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 Post subject: Re: Passport possession
PostPosted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 5:22 pm 
PHD From Del Rey University!
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Location: Sabana Oeste , Costa Rica
Joe Merchant wrote:
This is what I was told by the Transit police as he was writing me a 494000 colonie ticket for NOT having my passport in the car with me..
Yes, I did have a copy, but he explained that the copy must be notarized by your attorney...
We are looking into the new laws...

Have Fun!!


I certainly hope you had both a copy of your passport and your entry stamp and filed an appeal in the ten day period you had to do that. The Director of the transito's was very clear when queried on that subject last year. Responding to complaint by a tourist that they were given a ticket for having only a copy he stated that a copy was perfectly acceptable if you also have a copy of your entry stamp. The tourist who complained DID NOT have the entry stamp just a copy of the passport.

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 Post subject: Re: Passport possession
PostPosted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 10:01 pm 
Ticas ask me for advice!
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Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2008 6:05 pm
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Location: At The "Y"
I have also read in previous posts on this subject to carry with you your boarding pass which shows clearly your date of entry into CR. That in combo with a photocopy of the enty stamp (which sometimes is not very legible) should cover ya.


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 Post subject: Re: Passport possession
PostPosted: Fri Jan 28, 2011 1:21 pm 
PHD From Del Rey University!
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Srilm wrote:
Joe Merchant wrote:
This is what I was told by the Transit police as he was writing me a 494000 colonie ticket for NOT having my passport in the car with me..
Yes, I did have a copy, but he explained that the copy must be notarized by your attorney...
We are looking into the new laws...

Have Fun!!


Is a copy still OK if you're operating a car? I don't know because I don't drive in CR. That's the only issue I can think of.

SR

YOU ARE CORRECT.

It's different when you are driving versus for just walking town. When driving, you MUST have the ORIGINAL passport along with your US driver's license. I was told this by the car rental agency clerk. Honestly, I'd take his word over the chief of the transitos. :lol:


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 Post subject: Re: Passport possession
PostPosted: Fri Jan 28, 2011 1:26 pm 
PHD From Del Rey University!
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Joe Merchant wrote:
This is what I was told by the Transit police as he was writing me a 494000 colonie ticket for NOT having my passport in the car with me..

Is that a typo? ¢494,000? As in $1,000? :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:


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 Post subject: Re: Passport possession
PostPosted: Fri Jan 28, 2011 1:30 pm 
PHD From Del Rey University!
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PlaneCrazy wrote:
Orange wrote:
Photocopy is ok. Do not let any crooked cop scare you into paying him an extortion because you don't have your original. If you have a clear copy of the bio page and entry stamp, tell him to go phuck himself.


LOL, not very good advice in a foreign country... especially one that still practices a version of Napoleonic law where you are presumed guilty and have to prove your innocence.

Instead, I would suggest you be polite to Mr. Policeman (always) and you most likely will not have any issues. But, as is the case with every sovereign country, an official of that country has every right to demand to see the original passport if they so desire. Just tell them it's back in you hotel safe.

I carry a color photocopy of my passport's picture and data pages and I get the hotel to photocopy the entry stamp after I arrive. Never had an issue.

Did you understand my post?

I said if he requests/demands an extortion and you are ABIDING BY THE LAW, you should tell him to go Phuck himself. Obviously, say that in the most polite manner than you can. :lol:

Or you could just be a pu*sy and pay it, giving him the idea that all gringos are a bunch of pussies that can be scared into paying an extortion.


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 Post subject: Re: Passport possession
PostPosted: Fri Jan 28, 2011 1:40 pm 
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Joined: Thu Nov 30, 2006 10:46 pm
Posts: 356
Location: Indiana
Good advice concerning passports. Since 2006 I've been asked for it twice: once in a raid of a bar by la migra and another time by transito motorcycle cops. In the first instance it was the only time that I did not have any ID on me. Migra could have taken me and held me, but I explained what happened and they gave me the spiel about photocopying both info and entry stamp pages. The second time I was walking from SL to DR, one pulled in front to block me while the other pulled alongside. I suspected a shakedown, put spoke politely (in Spanish) while they looked at the stamp. The irony was that my original stamp was illegible. They let me go without incident.

I go to the Photocopy place for the laminated copy of info and entry. It is easier to carry (In the first instance above, I forgot my photocopied passport).


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 Post subject: Re: Passport possession
PostPosted: Fri Jan 28, 2011 7:06 pm 
Ticas ask me for advice!

Joined: Thu Dec 25, 2008 1:21 pm
Posts: 380
Location: Canada
Orange wrote:
PlaneCrazy wrote:
Orange wrote:
Photocopy is ok. Do not let any crooked cop scare you into paying him an extortion because you don't have your original. If you have a clear copy of the bio page and entry stamp, tell him to go phuck himself.


LOL, not very good advice in a foreign country... especially one that still practices a version of Napoleonic law where you are presumed guilty and have to prove your innocence.

Instead, I would suggest you be polite to Mr. Policeman (always) and you most likely will not have any issues. But, as is the case with every sovereign country, an official of that country has every right to demand to see the original passport if they so desire. Just tell them it's back in you hotel safe.

I carry a color photocopy of my passport's picture and data pages and I get the hotel to photocopy the entry stamp after I arrive. Never had an issue.

Did you understand my post?

I said if he requests/demands an extortion and you are ABIDING BY THE LAW, you should tell him to go Phuck himself. Obviously, say that in the most polite manner than you can. :lol:

Or you could just be a pu*sy and pay it, giving him the idea that all gringos are a bunch of pussies that can be scared into paying an extortion.


Heh.. if you wanna go around and tell cops to go Phuck themselves in a foreign country, then fill your boots. I never said he should pay any extortion money, did I?... did you understand MY post?

And since when does being polite equate to being a pu*sy? It's easy to act tuff on a forum friend. I'd rather be thought of as a pu*sy and not spend several weeks in a shit hole third world jail just because I pissed off the wrong cop off.

Sheesh, sometimes I think people here actually believe what the chicas say to them in bed.


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 Post subject: Re: Passport possession
PostPosted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 10:31 am 
PHD From Del Rey University!
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Srilm understood what I meant. I don't think it would be wise to literally tell any official abroad "Go Phuck yourself". What I mean is not backing down from your stance that you are not in the wrong and refuse to pay any kind of an extortion. "Take me to the police station" is tantamount to saying "Phuck you, I'm not paying you shit!"


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 Post subject: Re: Passport possession
PostPosted: Sat Feb 05, 2011 4:30 pm 
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Nhhank wrote:
A good color copy helps... get one done in the US and try to get it stamped at imigation at SJO....

I copy my passport with photo paper at home and I am 2 for 3 in getting immagration to stamp it


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 Post subject: Re: Passport possession
PostPosted: Sat Feb 05, 2011 5:29 pm 
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Joined: Mon Jan 31, 2005 7:11 pm
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Location: Toronto Ontario Canada
When you stay at the Freebird , one of thr first things Dennis does is make a copy of your passport with even asking.


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