Minors, whether of Costa Rican nationality or residents, can leave the country without their parents or legal representatives, as long as they have a permit to leave the country for minors. This procedure must be managed only in the General Directorate of Migration and Foreigners, either in central offices, or in the regional offices of said Directorate.

Those who must request this permission are both parents, or whoever acts as the legal representative of the minor. As indicated by the regulations, there are the following exceptions:

• When one of the parents has died: In this case, the father or mother may request permission individually, as long as they present the death certificate issued by the Civil Registry or the country where the death occurred, duly apostilled, or legalized and translated, if not in Spanish.
• When one of the parents has suspended parental authority: In this case, the father or mother who holds parental authority individually may manage the permit to leave the country for the minor, but must present, at the time of making the request, a copy of the final judicial resolution that decreed the suspension or loss of parental authority.

In the event that any of the parents or the legal representative of the minor cannot come to make the request for any reason, it may be requested through a special power of attorney, duly protocolized; however, when it is done through a proxy, the permit may only be granted temporarily.

In order to apply for a permit to leave the country for minors, it is necessary to present the following requirements:

• Valid passport of the minor (original and copy).
• Two passport size photographs (in color).
• Current personal information form issued by the General Directorate of Migration and Immigration.
• Original and copy of the identifications of the parents, legal representatives, or proxies.
• Costa Ricans under 12: Birth certificate issued by the current Civil Registry.
• Costa Ricans over 12: They must present the Minors Identification Card (TIM).
• Resident foreigners: They must present the Foreigners Identification Document (DIMEX) and a copy of the birth certificate of the country of origin, apostilled, legalized and translated, if not in Spanish.

It is important to remember that for a minor to leave the country without his/her parents, it is mandatory to grant this permission, which must expressly indicate who is authorized to travel with the minor.

If you require advice in the processing of an exit permit for minors, ERP Lawyers puts at your disposal a team specialized in this matter. Do not hesitate to contact us!