Since I live in Costa Rica full time, I renewed my US passport in Costa Rica when my passport was one year to expire.
This process is very easy as they offer the option to do it by mail, if you fulfill the requirements.
You do NOT need to go to the US embassy in San Jose, unless you are not eligible to renew your passport by mail.
Here is how to renew your US passport in Costa Rica. It took about 6 weeks from when I mailed my passport out to when I picked it up.
This is for renewal only, not for first time application.
How to Renew US Passport By Mail
*Expedited service fee is NOT available when renewing by mail in Costa Rica.*
The US Embassy in Costa Rica website has all the information to renew your US passport in Costa Rica: https://cr.usembassy.gov/adult-passport-renewals
You can renew your US passport by mail if you meet these requirements:
- Your previous U.S. passport book/card is in your possession
- You were at least 16 years old when your most recent U.S. passport book/card was issued.
- Your most recent U.S. passport book/card was issued less than 15 years ago.
- Your previous U.S. passport was issued under your current legal name.
If you do NOT fulfill those requirements, you have to schedule an in-person appointment at the US embassy to renew your passport on this website: https://cr.usembassy.gov/passports/
Step 1: Fill Out the Passport Renewal Form (DS-82)
You need to go to the US Embassy in Costa Rica website to download form DS-82 and fill out electronically.
Download DS-82 here: https://pptform.state.gov/
Once completely filled out, you must print it. Make sure that it’s high quality in color with absolutely no smudges, smears, rips, tears or anything.
Has to be printed on separate pages – no back to back pages.
Sign and date in black ink on Page 1.
I applied for only a passport book with additional pages. I don’t need a passport card.
Step 2. Pay Passport Fee Online
Now you need to pay the $130 USD passport fee on this site: https://www.pay.gov/public/form/start/1156527186/
Once paid, they will send you an email confirmation that you have to print and include in your documents to send to the embassy.
I printed out the entire email I received.
Step 3. Get Passport Photos
You need new passport photos, 2×2 inches in color.
Make sure to follow all requirements for accepted passport photos.
The DS-82 form lists all the requirements for the passport photos.
Where to Print and Take Passport Photos If You’re in the Tamarindo Area
If you do not have a printer and you live in the Tamarindo area, I printed my form and the payment confirmation at the AudioMasters Electronics Store in the AutoMercado plaza.
I paid around $4 USD for printing the form and payment confirmation.
They also take passport photos for you, it cost around $9 USD. They gave me 6 copies, though I only needed two.
Step 4: Mailing Documents via Correos
Now you have your DS-82 form, your payment confirmation and passport photos.
Bring all those including your current passport that is expiring to your closest Correos de Costa Rica.
I went to the one in between Villarreal and Tamarindo. This one is super familiar with passport renewal services and they taped the passport photos, packed and labeled everything for me.
*They will NOT check if your forms are correctly filled out or anything so make sure everything is 100% correct.*
I paid the 8,863.36 CRC fee (~$17 USD) and they gave me a receipt.
Step 5: Picking Up New Passport
Although Correos de Costa Rica told me that they would call me when my passport arrived, they did not.
I received an email from the U.S. Department of State saying my passport would be mailed in 10 business days after it arrived in Costa Rica.
I waited until after 10 business days and picked it up from Correos de Costa Rica, same branch that I mailed it out.
I paid an additional 6500 CRC (~$13 USD) with credit card when I picked it up. They mailed my old and new passport back together.
You can check the status of your passport application on this website: https://passportstatus.state.gov/
Timeline to Renew US Passport in Costa Rica (Total Time About 5-6 Weeks)
June 3: Mailed my passport renewal at Correos de Costa Rica
June 16: Received email from U.S. Department of State saying they have received my application for my passport book and they are reviewing the application and documents. They also gave me an application locator number.
June 18: Received email from U.S. Department of State that they have mailed my passport book to me on June 18, 2025 using prepaid delivery. Said it will arrive in two weeks.
June 24: Received email from the US Embassy in San Jose saying that my new U.S. passport has arrived to Costa Rica and will be delivered to Correos de Costa Rica within 10 business days which was July 9th.
July 16: Picked up my passport from Correos de Costa Rica.
Easy US Passport Renewal in Costa Rica
And that’s it! Super duper easy if you are eligible to renew by mail.
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