Finalización del trámite de inscripción de matrimonio entre personas del mismo sexo dependerá de que se anule o derogue artículo del Código de Familia.

Indicación del sexo de nacimiento se suprime de la cédula de identidad para evitar estigmatización.

Este lunes, en la sesión n° 49-2018 y actuando como jerarca administrativo del Registro Civil, el Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones (TSE) conoció el informe técnico preparado por la comisión interna que estudió la Opinión Consultiva (OC-24/17) de la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos, así como las recomendaciones registrales que esa comisión formuló.

Sobre la base de esa opinión experta, el TSE adoptó una serie de decisiones, partiendo del reconocimiento de que dicho pronunciamiento es vinculante para Costa Rica.

De conformidad con ese reconocimiento, el TSE aprobó y reguló el cambio de nombre por identidad de género autopercibida para las personas que así lo soliciten al Registro Civil. Esta decisión regirá una vez que se publique en La Gaceta la reforma hoy introducida al Reglamento del Estado Civil. Lo acordado por los magistrados además contempla -para viabilizar en sede registral el cambio de nombre- que el procedimiento prescinda de mayores formalidades, no requiera la publicación de edictos y sea gratuito.

Con el fin de evitar efectos estigmatizantes, adicionalmente, se procederá a eliminar la indicación del sexo de nacimiento en todas las cédulas de identidad.

En cuanto al matrimonio entre personas del mismo sexo, no corresponde al Registro Civil autorizar o no la celebración de estos matrimonios, pues su función en ese ámbito es solamente registral; es decir, no le corresponde dictar lineamientos para las personas habilitadas por el ordenamiento jurídico para casar.

En lo que respecta a la inscripción definitiva de dichos matrimonios, para que esta sea posible, es necesario que previamente sea dejado sin efecto (por anulación o derogación) el artículo 14.6 del Código de Familia. Ello, en nuestro ordenamiento jurídico, solo puede hacerlo la Sala Constitucional (que en este momento tiene varios expedientes abiertos relativos a ese particular) o la Asamblea Legislativa.

Por esa razón, en cumplimiento de lo dispuesto en la Opinión Consultiva de la Corte IDH, en la cual se insta al Estado a que impulse de buena fe también las reformas administrativas necesarias para adecuar sus ordenamientos, el TSE continuará recibiendo las solicitudes de inscripción de matrimonios entre personas del mismo sexo. Si el documento cumple con las exigencias y formalidades respectivas, se hará una anotación marginal en los estados civiles de los contrayentes, lo que incide en su libertad de estado. No obstante, la inscripción del matrimonio no podrá concluir en tanto siga vigente el artículo 14.6 del Código de Familia. Una vez suprimida del ordenamiento dicha norma, la inscripción tendrá efectos retroactivos en beneficio de los contrayentes.

Para mayor información periodística, contacte a la Unidad de Prensa y Protocolo con los periodistas Giannina Aguilar y Cedric Solano. Tels. 2287 5962-2287 5964

TSE pronounces on Advisory Opinion of the IACHR Court:

Completion of the registration process for marriage between persons of the same sex will depend on the annulment or repeal of the Family Code article.
Indication of the sex of birth is deleted from the identity card to avoid stigmatization.

This Monday, in the session n ° 49-2018 and acting as administrative hierarchy of the Civil Registry, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) met the technical report prepared by the internal commission that studied the Advisory opinion (OC-24/17) of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, as well as the registry recommendations that that commission formulated.

On the basis of that expert opinion, the TSE adopted a series of decisions, based on the recognition that such a pronouncement is binding on Costa Rica.

In accordance with this recognition, the TSE approved and regulated the change of name by self-perceived gender identity for persons who so request it to the Civil Registry. This decision will govern once the reform published in La Gaceta is published today to the Civil Status Regulation. As agreed by the judges, in order to make the change of name to the registry, the procedure does not require the publication of edicts and free of charge.

In order to avoid stigmatizing effects, in addition, the indication of the sex of birth will be eliminated in all identity cards.

As for marriage between persons of the same sex, it is not up to the Civil Registry to authorize or not the celebration of these marriages, since their function in this area is only registered; that is, it is not appropriate to issue guidelines for persons empowered by the legal system to get married.

With regard to the definitive registration of such marriages, in order for this to be possible, it is necessary that previously, article 14.6 of the Family Code be annulled (by annulment or repeal). This, in our legal system, can only be done by the Constitutional Chamber (which at this moment has several open files related to that particular) or by the Legislative Assembly.

For this reason, in compliance with the provisions of the Advisory Opinion of the Inter-American Court, in which the State is urged to promote in good faith the administrative reforms necessary to adapt its legal systems, the TSE will continue to receive requests for registration marriages between people of the same sex. If the document complies with the respective requirements and formalities, a marginal annotation will be made in the civil status of the contracting parties, which affects their freedom of state. However, the registration of the marriage can not be concluded as long as article 14.6 of the Family Code remains in force. Once the regulation is deleted from the regulation, the registration will have retroactive effects for the benefit of the contracting parties.

Controversy surrounds Costa Rica’s decision on gender identity

Costa Rica’s Supreme Elections Tribunal (TSE) announced Monday that citizens can change the name on their government issued ID cards to fit their “self-perceived gender,” setting off a chain reaction of jubilation and backlash.

Opponents of the decision, including the bishops of the Catholic Church and members of the National Restoration Party (PRN) and Social Christian Unity Party (PUSC), have criticized the decision in the days following the announcement, while advocates of LGBTQ rights acclaimed the change.

The decision allows person whose name assigned at birth does not fit his or her desired gender identity to request a name change directly with the TSE, rather than going through the court system, as is required for citizens who wish to change their legal names for any other reason. Read more via Tico Times