Digital transformation is undoubtedly an unavoidable process for any country seeking to advance toward development and competitiveness. In this regard, Costa Rica has promoted reforms aimed at modernizing public services, improving administrative efficiency, and strengthening legal certainty.

Within this context and in line with global trends, through the implementation of Law No. 10597, the National Registry of Costa Rica has established the obligation for Costa Rican corporations to register an official email address, which will serve as the formal means of electronic notification.

For this purpose, companies have a one-year period starting on June 4th, 2025, which will therefore expire on June 5th, 2026.
This measure arises in response to the need to streamline communication – particularly formal notifications – addressed to legal entities registered in Costa Rica, reduce administrative processing times, and minimize the use of hard documents. It also ensures that administrative actions or requests directed to a company are effectively communicated, guaranteeing due process and timely access to relevant information.

The registration of an electronic means of notification derives from the principles of registry publicity and legal certainty. Consequently, communications sent to that registered address are considered as formally notified, provided said communications comply with the requirements of the administrative action and the principles of validity and effectiveness.

The registered email address thus constitutes the official means through which Costa Rican companies – as well as branches of foreign companies registered in the country and those with registered representatives in Costa Rica – will receive administrative and judicial notifications.

Therefore, it must be handled with strict diligence, updated when necessary, and checked regularly. Failure to update or monitor such an email account may result in adverse consequences for the company’s operations or interests, such as missing legal deadlines, delayed or absent defense in judicial or administrative proceedings, or breach of obligations.

For this reason, it is highly advisable for the company to internally designate an individual, who will be responsible for managing this email account, in order to ensure its continuity and control.

To comply with this obligation, both existing companies and those to be incorporated must designate a valid and active electronic address and complete the corresponding registration procedure before the National Registry through the channels enabled for that purpose, in accordance with Directive DPJ-002-2025 issued by the Directorate of the Registry for Legal Entities. This procedure can be carried out in two possible ways; in both cases, it requires the publication of a notice, the participation of a Notary Public, and the formal submission of a registration request before the National Registry.

In conclusion, registering an email address with the National Registry is not merely an administrative requirement but an essential tool for ensuring operational continuity, transparency, and legal certainty for companies. Proper management and periodic updating of this email address, strengthen the companies’ ability to respond to potential notifications, enabling a more efficient, immediate, transparent, and reliable notification system.

Tags: #costaricalawfirm, costaricacompanies, costaricaemail