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Allen Richard often says on his "Unbridled: Living in Costa Rica" website that he can connect people to an honest Tica lawyer who will not take advantage of them. You might wish to try that option. Allen is a controversial figure in his own way, a former US Marine and former pastor in his native state of Louisianian CR since 2013, with his share of fans and detractors. It would not check to contact him directly or during his program, which airs live on the first Sunday of each month at 4PM, and ask the question so that others will also be exposed to the response. Based on his own experience, Allen is highly critical of an established source with a URL link that supplies expat services for CR. I find Allen to be entertaining and informative. Others, not so much... (E.g., the recent video of Sarah Elena). I think you have nothing to lose to contact Allen, either directly or via his Vlog.

PS re.: Allen Richárd. Allen often points out that the people most likely to take advantage of "newbie" expats in CR are established expats themselves.

I meant to write: "It would not HURT to check WITH HIM or to contact him directly or during his program..."

For years Allen also formed the blogging duo dubbed "The 'Odd Couple,'" along with the recently deceased "Michael Alan," who died last week of sudden onset pancreatic cancer.

RIP to Michael, who provided many valuable tips and services for prospective expats.

I find Allen Richárd to be a useful resource, but his "Schicht" (as New Yorkers say) needs to be taken with more than a few grains of salt.

@gst1212...The bottom line with Allen Richard he comes off as a used car salesman from the U.S....He is control freak too...The only thing worse than a car salesman in Costa Rica, is a realtor..

As I said, he needs to be taken with several large grains of salt, but as we say, "Even a broken clock is right twice a day."

@gst1212,,,At least he is upfront about his sketchy existence in Costa Rica and is audible on who burned him for $$$$$$..

Yes, he was not afraid to name names.

@Tufty

I'm sorry for your loss.  I hope he enjoyed CR as much as some of us.

Can't you have the lawyers send it to you via DHL or similar??  and then you send it back??   You would have to find out what types of private mail carriers have service to and from the UK to CR.

Of course, things do get lost in the 'mail' ...  but they could always send it again.

I hope somebody who is considering travel here can help you with this.

Note to others...  If you live here, have a CR 'will' in addition to having a 'will' in your home country.  It makes things easier for loved ones when the time comes.

Peace to all

If you're a citizen of the United States, the U.S. Embassy in San Jose has a notary service that is recognized in all States. If you're a British citizen, then either the British Embassy here in Costa Rica or the British government in Great Britain should be able to perform the same service. Of course, you'll need the documents to be signed, but DHL, UPS and FedEx all operate virtually worldwide. Of course, nobody said "cheap".

Getting an appointment at the embassy would be vital before showing up there.

Sometimes difficult, and walk-ups are not welcome on most occasions, at the US Embassy in Pavas, San José.

As a notary commissioned in a county in my home state (for a four-year, renewable term), it might be worth pointing out that notarization also requires two (2) witnesses (which presumably could be provided by embassy staff).

Once again, Dave and Marcia, great suggestion.

A trivia factoid for notaries in my state: Once they move out-of-state, at the end of their four-year term they can renew their commission (in my case, @ $60.00 for four years), but the commission reverts to the county in which the state capital is located, not the former county of residence.

One would also likely have to purchase a new notary stamp from an outlet on Amazon or elsewhere.