TSE and Civil Registry – Electoral and Civil Identity Authority

The Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) is Costa Rica’s constitutional authority on electoral matters, with a status equivalent to a branch of the Republic (hence the reference to a “fourth power,” alongside the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches). Its main role is to organize, direct, and oversee the country’s electoral processes—presidential, legislative, and municipal elections—while also resolving disputes involving political parties.

The Civil Registry is a department of the TSE, distinct from its electoral function, responsible for civil identity: it records births, marriages, deaths, and naturalizations, and is the entity that issues the Costa Rican national ID card (see ID card records, Civil Registry certifications, and civil marriage details for each procedure).

Why are they under the same institution? In Costa Rica, the electoral roll is built from the civil identity registry—only those with a valid ID card and correctly registered may vote—so the electoral and civil identity functions depend on the same authority.

Main services of the Civil Registry (each with its own detailed page):

• National ID card: issuance, renewal, and replacement.
• Birth, marriage, death, and civil status certificates.
• Civil marriage.
• Online civil inquiries (verify basic personal data by ID number or name).

Contact: central offices on the west side of Parque Nacional, San José, open Monday‑Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Free line 800‑800‑2000 for questions about Civil Registry procedures. For digital service inquiries: consultacivil@tse.go.cr. The TSE also has regional offices throughout the country—the full directory is on tse.go.cr/contactenos.html.

Note: this sheet provides a general profile of the institution. For step‑by‑step instructions on a specific procedure, see the corresponding page (national ID card, Civil Registry certifications, civil marriage).