WIPO - PCT Applicant's Guide CR - Costa Rica
Registro de la Propiedad Intelectual (Costa Rica)

    En vigor desde 1 de enero de 2026
    (publicado en 13 de noviembre de 2025)

    Resumen de los últimos cambios en esta versión
    GENERAL INFO: new E-mail
    RO: RO fees
    Consulte la lista completa de cambios

    [MT] Información útil sobre el hotel

    [MT] La Guía del solicitante del PCT se actualiza casi semanalmente con la información recibida por la Oficina Internacional.
    In case of question, please contact the Office or the International Bureau: pct.guide@wipo.int.
    [MT] Lista de abreviaturas utilizadas en el presente documento:
    Office: Registry of Intellectual Property (Costa Rica)
    PL: Law No. 6867 of 25 April 1983, on Patents, Industrial Designs and Utility Models (as amended up to Law No. 8686 of 21 November 2008)
    PR: Executive Decree No. 38308-JP of 12 February 2014, on Amendments to Decree No. 15222-MIEM-J of 12 December 1983, approving Regulation of Law No. 6867 of 25 April 1983, on Patents, Industrial Designs and Utility Models
    [MT] Lista de monedas utilizadas en este documento:
    USD (dólar de los EE.UU.)
    [MT] Países y oficinas de información:
    The list of acronyms used for Offices is no longer shown as it has been integrated in the mouseover functionality for each ST.3 code shown in this document.
    Refer to List of WIPO Standards, Recommendations and Guidelines formerly Annex K, List of country names and two-letter codes. It includes a list of short names and two-letter codes accepted for use in indicating States, other entities and intergovernmental organizations and their Offices in documents relating to international applications under the PCT. The list is as set out in WIPO Standard ST.3.
    Also refer to PCT Contracting States formerly Annex A.
    [MT] Perfil de oficina
    For more technical information about the Office, refer to ePCT Office profile.
    [MT] Reservas, declaraciones, notificaciones e incompatibilidades del PCT
    The Office does not have any reservations, declarations, notifications or incompatibilities.
    Refer to the full list.
    [MT] Fechas cerradas
    The Office is closed weekly on Saturday and Sunday
    Additional closed dates can be consulted on the Office Closed dates page

    [MT] Fase internacional

    [MT] Anexo B - Información sobre los Estados Contratantes o las Organizaciones Intergubernamentales

    [MT] Estado Contratante:
    Costa Rica
    [MT] Código de dos letras:
    CR
    [MT] Nombre de la oficina:
    Registro de la Propiedad Intelectual (Costa Rica)
    [MT] Ubicación:
    Apartado Postal 523-2010 Zapote
    San José
    Costa Rica
    [MT] Dirección postal:
    Same as above
    [MT] Teléfono:
    (506) 22 341 537
    (506) 22 020 885
    [MT] Correo electrónico:
    vcohen@rnp.go.cr
    jlizano@rnp.go.cr
    jorge.moreira@rnp.go.cr
    dmarenco@rnp.go.cr
    [MT] Sitio web:
    [MT] Fax:
    (506) 2234 1537
    [MT] ¿ Acepta la Oficina la presentación de documentos por fax o por medios similares ( Regla 92.4 del PCT )?
    No
    [MT] ¿ Aceptaría la Oficina pruebas de envío de un documento, en caso de pérdida o retraso, cuando se utilice un servicio de entrega distinto de las autoridades postales ( Regla 82.1 del PCT )?
    No
    [MT] ¿ Está la Oficina dispuesta a permitir que los solicitantes pongan sus solicitudes a disposición del Servicio de Acceso Digital de la OMPI para Documentos de Prioridad ( DAS ) ( Regla 17.1 b bis ) del PCT )?
    More information about WIPO DAS is available at: https://www.wipo.int/en/web/das.
    No
    [MT] Oficina (s) receptora (s) competente (s) para las solicitudes internacionales presentadas por nacionales o residentes de este Estado:
    CR,
    IB
    [MT] ¿Restringe la legislación nacional la presentación de solicitudes internacionales en Oficinas extranjeras?
    Refer to the Office
    [MT] Oficina (s) competente (s) designada (s) (o elegida (s)) para este Estado:
    Refer to corresponding National Phase.
    CR
    [MT] Tipos de protección disponibles a través del PCT:
    Patents,
    Utility models
    [MT] Métodos de pago aceptados por la Oficina:
    Refer to the Office
    [MT] Disponibilidad en virtud de la legislación nacional para una búsqueda internacional de tipo (artículo 15 del PCT):
    None
    [MT] Protección provisional después de la publicación internacional:
    After a patent has been granted, the applicant is entitled to damages for the period following the international publication of the international application. For that purpose, and if the international publication has not been effected in Spanish, the applicant must submit to the Office a translation of the international application into Spanish. The provisional protection applies as from the date of publication in Spanish of the international application. Refer to Article 11 of the Law No. 6867 of 13 June 1983 on Patents, Industrial Designs and Utility Models.
    [MT] Información de interés si este Estado Contratante es designado ( o elegido )
    [MT] Fecha en que se deben indicar el nombre y la dirección del inventor:
    Must be in the request. If not already complied with within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1)(a), the Office will invite the applicant to comply with the requirement within a time limit of two months from the date of the invitation.
    [MT] ¿Existen disposiciones especiales relativas al depósito de microorganismos y otros materiales biológicos?
    No

