If you are in Costa Rica, you should know by now that you can ask for the help of the Philippine Consulate located in San Jose City. Filipinos abroad usually seek assistance from the embassy or consulate whenever they need them. The Philippine consulate offers different services. When you go to the office in Costa Rica, you can get passport services, visa services, application for birth certificates, application for death certificates, and other similar services. If you need things like those, you need to go to the consulate and talk to the personnel. Whenever you need the help of the Philippine government, just go to the embassy or consulate in the country where you are in.
Also Read: What Are the Visa-Free Countries Filipinos Can Visit?
The Philippine consulate also works with different agencies or departments of the government like OWWA and POLO. POLO is Philippine Overseas Labor Offices. This has more than 30 branches around the world. The main function of this agency is to help Filipinos who are abroad. So, if you need legal assistance or help to deal with your employment issues, you can contact POLO and ask for help if you are near its office in the country where you are in. However, not all countries have a POLO office. You should look for an available government office.
If you work abroad, you need to be careful and exercise extra precautions. You must keep the details of the Philippine government so you can contact them at any time. It’s essential that you have the contact of the consulate in Costa Rica so that by the time you need help and you don’t have someone to call, you can rely on the consulate. Another thing you have to think about is whether you are living in Costa Rica alone or not. If yes, the more you need the details of the consulate.
In this article, we are going to share with you the details of the Philippine consulate in Costa Rica. You may use this as a guide when you are in the country already.
History – Philippine Consulate in Costa Rica
The Philippine consulate in Costa Rica was established to help more Filipinos who are in the country. Before the establishment of this consulate, Filipinos in this country were going to the embassy in Mexico to ask the help of the Philippine government. But now that there is already an office in the country, you don’t have to go to Mexico now.
Services Offered
Here’s the list of services offered by the Philippine Consulate in Costa Rica.
- Issuance of Passport
- Travel Document
- Issuance of Visa
- Requirements for the Retention and Re-Acquisition of Philippine Citizenship
- Notarial and other Legal Services
- Registration of Nationals
- Report of Marriage, Birth and Death
- Collection of Income Tax
- Balikbayan Stamp
- Philippine Embassy and Consulates General in Costa Rica
- Philippine Honorary Consuls General and Consul in Costa Rica
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Services
What are the documents I should bring during my passport renewal?
If you are planning to get passport renewal services in the Philippine Consulate in Costa Rica, here are the following documents that you should bring:
- Original old or expired passport.
- Complete passport application form.
- Photocopy of your passport’s data page
- Photocopy of your permanent resident card, record of landing, and work permit.
- Passport processing fee
What happens if I lost my Philippine passport?
If you lose your passport, you can apply for a new one. But first, make sure to report all the incident to the police so you can get a case certificate which you will need to submit to the authorities upon applying for a passport.
- Police report or case certificate
- Affidavit of Loss of Passport (this can be completed in the Philippine embassy but with a separate processing fee).
- Birth Certificate
- Marriage Certificate if applicable
- A legal document showing your name, date of birth, and place of birth.
- Photocopy of your lost or destroyed passport, if applicable.
- Death certificate of spouse, if applicable.
- Annulment/divorce, if applicable.
What are the documents needed when a minor wants to obtain a passport?
When minors apply for their passport, they need to be with their parents when they go to the embassy. Also, the following requirements are needed:
- Birth certificate
- Report of birth form
- Letter from the doctor who delivered the child attesting to the birth.
- Medical record of the child from the hospital where the child was delivered, in case the doctor can’t be located anymore.
- Original and photocopies of the passports of the parents.
- Letter of consent with the signature of both parents
Tips when going to the consulate
When you go to the consulate, there are a couple of things that you should remember. Here are they.
- Always wear decent clothing when you are going to the consulate. This is basic etiquette whenever you are in the government’s office. You actually don’t have to wear formal clothing but you need to at least wear the decent clothes you have at home as respect to the government. Avoid wearing sando and short when going to the consulate.
- If you are going to the consulate with your car, make sure to park on the correct parking area. Don’t park in front of the Philippine consulate especially when it blocks the entrance. Always follow the basic guidelines when you are going to the embassy.
- Make sure you have all the requirements with you. To avoid any inconvenience, you need to ensure that you have every document you need for the service you want. For example, if you are applying for a passport, you have to bring everything what’s on the list above.
- Show respect to the government employees at all times. If there’s anything you can do when you are in the consulate, that is to respect the government employees. Don’t do anything rude when you are in the consulate. If you can greet the employees, greet them. Fall in line if necessary.
Opening Hours
8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Contact Information
Consulate General of the Philippines in Costa Rica
Contact Person: Consul General Pablo Enrique Guier Acosta
Address: 8th Avenue, 37th Street, Montes de Oca, Sta. Jose, Costa Rica
Tel. Nos.: (506) 2280-0303
Fax No.: (506) 2280-0021
Cel No. (506) 8841-5203
Email: guier@pilipinas.co.cr
Website: https://dfa.gov.ph/index.php/articles/2013-03-22-05-09-29/dfa-release/96-phl-consulates-w-honorary-officials/196-philippine-consular-offices
Facebook: NA
Google Map Location
In case you are wondering where the Philippine Consulate in Costa Rica is located, below is a map guide for you: