This Consulate is part of the British Embassy in San José, Costa Rica.   The Ambassador who is also the British Consul General and staff are here to look after the interests of British nationals visiting or living within the Consular District, which consists of the whole of Costa Rica.

CONTACT DETAILS

Sheila Pacheco, Vice Consul

The office is at Centro Colón, Piso 11, Paseo Colón, Calles 38 and 40
Apartado 815, San José 1007.
Telephone 2258 2025.  Fax 2233-9938.

It is open to the public on Monday to Friday between 0800 hours and 1300 hours.
Outside normal working hours a Consular Emergency service is in operation, Radio message telephone: 2224 2400, 2225 2500 (Sp) - 2225 4049 (En). The Duty Officer will respond to any calls within one hour.  

REGISTRATION OF RESIDENTS AND VISITORS

The first and most important thing is that the Consulate knows of your presence in Costa Rica. If you are resident here, or are visiting for more than a few days, register with us.   Please keep your registration details up to date, e.g. inform us of any change of address, and let us know if you are leaving the country permanently.
 
If you know other British nationals who are recently arrived or who may not be registered please suggest that they register.

IN THE EVENT OF A LOCAL PROBLEM THE CONSULAR SECTION CAN ASSIST IN THE FOLLOWING:

•         If arrested:      
Visit you in custody as soon as possible after notification of arrest;  provide a list of local lawyers;  give advice on local procedures;  liaise with local authorities to provide doctors if necessary and notify next-of-kin if wished
 
•         In the event of serious illness or accident (when friends/relatives are unavailable):
Contact hospital within 24 hours of notification; ask the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to contact next-of-kin; if the hospital is local, we can visit you within two days
 
•         Death:                                    
 If family or friends are not present ask the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to contact the next-of-kin, and give advice about arrangements for the burial or the repatriation of remains
 
•         Money:                                  
Advise on procedures for transferring money from the UK or elsewhere normally through the main bank offices in San Jose centre.  Contact friends/relatives/banks if other channels are unavailable; transfer money in emergencies
 
•         Repatriation:                          
 Can, (as a last resort after checks in the UK) with relatives and friends whose names must be provided, arrange repatriation at public expense, against an Undertaking to Repay

Services the Consulate is unable to provide:

(a)        money for payment of bills; or
(b)        obtain employment or accommodation for you;
(c)        legal advice, or
(d)        investigate a crime
(e)        assistance if you hold Dual Nationality and you are in the country of your second (i.e. non British) nationality
(f)         free interpretation or translation services

REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE ACT 2000-OVERSEAS ELECTOR

To register as an overseas voter, the individual needs to download the relevant registration form from About my vote or request one from their local authority Electoral Registration Office (ERO) in the UK.  This should be the ERO for the area where the individual was previously registered in the UK (contact details available from About my vote).

The individual needs to sign the declaration on the form, and must also get another British citizen living overseas, but not a close relative, to sign the witness declaration.  Embassy staff often provides this counter-signature.  The completed form then needs to be returned by post or fax to the ERO for the area in the UK where the individual wishes to register (please note that forms should not be returned to the Electoral Commission -the electoral register is maintained locally not centrally). Individuals should be encouraged to register as soon as possible, as elections can be called at any time and at short notice.

Registered overseas voters can then choose to vote in one of three ways: by proxy (someone in the UK voting on their behalf); by post; or in person at their local polling station if they are in the UK on Election Day.  Those wishing to vote by proxy or by post must apply to do so and can get the application forms from About my vote or from the ERO for the area where they are registered in the UK.

The new legislation establishes rolling electoral registers. Since the 16 February 2001 any British Citizen resident overseas can apply for registration as a voter at any time during the year.  

ANY British Citizen providing that the countersigned is satisfied can now sign applications that the applicant is a British Citizen.   If the application is signed by a Consular Official, a fee will be charged.

If you wish to apply for registration as an overseas elector please contact the British Embassy (11th Floor, Centro Colón, San José - Consular Section - from 0800 to 1300 Monday to Friday).