Requirements and documents for a business account in Costa Rica

Snapshot

To open a business account in Costa Rica you need a registered company with a cedula juridica from the National Registry, the articles of incorporation, tax registration with the Ministry of Finance, and identity and proof of address for the shareholders and the legal representative. A sociedad anonima usually also needs a board resolution authorising the account. Foreign documents commonly need legalisation or an apostille and a Spanish translation. The exact list varies by bank, so verify before you apply.

Company documents: Articles of incorporation, cedula juridica, personeria juridica showing legal standing, and tax registration.
People documents: Identity and proof of address for shareholders and the legal representative, and a board resolution for a sociedad anonima.
Foreign owners: Foreign documents usually need legalisation or an apostille and a Spanish translation, sometimes notarised passport copies.
Checks: Anti money laundering and know your customer checks, often with an in person interview for the legal representative.

Fees and features as of 10 September 2025Last reviewed 10 September 2025

General information, not financial, legal, or tax advice. Verify current terms and eligibility with the provider before applying.

A Costa Rican business account is built around the cedula juridica, the corporate identification number issued once the National Registry records the company. As of 10 September 2025 banks usually ask for the articles of incorporation, the cedula juridica, tax registration with the Ministry of Finance, and identity and proof of address for the shareholders and the legal representative. A sociedad anonima normally also needs a board resolution authorising the account. Where owners are abroad, foreign documents commonly need legalisation or an apostille and a Spanish translation. The exact list varies by bank, so confirm the current requirements before you apply.

Company documents

The bank verifies that the company legally exists and who controls it. As of 10 September 2025 that usually means the articles of incorporation, the cedula juridica from the National Registry, a personeria juridica that shows the legal standing and the current legal representative, and tax registration with the Ministry of Finance. Many banks also expect the beneficial owner registry to be in order. A company cannot open an account before it is registered and holds a cedula juridica, so complete incorporation first and confirm the current company document list with the bank.

Documents for the people involved

Banks run know your customer checks on the people behind the company. As of 10 September 2025 you normally provide identity documents and proof of address for the shareholders and the legal representative, and for a sociedad anonima a board of directors resolution authorising the account and naming the authorised signers. Recent checks have asked for notarised and apostilled passport copies for directors and authorised signers in some cases. Confirm the current standard with the bank before you apply.

Extra steps for foreign owners

Where shareholders or directors are abroad, the bank usually needs foreign documents to be legalised or apostilled and translated into Spanish. The legal representative commonly needs to reside in Costa Rica, or the company appoints a resident agent, and an in person interview can apply even to foreign owned companies. As of 10 September 2025 these steps add time, so plan for legalisation and translation and confirm the current position with the bank and a local adviser.

What you usually need to apply

Before you apply for a business account in Costa Rica, prepare these items, as of 10 September 2025. Verify with the provider

Articles of incorporation, the cedula juridica, a personeria juridica and tax registration with the Ministry of Finance.
Identity and proof of address for the shareholders and the legal representative, and a board resolution for a sociedad anonima.
For foreign owners, legalised or apostilled documents with a Spanish translation, and a legal representative who resides in the country or a resident agent.

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Questions about requirements in Costa Rica

What documents do I need to open a business account in Costa Rica?

Banks usually ask for the articles of incorporation, the cedula juridica from the National Registry, tax registration with the Ministry of Finance, identity and proof of address for the shareholders and the legal representative, and for a sociedad anonima a board resolution authorising the account. As of 10 September 2025 the exact list varies by bank, so confirm before you apply. This is general information, not advice.

What is the cedula juridica?

The cedula juridica is the corporate identification number issued once the National Registry records the company. A business account is built around it, so the company must be registered and hold a cedula juridica before a bank can open an account. As of 10 September 2025 confirm the current requirement with the provider.

Do foreign documents need to be legalised for a Costa Rican business account?

Usually yes. Where owners or directors are abroad, foreign documents commonly need legalisation or an apostille and a Spanish translation, and recent checks can ask for notarised and apostilled passport copies for directors and authorised signers. As of 10 September 2025 confirm the current document standard with the bank.

Does a sociedad anonima need a board resolution to open an account?

Yes, banks usually ask a sociedad anonima for a board of directors resolution authorising the opening of the account and naming the authorised signers. As of 10 September 2025 the exact form varies by bank, so confirm before you apply.

Fees, features, and eligibility change and vary by region. This page was last reviewed on 10 September 2025. Confirm current terms with the provider before applying.