Transfer of Vehicles (Registro de Bienes Muebles)

Buying or selling a used vehicle (car, motorcycle) in Costa Rica requires registering the transfer in the Registro de Bienes Muebles, within the Registro Nacional.

Seller's requirements:

• Marchamo up to date (see Marchamo sheet and vehicle technical inspection).
• Current vehicle technical inspection.
• Verify that the vehicle has no liens or encumbrances that limit its free disposition (check the Registro de Bienes Muebles before selling).

Buyer's requirements:

• Valid and current identification document (cedula de identidad, DIMEX for resident foreigners, or passport).

Process: 1. Formalize the transfer with a public deed before a notary, detailing the terms of the sale and the parties involved. 2. Pay the transfer tax and the Registro Nacional stamps, calculated on the vehicle's value, at the Banco de Costa Rica. 3. The notary records the transfer in the Registro de Bienes Muebles.

Recent change: just like with properties (see property transfer sheet), the TRIBU-CR system has become a mandatory preliminary step before formalizing the registration of the transfer with the Registro Nacional — this does not eliminate the traditional requirements, it adds to them.

Note: this procedure requires a notary public obligingly. To confirm the exact amount of the transfer tax based on the vehicle's value, check with the notary or at rnpdigital.com.