    Annex C - Receiving Office

    [MT] Oficina de recepción competente para los nacionales y residentes de:
    Costa Rica
    [MT] Idioma en que podrán presentarse las solicitudes internacionales:
    Depending on the applicant’s choice of competent International Searching Authority, a translation into a corresponding language (refer Annex D) may have to be furnished by the applicant (PCT Rule 12.3).
    Spanish
    [MT] Idioma aceptado para el texto libre dependiente del idioma en la lista de secuencias:
    Same as above
    Number of copies required by the receiving Office if the international application is filed on paper:
    3
    [MT] ¿Acepta la Oficina receptora la presentación de solicitudes internacionales en forma electrónica?
    Where the international application is filed in electronic form in accordance with and to the extent provided for in Part 7 and Annex F of the Administrative Instructions, the total amount of the international filing fee is reduced (refer to “Fees payable to the RO”).
    Where the international application contains a sequence listing as a separate part of the description, this should be furnished in accordance with Annex C of the Administrative Instructions, that is, in compliance with WIPO Standard ST.26 XML format; no fees are due for sequence listings filed in this format. If the receiving Office does not accept international applications in electronic form in such format, the international application will be transmitted to the International Bureau as receiving Office (PCT Rule 19.4(a)(ii-bis)).
    For the relevant notification by the Office, refer to the Official Notices (PCT Gazette) dated 29 November 2018, pages 347 et seq.
    Yes, the Office accepts electronic filing via ePCT-Filing
    [MT] ¿ Acepta la Oficina receptora la presentación de documentos previos a la conversión y, en caso afirmativo, en qué formato ( artículo 706 de las Instrucciones Administrativas del PCT )?
    Yes, any format
    [MT] ¿ La Oficina receptora acepta la incorporación por remisión ( Regla 20.6 del PCT )?
    Sí
    [MT] ¿Acepta la Oficina receptora la presentación de dibujos en color de manera oficiosa y los transmite a la Oficina Internacional?
    Sí
    [MT] ¿ La Oficina receptora acepta peticiones de restablecimiento del derecho de prioridad ( Regla 26bis.3 del PCT )?
    Yes, the Office applies the “due care” criterion to such requests
    [MT] Autoridad competente encargada de la búsqueda internacional:
    CL,
    EP,
    ES
    [MT] Autoridad competente para el examen preliminar internacional:
    CL
    The Office is competent only if the international search is or has been carried out by that Office.
    EP
    The Office is competent only if the international search is or has been carried out by that Office or by the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office.
    ES
    Fees payable to the RO:
    [MT] Tarifa de transmisión:
    online 237 USD
    on paper 289 USD
    [MT] Tasa de presentación internacional:
    This fee is reduced by 90% if certain conditions apply (refer to Annex C(IB)).
    1,667 USD
    [MT] Tarifa por hoja superior a 30:
    This fee is reduced by 90% if certain conditions apply (refer to Annex C(IB)).
    19 USD
    [MT] Reducciones (en la partida 4 de la Lista de tasas):
    Electronic filing (the request in character coded format):
    251 USD
    Electronic filing (the request, description, claims and abstract in character coded format):
    376 USD
    Search fee:
    Refer to
    Annex D(CL)
    Annex D(EP)
    Annex D (ES)
    Fee for priority document (PCT Rule 17.1(b)):
    32 USD
    Fee for requesting restoration of the right of priority (PCT Rule 26bis.3(d)):
    144 USD
    Is an agent required by the receiving Office?
    No, if the applicant resides in Costa Rica
    Yes, if the applicant is a non-resident
    Who can act as agent?
    Refer to Law No. 6867 on Patents, Industrial Designs and Utility Models, Article 34.
    Any attorney registered in Costa Rica
    Waiver of power of attorney:
    Has the Office waived the requirement that a separate power of attorney be submitted?
    Refer to the Office
    Has the Office waived the requirement that a copy of a general power of attorney be submitted?
    Refer to the Office

