Job Discussion Forums

[katelynch10]

I am having a debate with my loving husband about whether or not we need to have a notarized copy (by the Costa Rican Embassy) of our University diplomas. We heard that an employer needs proof of education before hiring. Does anyone know if this is something we should have done in the states before we leave??

[John Hall]

It depends on who you are going to work for. If it's a cheap language school with more telemarketers than teachers, they probably won't even ask to see your diplomas, let alone copies of them. At ULACIT where I work, I had to show the originals. Notarized copies would also probably have worked. It all depends on the quality of the school where you are going to work.

[Ecrivain]

This is the first I've heard of this for Costa Rican employment. But now I see on the embassy's website that there's a lengthy procedure for legalizing transcripts and diplomas: http://www.costarica-embassy.org/consular/legal/Diplomas_and_Transcripts.htm.

John, did you have to go through all of this, including the notarization and such? Or did you just provide your diploma as it was originally given to you?

Anyone else have this experience?

[John Hall]

I'm Canadian, and when I became a legal resident of C.R., I had to get all my diplomas notarized by the Costa Rican consulate back in Canada. Since then, I have always just brought along the originals to job interviews.

[katelynch10]

i was thinking I might get an official notarized copy from my university. I dont feel that great about carrying around my original diploma, if that is in fact what you mean. I am going to see what my school says and then research it some more. I feel like this could be a potentially time consuming process. Anyone know??

[John Hall]

There is a risk in carrying around the originals, of course. I would think that the notarized copy from your university would be fine. As to how much time that takes, that all depends on your university, where you are, etc.