Thought I'd post some additional information on what they are currently requiring for renewals since the changes of a couple months ago. In addition to documentation of CAJA enrollment (
Orden Patronal), they now require a Costa Rican police report from the Poder Judicial. The report is informally known as a
Hoja de Delincuencia (formally it's a
Certificación de Antecedentes Penales). This is not the same as the initial Police Report required for first time residency. They want to know if you have committed any crimes here in CR. You get your
Hoja de Delincuencia at the Registro Judicial across from the main court building in San José.
I went there about 10am, Monday to get mine and there was a line of maybe 400 people circling the block. I went to the entrance of the building to find out what time they opened, so that I could return another day. I found out from the guard there that you could make the request online (
http://www.poder-judicial.go.cr/) and come back in a couple days and use an express line. I did that and went back today and my wait in line was about 90 seconds.
Also, they are not requiring embassy registration; although, as ID said above, it's easy to do and not a bad idea.
One other thing, I'm a pensionado with permanent residency. I don't know if there are additional requirements with other residency classes.