    National Phase

    Summary of requirements for entry into the national phase

    Time limits applicable for entry into the national phase:
    Under PCT Article 22(3): 31 months from the priority date
    Under PCT Article 39(1)(b): 31 months from the priority date
    Does the Office permit reinstatement of rights (PCT Rule 49.6)?
    Yes, the Office permits reinstatement of rights.
    Fee for reinstatement
    144 USD
    Translation of international application required into (one of) the following language(s):
    Must be furnished or paid within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1).
    Spanish
    Required contents of the translation for entry into the national phase:
    Must be furnished or paid within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1).
    Under PCT Article 22: Description, claims (if amended, as amended only, together with any statement under PCT Article 19), any text matter of drawings, abstract
    Under PCT Article 39(1): Description, claims, any text matter of drawings, abstract (if any of those parts has been amended, only as amended by the annexes to the international preliminary examination report)
    Is a copy of the international application required in particular circumstances?
    The applicant should only send a copy of the international application if he/she has not received Form PCT/IB/308 and the Office has not received a copy of the international application from the International Bureau under PCT Article 20. This may be the case where the applicant expressly requests an earlier start of the national phase under PCT Article 23(2)
    Does the Office accept color drawings under its national law?
    Refer to the Office
    National fees:
    Must be furnished or paid within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1).
    Refer to Law No. 6867 on Patents, Industrial Designs and Utility Models, Article 33(a) and Regulations to the Law on Patents, Industrial Designs and Utility Models, Article 47.
    Patents
    This fee is reduced by 70% where the international application has been filed by natural persons, micro or small enterprises, as defined in Law No. 8262 of Costa Rica, public institutions of higher education or public institutes for scientific or technology research. Together with the request for reduction of the fee, the applicant must provide, in addition to the proof of payment, the following documents: a sworn statement in which the applicant declares that he is entitled to the reduction, a copy of the identification card (“cédula de identidad”) in the case of a natural person or a copy of the corporation card (“cédula jurídica”) in the case of a legal person. To proceed with the registration of the transfer of rights to a third party which is not entitled to the reduction, the latter has to pay the remaining 70% of the fee that was not initially paid by the assignor. In addition, as from the date of transfer to a third party, the assignee has to pay the total amount of the annual fees due to maintain the validity of the patent.
    Filing fee
    500 USD
    Utility models
    Filing fee
    75 USD
    Exemptions, reductions or refunds of fees:
    Refunds of up to 50% may be possible
    Refer to Regulations to the Law No. 6867 on Patents, Industrial Designs and Utility Models, Article 14.
    It is possible to reuse the fee already paid for an application that was subsequently abandoned for the payment of the national fee in respect of a new application with the same subject matter
    Special requirements of the Office (PCT Rule 51bis):
    If not already complied with within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1), the applicant must comply with the requirement within 90 days after entry into the national phase. The Office will not issue an invitation to this effect
    Name and address of the inventor if they have not been furnished in the “Request” part of the international application
    This requirement may be satisfied if the corresponding declaration has been made in accordance with PCT Rule 4.17.
    Instrument of assignment or transfer of the right to the application
    This requirement may be satisfied if the corresponding declaration has been made in accordance with PCT Rule 4.17.
    Evidence of entitlement to claim priority where the applicant is not the applicant who filed the earlier application
    This requirement may be satisfied if the corresponding declaration has been made in accordance with PCT Rule 4.17.
    Evidence concerning non-prejudicial disclosures or exceptions to lack of novelty, such as disclosures resulting from abuse, disclosures at certain exhibitions and disclosures by the applicant during a certain period of time
    This requirement may be satisfied if the corresponding declaration has been made in accordance with PCT Rule 4.17.
    Appointment of an agent or address for notification in Costa Rica
    Translation of the international application or any document relating to it to be furnished in two copies (one paper copy and an additional copy in electronic format (CD-ROM))
    Verified translation of the international application, where deemed necessary
    Verified translation of the priority document
    Only if the validity of the priority claim is relevant to the determination of whether the invention concerned is patentable.
    Who can act as agent?
    Refer to Law No. 6867 on Patents, Industrial Designs and Utility Models, Article 34
    Any attorney registered in Costa Rica
    Does the Office accept the effect of restoration of the right of priority by the receiving Office (PCT Rule 49ter.1)?
    Yes, under the "due care" criterion
    Does the Office accept requests for restoration of the right of priority (PCT Rule 49ter.2)?
    Yes, the Office applies the “due care” criterion to such requests

