Can same sex couples marry in Costa Rica?
As of May 2020, same sex couples can now wed in costa rica! This is a huge step forward for LGBTQ rights in the country and fantastic news for LGBTQ people all over the world!
Same-sex marriage in Costa Rica has been legal since May 26, 2020 as a result of a ruling by the Supreme Court of Justice. Costa Rica was the first country in Central America to recognize and perform same-sex marriages and we hope that other countries will soon follow suit.
The Supreme Court’s decision came after hearing arguments in early 2020 from several same-sex couples who had been denied marriage licenses by the Registrar’s Office. The Court ruled that the Registrar’s Office must issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples within 15 days, and that if they refused to do so, they would be fined.
The ruling was the result of a lawsuit filed by same-sex couples seeking to have their marriages recognized by the state. The court ruled that the country’s current laws were discriminatory and violated the rights of same-sex couples. The ruling went into effect immediately, and Costa Rica began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples!
Fun facts about same sex weddings in Costa Rica
Within a week of the ruling, 83 same sex couples said I do!
From May to the end of Dec 2020, almost 450 couples had tied to the knot!
In January and February 2021, an additional 225 same sex couples married in Costa Rica!
& We can’t wait to keep adding to that number forever!!
Costa Rica has many laws in place to protect LGBTQ+ people from discrimination and even ensures some rights to a family life, with equal marriage and adoption by same-sex couples enacted into law by May 2020. Overall, it has one of the best records for LGBTQ+ rights in the region.
May 26, 2020 is an important milestone in Costa Rica’s wedding and tourism industry. We are so excited to see this beautiful country become an even more popular destination for gay and lesbian weddings in the months and years to come. Now that all couples can legally marry in Costa Rica, there’s nothing holding you back from the destination wedding of your dreams. Congratulations Costa Rica! Thanks for leading the way.
So what are you waiting for? Start planning your Costa Rican wedding today!
Have more questions about how to legally marry in Costa Rica? Check out this blog!
Posted in Costa Rica
