Codigo Civil - general legal framework (Ley N.º 63)

The Codigo Civil of Costa Rica (Ley N.º 63, in force since 1888 with multiple subsequent reforms, including the reform known as Ley N.º 30) is the central norm of civil law: it governs persons, property, obligations and contracts between private parties. This fact sheet covers the general framework — not an article‑by‑article summary.

General structure (4 main books):

• Personas: existence and legal capacity of persons. Adults are those who have reached 18 years; minors are those who have not yet reached that age.
• Bienes: regulates ownership. Real estate located in Costa Rica is governed by Costa Rican law, even if it belongs to foreign persons (foreigners).
• Obligaciones: regulates the duties that one person acquires toward another (by law or by agreement).
• Contratos: regulates agreements of will between parties — requirements for a contract to be valid, causes of nullity, what happens if one party does not comply, and the remedies available to the other party.

Relationship with other fact sheets in this database: for the transfer of real estate in the Registro Nacional, see that separate sheet. For rentals (housing leases), see the sheet on the Ley General de Arrendamientos Urbanos y Suburbanos, which is a special law that develops that type of specific contract in more detail.

Note: the Codigo Civil is the general foundation of contract and obligation law in Costa Rica, but for a specific case (a particular contract, an inheritance, a property dispute) the exact application depends on the particular facts — this does not replace the advice of a legal professional for a real case.