    The procedure in the national Phase

    CR.01 LANGUAGE OF PROCEEDINGS
    PR Art. 9
    The language of proceedings is Spanish. Where the international application was not filed in Spanish, the applicant shall furnish a verified translation into Spanish.
    CR.02 TRANSLATION (CORRECTION)
    PCT Rule 51bis.1(e)
    Errors in the translation of the international application can be corrected with reference to the text of the international application as originally filed (refer to National Phase, paragraphs NP 6.002 and NP 6.003).
    CR.03 DIVISIONAL APPLICATIONS
    PL Art. 8.1
    An applicant may divide an application into two or more parts, but none of them may entail a broadening of the invention or of the disclosure contained in the initial application. Each divisional application will benefit from the same filing date as the international application which entered the national phase. The amount of the fee for a divisional application is indicated in Annex CR.I.
    CR.04 FEES (MANNER OF PAYMENT)
    The manner of payment of the fees indicated in the Summary and in this Chapter is outlined in Annex CR.I.
    CR.05 ANNUAL FEES
    PL Art. 33bis,
    PR Art. 46.2

    The annual fees to maintain the validity of the patent may be paid in advance for two or more annual periods. The fee payable for registration and issue of the certificate shall waive payment of the first annual fee. The second and subsequent annuities due from the filing date of the application until the date of grant of the patent shall be paid within a maximum period of two months from the date of grant. The due date of each annuity shall be the last day of the month of the anniversary of the filing date of the application. If payment is not made within the prescribed time limits, a period of grace of six months shall be granted for the payment of the annual fee, which shall be made simultaneously with the payment of the surcharge for payment within the grace period. The amounts of the annual fees are indicated in Annex CR.I.
    CR.06 REPRESENTATION
    PL Art. 34
    If the applicant has neither a residence nor a principal place of business in Costa Rica, he shall be represented by a lawyer domiciled in Costa Rica.
    CR.07 AMENDMENT OF THE APPLICATION
    PL Art. 8.1
    The applicant has the right, on his own initiative, to make amendments to the application provided that the scope of the application as filed is not broadened.
    CR.08 EXCUSE OF DELAYS IN MEETING TIME LIMITS
    PCT Article 24(2),
    PCT Article 48(2),
    PCT Rule 82bis

    Reference is made to paragraphs NP 6.022 to NP 6.027 of the National Phase.
    CR.09 REVIEW UNDER ARTICLE 25 OF THE PCT
    The applicable procedure is outlined in paragraphs NP 6.018 to NP 6.021 of the National Phase.a

