Thanx for joining us Anaconda, it's pretty easy to research on the public register, but first you need to understand the Spanish. Also, the public register is visited so much by mainly attorneys, that it's too busy to get in. It's best to do your research after 9:00 pm Tico Time or before 6:00 am.
Here we go:
go to
http://www.registronacional.go.cr/ and go to "consultas" or go straight to
http://196.40.22.13/ Now click on "bienes inmuebles"
Now you have several options:
Por Número de Finca o Concesión = property number
Por Nombre Físico o Nombre Jurídico = physical name or corporate name
Por Número de Identificación = id number (cedula or passport number)
So you have to make your choice of the three. It might be you don't have the complete info on the property, so you can try different ways.
On the first one, you need a property number: starts with the province and below the the number. You don't have to bother with the rest unless it's a condominium or maritime zoning. If you're lucky and not too many people are doing a search at that time, you will get the info by clickin on "consultar"
For the second you choose if it's a personal name or a corporate name. For the personal name, sometimes, since foreigners have only one last name and sometimes a maiden name an 5 first names, it's impossible to do a search as you don't know how the registrar typed it in. With a corporate name, you could type in only the first couple of words and the system will give you all corporations starting with that name. It'll make your search easier. But try to use passport number or preoperty number. Don't forget that most foreigners get a new passport number everytime they get a new passport. Ticos keep the same number all their life as it is their ID number. Ticos have lots of things much better and simpler than we have!!!! Go to "consultar" again for the info
For the third you just use the ID number of the owner.
Now, since you'll get the info, you might not know what you'll be looking at. It is so much better to as your attorney about it. But the main things to look out for are "gravamenes" and/or "anotaciones", that's where you have to be careful. Many gravamenes and anotaciones are perfectly explainable, like a powerline over the property, a water pipe or a mortgage. Many gravamenes and anotaciones need checking on microfilm in the Register and you would need your attorney to do so or spend hours at the register yourself.
hope this helps
Ivo
Godutch Realty
