2] [5]	Certified image copy of a deposited public instrument.	CRC 2,930 for the first ten pages; additional certificate pages CRC 500 each under the table.	Supply volume and entry; check the displayed page count and price before buying. Up to 24 hours online. Format / delivery Electronic online issue; immediate counter service under the guide. [1] [2] [5] Document language Language of the deposited instrument; no promised official translation. [1] [2] [5]
Estudio Registral de Personas Jurídicas [1] [2] [5]	Detailed examination of older entries held in volumes or files outside the automated system.	CRC 8,500 in the current schedule; other applicable duties extra.	Provide company name, Cédula jurídica, specific request and payment evidence to estudiosregistrales@rnp.go.cr or the registry office. Format / delivery Digitally signed result through the described email route; collection for in-person requests. [1] [2] [5] Document language Confirm language and file format with the office before ordering. [1] [2] [5] International delivery Email request route exists. [1] [2] [5]

Current fees instead of old flat prices

The schedule effective 1 January 2026 lists a final price of CRC 2,930 (Costa Rican colones) for literal and index certificates and certified digitised document copies of up to ten pages. This includes a CRC 5 National Archives stamp. Additional certificate pages are listed at CRC 500. The footnote requires other applicable stamp duties to be added. [2] [5]

Representation and full certificates differ

Personería Jurídica identifies legal representatives, representation rules and other basic details. It expressly excludes capital and granted powers of attorney. Literal Rápida includes those details. The guide describes both as generally immediate services with no mandatory professional intermediary, subject to exceptions. [1]

An image copy of the deposited instrument

Certificación de Imágenes covers the copy of a public instrument submitted or registered with the legal-person registry. The guide identifies records starting at volume 280, entry 11, dated 22 July 1968. If an expected instrument does not appear online, contact rnpdigital@rnp.go.cr with its volume and entry reference. [1]

Request older non-automated records

An Estudio Registral examines entries in older volumes or files outside the automated system. The guide provides an email route through estudiosregistrales@rnp.go.cr with a precise request and proof of payment, describing a digitally signed result. It gives five working days from the following day for the ordinary in-person procedure; regional offices and complex cases can take longer. [1]

Foreign use and apostille are different questions

The terms allow access from abroad and do not impose a general citizenship requirement. The registration form does not ask for a local identity document. For an apostille or authentication, first print the digital certificate and have it signed by a certifying officer at a registry office. Then present it to the foreign ministry. [4] [3]

Paying for documents by card

Pay for RNPDigital certifications with a Visa or Mastercard debit or credit card. The National Registry expressly accepts cards from any issuing bank. Its official FAQ excludes American Express. Statutory stamp charges are calculated automatically during payment. [6]

Avoid common mistakes

The RNPDIGITAL-number check on the login page validates an existing certificate. That number is not a company’s Cédula jurídica or a substitute for a company search. [3]
Digital certificates may need additional steps for a specific foreign use. The portal requires a certifying officer’s signature on the printout first where an apostille is required. [3]

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a lawyer to order these records?

The guide expressly lists no mandatory professional for Literal Rápida, Personería, document images or archive studies. Account access, payment and any apostille steps remain separate requirements. [1] [4] [3]

Original sources

Sources reviewed: 15 September 2026. The guidance is based on the linked information published by registers and public authorities.

Official corporate-register service guide 2025 Registro Nacional de Costa Rica
Official tariff effective 1 January 2026 Registro Nacional de Costa Rica
RNPDigital login and foreign-use notice Registro Nacional de Costa Rica
RNPDigital registration and service terms Registro Nacional de Costa Rica
Official 2026 tariff: original table cells Registro Nacional de Costa Rica
RNPDigital FAQ: payment for digital certifications Registro Nacional de Costa Rica

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