US Passport Renewals Available in La Fortuna on 22 October

US citizens living near Arenal can renew a passport without travelling to the capital this week. The US Embassy is holding a town hall in La Fortuna on Thursday, 22 October 2026, at 11 a.m., with passport renewals and notary services following the meeting.

Key facts

• Date and time: Thursday, 22 October 2026, at 11 a.m.
• Venue: Las Espuelas room, Centro Integral Generacional ADIFORT (CIGA), La Fortuna
• Adult passport renewal fee: $130
• Notary services: $50 per signature, or $100 if the notary signs twice
• Payment: all fees must be paid in advance online through pay.gov

Who can be served in La Fortuna?

Only passport renewals are available at the event. Travellers who need a first passport, or whose passport was lost, stolen or damaged, must still apply in person at the embassy in San José by appointment.

For questions about a child's passport, the embassy advises checking its notice or calling ahead before attending.

What does it cost and what should I bring?

An adult renewal costs $130. Notary services cost $50 per signature, or $100 if the notary has to sign twice. All fees must be paid in advance online through pay.gov, so this should be completed before Thursday.

For notary services, bring the document fully completed except for the signatures, together with a valid photo ID and a copy of that ID.

How do I attend?

The embassy asks US citizens to register in advance using the form linked from its announcement on cr.usembassy.gov. Those who cannot attend can contact American Citizen Services at +506 2519-2000 or [email protected]. From the United States, the State Department's consular line is +1 (888) 407-4747.

What else is on the agenda?

Senior embassy officials will attend to hear about US citizens' experience living in Costa Rica, with safety, security and crime prevention on the agenda. Staff will also answer questions about voting from abroad in the US midterm elections and hand out registration forms. Election Day is 3 November, leaving little time for anyone who has not yet requested a ballot.

The La Fortuna session is part of a series of regional meetings the embassy has held with US citizens outside the capital this fall, following a town hall in Atenas on 6 October.

What this means for travellers

US citizens in the La Fortuna area who want to renew a passport should register in advance, pay the renewal fee online before the event and arrive with the required documents. Anyone needing a first passport or a replacement for a lost, stolen or damaged one must plan a trip to the embassy in San José instead.