Legal Support for Your Costa Rica Property Transaction
In Costa Rica, all real estate transactions must be executed by a licensed notario público (a special type of attorney with notary powers). SIXPERCENT coordinates with vetted legal professionals to ensure your transaction is smooth and secure.
What Our Legal Coordination Includes
- ✅ Connecting you with vetted Costa Rican attorneys experienced in foreign buyer transactions
- ✅ Title search at the Registro Nacional (National Registry)
- ✅ Verification of property boundaries (plano catastrado)
- ✅ Lien and encumbrance check
- ✅ Corporation (S.A.) setup if desired for property holding
- ✅ Escrow coordination for secure fund transfer
- ✅ Closing document preparation and execution
Key Legal Facts
Closing costs typically run 4–5.5% of the property value, including:
- Transfer tax: 1.5%
- Notary fees: 1–1.5%
- Registration stamps and fees: ~0.5%
- Legal fees: 1–1.5%
The Notario's Role
Unlike in the US, a Costa Rican notario is a licensed attorney with the power to authenticate and register legal documents. They prepare the transfer deed (escritura), verify identities, and register the transfer with the Registro Nacional. Both buyer and seller can use the same notario, though buyers often prefer their own independent attorney.