Important Update in Puerto Rican Birth Certificates
As of (July 1, 2010) the US territory of Puerto Rico has been issuing a modernized version of their birth certificates to aid in the prevention of fraud and identity theft.
All US Citizens born in Puerto Rico must obtain this new version of the birth certificate, because the old version which they have in their position has become invalid as of (September 30, 2010).
The new law (Law 191 of 2009, amended June 2010) was based on collaboration with the U.
S.
Department of State (DOS) and the U.
S.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to address the fraudulent use of Puerto Rico-issued certificates to unlawfully obtain U.
S.
passports, Social Security benefits, and other federal services.
For those who don't have this updated version of their birth certificate, and are petitioning an application with US Immigration, not to worry! If you submit to support a petition or an application to US immigration, US immigration will give you the opportunity to submit a new, valid birth certificate.
Notice, this law only invalidates the outdated birth certificate.
It does not change anyone's citizenship status.
How much will the new certificates cost? All new certificates will cost $5.
The fees will be waived for all veterans and people over the age of 60.
How do I get the new version of the certificate? You can order one either online or through mail.
The government of Puerto Rico has partnered with VITACHEK to provide a convenient and easy way to order your new birth certificate.
New birth certificates can be ordered online at www.
vitalchek.
com or by phone at (866-842-6765) Note regardingU.
S.
Passports: Those individuals who currently have a U.
S.
passport will not be affected.
For those applying for a passport for the first time, go to the U.
S.
State Department website for application details.
How to apply by mail: The application form can be downloaded at the Puerto Rican Health Department Website.
Once an applicant completes and signs the form, they should follow these steps: 1) Applicants 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 driver's license may be used; all other forms of government issued photo I.
D.
will be subject to approval.
3) Include a $5.
00 Money Order payable to the Secretary of the Treasury of Puerto Rico.
4) Include a self-addressed envelope with paid postage.
To send applications through premium mail services (such as: FedEx, Express Mail, Registered Mail, UPS, etc.
), correspondence should be directed to: Puerto Rico Vital Statistics Record Office (Registro Demografico) 171 Quisqueya Street Hato Rey, PR 00917
All US Citizens born in Puerto Rico must obtain this new version of the birth certificate, because the old version which they have in their position has become invalid as of (September 30, 2010).
The new law (Law 191 of 2009, amended June 2010) was based on collaboration with the U.
S.
Department of State (DOS) and the U.
S.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to address the fraudulent use of Puerto Rico-issued certificates to unlawfully obtain U.
S.
passports, Social Security benefits, and other federal services.
For those who don't have this updated version of their birth certificate, and are petitioning an application with US Immigration, not to worry! If you submit to support a petition or an application to US immigration, US immigration will give you the opportunity to submit a new, valid birth certificate.
Notice, this law only invalidates the outdated birth certificate.
It does not change anyone's citizenship status.
How much will the new certificates cost? All new certificates will cost $5.
The fees will be waived for all veterans and people over the age of 60.
How do I get the new version of the certificate? You can order one either online or through mail.
The government of Puerto Rico has partnered with VITACHEK to provide a convenient and easy way to order your new birth certificate.
New birth certificates can be ordered online at www.
vitalchek.
com or by phone at (866-842-6765) Note regardingU.
S.
Passports: Those individuals who currently have a U.
S.
passport will not be affected.
For those applying for a passport for the first time, go to the U.
S.
State Department website for application details.
How to apply by mail: The application form can be downloaded at the Puerto Rican Health Department Website.
Once an applicant completes and signs the form, they should follow these steps: 1) Applicants 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 driver's license may be used; all other forms of government issued photo I.
D.
will be subject to approval.
3) Include a $5.
00 Money Order payable to the Secretary of the Treasury of Puerto Rico.
4) Include a self-addressed envelope with paid postage.
To send applications through premium mail services (such as: FedEx, Express Mail, Registered Mail, UPS, etc.
), correspondence should be directed to: Puerto Rico Vital Statistics Record Office (Registro Demografico) 171 Quisqueya Street Hato Rey, PR 00917
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