    Annexes

    Annex CR.I - Fees
    Patents
    Filing fee including formal examination
    This fee is reduced by 70% where the international application has been filed by natural persons, micro or small enterprises, as defined in Law No. 8262 of Costa Rica, public institutions of higher education or public institutes for scientific or technology research. Together with the request for reduction of the fee, the applicant must provide, in addition to the proof of payment, the following documents: a sworn statement in which the applicant declares that he is entitled to the reduction, a copy of the identification card (“cédula de identidad”) in the case of a natural person or a copy of the corporation card (“cédula jurídica”) in the case of a legal person. To proceed with the registration of the transfer of rights to a third party which is not entitled to the reduction, the latter has to pay the remaining 70% of the fee that was not initially paid by the assignor. In addition, as from the date of transfer to a third party, the assignee has to pay the total amount of the annual fees due to maintain the validity of the patent.
    500 USD
    Fee for divisional application
    This fee is reduced by 70% where the international application has been filed by natural persons, micro or small enterprises, as defined in Law No. 8262 of Costa Rica, public institutions of higher education or public institutes for scientific or technology research. Together with the request for reduction of the fee, the applicant must provide, in addition to the proof of payment, the following documents: a sworn statement in which the applicant declares that he is entitled to the reduction, a copy of the identification card (“cédula de identidad”) in the case of a natural person or a copy of the corporation card (“cédula jurídica”) in the case of a legal person. To proceed with the registration of the transfer of rights to a third party which is not entitled to the reduction, the latter has to pay the remaining 70% of the fee that was not initially paid by the assignor. In addition, as from the date of transfer to a third party, the assignee has to pay the total amount of the annual fees due to maintain the validity of the patent.
    500 USD
    Examination fee
    525 USD
    Registration fee
    This fee is reduced by 70% where the international application has been filed by natural persons, micro or small enterprises, as defined in Law No. 8262 of Costa Rica, public institutions of higher education or public institutes for scientific or technology research. Together with the request for reduction of the fee, the applicant must provide, in addition to the proof of payment, the following documents: a sworn statement in which the applicant declares that he is entitled to the reduction, a copy of the identification card (“cédula de identidad”) in the case of a natural person or a copy of the corporation card (“cédula jurídica”) in the case of a legal person. To proceed with the registration of the transfer of rights to a third party which is not entitled to the reduction, the latter has to pay the remaining 70% of the fee that was not initially paid by the assignor. In addition, as from the date of transfer to a third party, the assignee has to pay the total amount of the annual fees due to maintain the validity of the patent.
    500 USD
    Opposition fee
    25 USD
    Annual fees, from the 2nd to the 20th year
    This fee is reduced by 70% where the international application has been filed by natural persons, micro or small enterprises, as defined in Law No. 8262 of Costa Rica, public institutions of higher education or public institutes for scientific or technology research. Together with the request for reduction of the fee, the applicant must provide, in addition to the proof of payment, the following documents: a sworn statement in which the applicant declares that he is entitled to the reduction, a copy of the identification card (“cédula de identidad”) in the case of a natural person or a copy of the corporation card (“cédula jurídica”) in the case of a legal person. To proceed with the registration of the transfer of rights to a third party which is not entitled to the reduction, the latter has to pay the remaining 70% of the fee that was not initially paid by the assignor. In addition, as from the date of transfer to a third party, the assignee has to pay the total amount of the annual fees due to maintain the validity of the patent.
    500 USD
    Surcharge for payment within the grace period
    30% of the annual fee
    Fee for requesting extension of the patent term
    This fee is reduced by 70% where the international application has been filed by natural persons, micro or small enterprises, as defined in Law No. 8262 of Costa Rica, public institutions of higher education or public institutes for scientific or technology research. Together with the request for reduction of the fee, the applicant must provide, in addition to the proof of payment, the following documents: a sworn statement in which the applicant declares that he is entitled to the reduction, a copy of the identification card (“cédula de identidad”) in the case of a natural person or a copy of the corporation card (“cédula jurídica”) in the case of a legal person. To proceed with the registration of the transfer of rights to a third party which is not entitled to the reduction, the latter has to pay the remaining 70% of the fee that was not initially paid by the assignor. In addition, as from the date of transfer to a third party, the assignee has to pay the total amount of the annual fees due to maintain the validity of the patent.
    150 USD
    Fee for reinstatement of rights
    144 USD
    Fee for restoration of the right of priority
    144 USD
    Utility Models
    Filing fee
    This fee is reduced by 70% where the international application has been filed by natural persons, micro or small enterprises, as defined in Law No. 8262 of Costa Rica, public institutions of higher education or public institutes for scientific or technology research. Together with the request for reduction of the fee, the applicant must provide, in addition to the proof of payment, the following documents: a sworn statement in which the applicant declares that he is entitled to the reduction, a copy of the identification card (“cédula de identidad”) in the case of a natural person or a copy of the corporation card (“cédula jurídica”) in the case of a legal person. To proceed with the registration of the transfer of rights to a third party which is not entitled to the reduction, the latter has to pay the remaining 70% of the fee that was not initially paid by the assignor. In addition, as from the date of transfer to a third party, the assignee has to pay the total amount of the annual fees due to maintain the validity of the patent.
    75 USD
    Fee for divisional application
    This fee is reduced by 70% where the international application has been filed by natural persons, micro or small enterprises, as defined in Law No. 8262 of Costa Rica, public institutions of higher education or public institutes for scientific or technology research. Together with the request for reduction of the fee, the applicant must provide, in addition to the proof of payment, the following documents: a sworn statement in which the applicant declares that he is entitled to the reduction, a copy of the identification card (“cédula de identidad”) in the case of a natural person or a copy of the corporation card (“cédula jurídica”) in the case of a legal person. To proceed with the registration of the transfer of rights to a third party which is not entitled to the reduction, the latter has to pay the remaining 70% of the fee that was not initially paid by the assignor. In addition, as from the date of transfer to a third party, the assignee has to pay the total amount of the annual fees due to maintain the validity of the patent.
    75 USD
    Examination fee
    525 USD
    Opposition fee
    30 USD
    How can payment of fees be effected?
    All fees must be paid to the Bank of Costa Rica, Banco de Costa Rica, presenting evidence of the payment to the Registry together with the application
    Forms
    Please refer to the Office.
    Versión actual en vigor desde 1 de enero de 2026 , impresa en 16 de febrero de 2026
    2.2 #71 - 2026-02-10T18:40:34.131+01:00