Passport Renewal Time - Our Life in Costa Rica

US Embassy San Jose Costa Rica

Time to renew your passport while you are in Costa Rica?

Piece of cake!

Remember you must have SIX months left on your US passport (from your purposed exit date) for entry into Costa Rica so I needed to have my passport renewed. Yesterday we headed to the US Embassy in San Jose. 

I found the renewal process much easier to do here than in the states.

Directions --
Go online US Dept of State Costa Rica - or whatever country you are in
Make an appointment
Complete form and make copy also take photo they request that you do it BEFORE you come for your appt - if you don't you can do it at the US Embassy (I had a copy of the form but got the photo at the Consulate)
show up (do not be late)
Pay $110 CASH renewal fee (i gave them US $ but they would also accept the equivalent in colones)
Talk to agent for processing

That's it! Your passport will be ready for pick up in about 10 bus days

(you will receive an email when it's ready for pick up) Of course you will have to go back and get it) 

The San Jose bus dropping us back in Grecia - home by noon

From Grecia - We took the 8am bus to SJ to the US Embassy (1 hr ride). Got off at Hospital de Mexico. Caught a taxi to the Embassy $3. Was there by 9:30. Checked in. Got in line for photo and then into the area for appointments. The area for US citizens was practically empty although there were LOTS of people in line for various other things. We also got to skip the long line outside Embassy. Sort of VIP treatment.

Once we were in the appt area I told the guy we were early for my 11am appt so he took me right away. I was done by 10:30

I must admit the US is VERY organized!!! I had sort of forgotten about how organized things are back there.