Where Folio's data comes from
Folio does not invent facts about a property. It reads the same public, official records a careful lawyer would consult, and gathers them into one place. Here is every source, and what each one tells you.
Folio reads public official records from Costa Rica's registries and agencies. It is independent, not affiliated with any government body, and it presents the data for information only, never as legal advice.
The principle: public, official, independent
Everything Folio shows you comes from public, official Costa Rica records, gathered and presented, not authored by Folio. The value is not that Folio knows something secret. It is that these records live in separate agencies, in Spanish, that do not connect, and Folio brings them together so you can read them in one view.
Being independent is the point. Folio is a private platform, not a government service. It reflects what the official record says, which means it is only ever as current and complete as those records are, and that is exactly why your lawyer confirms the specifics before you commit.
Folio pulls the official records for any Costa Rica property and shows you the combined picture. Free to start.
The official sources Folio reads
| Source | What it is | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| Registro Nacional | National property registry | Registered owner, folio real, mortgages and liens |
| National Cadastre | Catastro, the parcel map | Parcel outline, plano and location of the finca |
| ICT | Costa Rica tourism institute | Maritime-zone (ZMT) context and coastal regulatory plans |
| SETENA | National environmental authority | Environmental review and viability context for development |
| SINAC | National conservation system | National parks, reserves and protected-area overlaps |
| CNE | National emergency commission | Flood, landslide and hazard mapping |
| SENARA | National water and irrigation authority | Aquifer and water-district context |
Why gathering them matters
Each of these sources answers one question well and says nothing about the others. The registry knows who owns a parcel but nothing about flood risk. CNE maps hazard but knows nothing about liens. On their own, they leave a buyer with seven browser tabs and no picture. Folio's work is the overlay: putting a single parcel against all of them at once, so the gaps and the flags become visible together.
Reading the official record is the right starting point, but official records can be out of date, can contain errors, and can lag what is actually happening on the ground. That is why Folio is informational, why the verified report captures the record at the moment it is produced, and why a surveyor and a lawyer still confirm the ground truth and the legal specifics.
What Folio is not
Folio is not a government agency, not affiliated with one, and not endorsed by one. It does not issue title, does not certify legality, and does not give legal advice. It presents public data so that you, your agent, and your lawyer can work from the same clear picture. The judgment stays with the licensed professionals.
Free to start. Folio pulls the public records for any property so you know what to ask your lawyer before you spend.
Frequently asked questions
Where does Folio get its data?
From public official records: the Registro Nacional, the National Cadastre, ICT, SETENA, SINAC, CNE and SENARA. The same public sources a careful lawyer consults, gathered into one place.
Is Folio affiliated with the government?
No. Folio is an independent, private platform. It reads public records but is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting for any government agency.
Is the data legal advice?
No. It is public information, surfaced for you. It is not legal advice and does not replace a lawyer, notary, or surveyor.
How current is it?
It reflects the records as each source publishes them. Official records can change and can lag reality, so a report captures the record at that moment and your lawyer confirms the specifics.