Born in Puerto Rico? You Will Need a New Birth Certificate!
by Megan L. Sprecher, Esq.

(Plain Press, June 2010) In December 2009, the Puerto Rican government decided that new, more secure birth certificates are needed because of the high amount of fraud and identity theft. All Puerto Rican birth certificates will become invalid or void on July 1, 2010. Puerto Rico will begin issuing the new birth certificates on July 1, 2010.

It is important to have a valid birth certificate. You will need a valid birth certificate in many situations, including: registering for school; applying for public benefits; applying for a U.S. passport; applying for a drivers license or state ID; and any situation where you need to prove your U.S. citizenship.

For instance, if a family tries to enroll their 5-year-old son in kindergarten for the 2010-2011 school year, it would be necessary to show the child's birth certificate in order to register him. But, because their son was born in Puerto Rico, his birth certificate became invalid on July 1, 2010. The school district will not accept the invalid birth certificate and the child's school enrollment would be delayed while the family waits for his new birth certificate to arrive from Puerto Rico.

Or, a senior citizen applies for food stamps for the first time. One of the requirements to qualify is proof of U.S. citizenship. The senior citizen’s application will be denied if he/she presents an old Puerto Rican birth certificate as proof of citizenship after July 1, 2010.

How do I apply for a new birth certificate from outside of Puerto Rico?

On or after July 1, 2010 you may apply for a new birth certificate by mail. You will need to send the following documents: completed and signed Birth Certificate Application form, available at http://www.salud.gov.pr, Spanish American Committee (El Comité Hispano), and Legal Aid; a copy of a valid government-issued photo ID (including U.S. passport, drivers license, state ID); $5.00 Money Order payable to the Secretary of the Treasury of Puerto Rico (not required for veterans or people over age 60); and a self-addressed stamped envelope.

It is important to keep a copy of your application and send it by certified mail if possible. Send your application to: Puerto Rico Vital Statistics Record Office (Registro Demográfico), P.O. Box 11854, San Juan, PR 00910

What should I do if my application is rejected?

You may call the Legal Aid Society for help at 888-817-3777.

Megan L. Sprecher, Esq. is a Staff Attorney at The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland

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