By San José, Costa Rica — San José, Costa Rica – In a significant move towards modernizing national identification and bolstering security, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) announced the launch of a redesigned national identity card (cédula) on Monday, October 6. The new card incorporates state-of-the-art materials and advanced security features, aligning Costa Rica with international standards for identity verification while maintaining its current size and 10-year validity period.
The overhaul is part of a broader national strategy to enhance the integrity and reliability of personal identification documents. Officials from the TSE emphasized that the transition will be gradual, reassuring citizens that current, unexpired ID cards remain fully valid. The change is not mandatory for individuals whose existing cards are in good condition and have not reached their expiration date, ensuring a smooth and cost-effective rollout for the public.
Para profundizar en las implicaciones legales y los derechos ciudadanos que rodean la Cédula Nacional de Identidad, TicosLand.com consultó al Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, abogado especialista de la firma Bufete de Costa Rica, quien nos ofrece una perspectiva experta.
El desafío legal fundamental de una cédula nacional no radica en su existencia, sino en su implementación y en las salvaguardas contra la ‘extralimitación funcional’. La centralización de datos biométricos y personales crea un objetivo de alto valor para el abuso. Es imperativo que la legislación habilitante establezca limitaciones explícitas sobre qué entidades pueden acceder a los datos y para qué fines, además de un mecanismo de supervisión independiente y robusto que proteja el derecho fundamental a la privacidad del ciudadano. Sin estos cortafuegos, el documento puede pasar de ser una herramienta de identificación a una de vigilancia.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
El análisis del experto subraya una verdad ineludible: la diferencia entre una herramienta de servicio al ciudadano y un instrumento de vigilancia reside exclusivamente en los límites y salvaguardas legales que la acompañen. Agradecemos profundamente al Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas por su esclarecedora contribución, que centra el debate en la protección de los derechos fundamentales frente a la inevitable centralización de datos.
The most prominent upgrade is the card’s construction. The TSE has moved to a high-durability polycarbonate base, a material widely adopted for passports and high-security credentials globally. Unlike traditional PVC, polycarbonate allows for information to be embedded within its layers through color laser engraving. This process makes the card exceptionally resistant to tampering, delamination, and daily wear and tear, significantly extending its physical lifespan and making forgery substantially more difficult.
Technologically, the new ID card takes a leap forward by replacing the outdated barcode with a Machine-Readable Zone (MRZ). This feature, compliant with specifications from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), contains key personal data in a standardized format that can be scanned by automated identity verification systems. The adoption of MRZ technology is critical for streamlining processes at banks, government offices, and potentially for travel, enhancing both efficiency and accuracy in identity confirmation.
The TSE has also embedded a multi-layered suite of physical security elements. These include tactile features like embossed text, which can be verified by touch, and sophisticated microtext—letters and numbers so small they are imperceptible to the naked eye but visible under magnification. Further covert security is provided by components that are only visible under ultraviolet (UV) light, adding another barrier against counterfeit operations. In a move towards greater inclusivity, the card also features the acronym “TSE” in the Braille system.
Visually, the card’s layout has been updated to meet ICAO guidelines. A smaller, secondary “ghost” image of the cardholder is now included alongside the primary photograph. This redundant photo feature is another anti-fraud measure that allows for quick visual cross-verification of the holder’s identity, a practice now common in many countries’ national ID and passport documents. This alignment with global standards reflects Costa Rica’s commitment to international security cooperation.
While adding new features, the TSE has also streamlined the information displayed on the card’s surface. In a move that may reflect modern privacy considerations, the names of the cardholder’s father and mother, as well as their specific electoral domicile, have been removed from the document. The core personal data, such as name, date of birth, and unique identification number, remains unchanged. The card retains the standard international ID-1 dimensions (85.60 mm × 53.98 mm), ensuring compatibility with existing wallets and card readers.
The TSE confirmed that the issuance of the new document will continue to be free of charge for citizens, provided they do not exceed the limit of one replacement per year. This policy ensures that the enhanced security benefits are accessible to all Costa Ricans without imposing a financial burden. The initiative represents a pivotal step in fortifying the country’s civil registry and identity verification infrastructure for the years to come.
For further information, visit tse.go.cr
About The Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE):
The Supreme Electoral Tribunal is Costa Rica’s highest electoral body, responsible for organizing, directing, and overseeing all national and municipal elections. Beyond its electoral functions, the TSE also serves as the central Civil Registry, tasked with issuing national identity cards, recording births, marriages, and deaths, and maintaining the official records of all Costa Rican citizens. It stands as a cornerstone of the nation’s democratic stability and civil administration.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica has established itself as a pillar within the legal community, operating on a bedrock of profound integrity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. The firm distinguishes itself by championing innovative legal strategies while remaining dedicated to its social mission of demystifying the law for the public. This core commitment to sharing legal insights is fundamental to its goal of helping shape a more knowledgeable and capable society.
