RE-ISSUANCE OF PUERTO RICO BIRTH CERTIFICATES

The following information is summarized from the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration: Birth Certificate Law and frequently asked questions (FAQs), http://www.prfaa.com/birthcertificates/; http://www.salud.gov.pr/Programas/RegistroDemografico/Pages/
InformacionsobrenuevosCertificadosdeNacimiento.aspx

SUMMARY OF THE NEW BIRTH CERTIFICATE LAW 191:

A new law adopted in Puerto Rico in December of 2009, (Law 191) is aimed at strengthening the issuance and usage of birth certificates to combat fraud and protect the identity and credit of all persons born in Puerto Rico. Approximately, 40% of passport fraud cases investigated by the U.S. Dept. of State (DOS) and the Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) in recent years involved stolen Puerto Rican birth certificates. This left Puerto Rico-born citizens vulnerable to identity theft, ruined credit, improper access to Social Security benefits, and increased “random” security checks at airports.

The new law 191, which went into effect on January 1, 2010, implements the following changes:

• On October 30, 2010, the law will invalidate all birth certificates issued before that date by the Puerto Rico Health Department, through its Vital Statistics Record Office. Until that date, all birth certificates will remain valid.
• On July 1, 2010, the Vital Statistics Record Office will begin issuing new birth certificates incorporating state-of-the-art technology to limit document forgery. The law provides that the date of validity for the current birth certificates may be extended by the Puerto Rico Health Department if the new birth certificates are not ready to be issued on July 1, 2010.
• As of January 1, 2010, the law also establishes that no public or private entity within the jurisdiction of Puerto Rico may retain an original copy of a Puerto Rico issued birth certificate. Local agencies in Puerto Rico, as well as private employers, may request to inspect birth certificates and even can copy them, but cannot retain the original under any circumstance.

HOW TO APPLY FOR A NEW BIRTH CERTIFICATE IF CURRENTLY RESIDING OUTSIDE OF PUERTO RICO:

In Connecticut, the Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission is assisting residents apply online and scan necessary documents or make referrals to other organizations, including State Farm agents who have been trained to help, and members of the Connecticut Hispanic Bar Association. To schedule an appointment, call the commission at 860-240-8330.

Ordering a birth certificate through VitalChek, a private company offering this service, will take five to fourteen business days, depending on the method used. Ordering through the Puerto Rican government now takes at least several months. VitalChek can be contacted at http://www.vitalchek.com or at 866-842-6765, a 24-hour, bilingual call center service is available.

Citizens born in Puerto Rico but residing elsewhere may obtain a new
birth certificate by filling out a Birth Certificate Application form from the Puerto Rico Vital Statistics Record office on or after July 1, 2010. Application forms can be obtained at: http://www.salud.gov.pr/Programas/
RegistroDemografico/
Pages/RequisitosparasolicituddeNacimiento.aspx; or call (787) 767-9120, The Puerto Rico Vital Statistics Record Office for additional information.

Once an applicant completes and signs the form, they should follow these steps

1. Applicants residing outside of Puerto Rico may mail the completed application to the following address:
   
   Puerto Rico Vital Statistics Record Office
   (Registro Demografico)
   P.O. Box 11854
   San Juan, PR 00910
   
   
2. Include a photocopy of a valid government issued photo identification document (A passport or drivers license may be used; all other forms of government issued photo ID will be subject to approval.
3. Include a $5.00 Money Order payable to the Secretary of the Treasury of Puerto Rico (If multiple copies are requested with one application, all additional copies after the first will cost $4. Fees will be waived for all veterans and persons over the age of 60.)
4. Include a self-addressed envelope with paid postage.

To send applications, through premium mail services (FedEx, Express Mail, Registered Mail, UPS) correspondences should be directed to the following street address:

Puerto Rico Vital Statistics Record Office
(Registro Demografico)
171 Quisqueya Street
Hato Rey, PR 00917

DOES EVERYONE NEED TO GET A COPY OF THE NEW BIRTH CERTIFICATE BY SEPTEMBER 30, 2010?

The government of Puerto Rico recommends that only persons who have a specific need for their birth certificate for official purposes, (such as a passport application) request a new birth certificate. Individuals who want to obtain a copy of the new birth certificates for their records are encouraged to do so at a later date to prevent an unnecessary rush for requests. This will ensure that those persons who have a specific need for the birth certificates are able to obtain them in a timely fashion.

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SOURCE: Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration, Puerto Rico Birth Certificates
Law 191 of 2009 Fact Sheet; Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration (PRFAA): http://www.salud.gov.pr/Programas/RegistroDemografico/Pages/
InformacionsobreCertificadosdeNacimientos.aspx
PREPARED BY: 211/tb
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: September2010