Foreigners Take Citizenship Test
The García Flamenco school in San José yesterday was the centre for foreigners taking their required exam to obtain citizenship. The exam tests knowledge on Costa Rican idiosyncracies and language.

The majority of those taking the exam were Colombian and Nicaraguan nationals, and also included nationals from Cuba, El Salvador, Panama and the United States.

The passing grade is 70% and test results will be available on July 2nd and 3rd. Those passing the exam will then be able to register their certificate with the Registro Civil in the process of obtaining their naturalization.

Foreigners wishing to obtain Costa Rican citizenship are required to pass the exam, with the exception of individuals who are married to Costa Rican citizens, who are exempt from the taking the exam, and produce documents that include a police record of their former country of residence, a birth certificate and civil status.

The process of naturalization can take anywhere from six months to two years and contrary to popular belief, the process does not require an individual to be a resident of Costa Rica to obtain citizenship, as in the case of marriage to a Costa Rican where an individual is only required to have been in the country for at least two years while married.