Location: Costa Rica — Level 4: Do Not Travel
Travel Alert: U.S. Embassy San Jose (1 October 2020)
Event: Effective October 1, the American Citizen Services division of the U.S. Embassy in San Jose, Costa Rica will open a LIMITED NUMBER of appointments for routine services to include accepting applications and renewals for full validity U.S. passports, Consular Reports of Birth Abroad, notary services, and applications for social security numbers. Please visit the U.S. Embassy website at https://cr.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/ to see the next available appointments for passports, CRBA, and notary services. Please email the Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) at FBU.CostaRica@ssa.gov to schedule an appointment to apply for a social security number. Due to continuing public health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, American Citizen Services has limited staffing and is not able to resume full services at this time. American Citizen Services is also still unable to conduct face to face interactions, including welfare and whereabouts visits, prison visits, and outreach events for U.S. citizen communities across Costa Rica. American Citizen Services will continue to use and explore virtual options to provide these services to U.S. citizens in Costa Rica. We appreciate your understanding that protecting the health and safety of our staff and U.S. citizen customers is our number one priority.
The Embassy will continue to accommodate emergency passport appointments for persons with confirmed travel on a pre-approval basis. The Embassy also continues to offer emergency services for U.S. citizens in emergency situations, including victims of crime or those facing destitution. Please contact ACSSANJOSE@state.gov if you have additional questions or need an emergency appointment.
The U.S. Embassy in San Jose requires all visitors to the Embassy to bring and wear face coverings, this includes visa applicants and U.S. citizens. Visitors must maintain coverings over their mouth and nose during their visits (please note that for security and identification purposes the Embassy staff may request visitors to momentarily remove face coverings.) This guidance includes all visitors over two years of age. Visitors are also requested to follow instructions for distancing and other health measures during their visit. Visitors that arrive without face coverings or who do not follow health protocols may be asked to reschedule their appointments.
Whether you are residing in Costa Rica or are here for vacation, please enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive the latest updates, as well as the days and hours of American Citizen Services and possible evacuation plans.
Assistance:
U.S. Embassy San Jose
+506-2519-2000
ACSSANJOSE@state.gov
https://cr.usembassy.gov/
State Department – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
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