In the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, birth certificates serve as proof of U.S. citizenship. Just like in the majority of U.S. states, Puerto Ricans must order a birth certificate first to obtain one.
If you’re wondering what a Puerto Rico birth certificate looks like and how you can order it, you can dive into our post to find the information. Let’s check it out!
Puerto Rico Birth Certificate Overview
People who were born in Puerto Rico initially acquired U.S. citizenship at birth, but Puerto Rico’s new law invalidated all birth certificates issued before July 1, 2010, starting on October 30, 2010. So, a new birth certificate can be reissued more securely.
Instead, birth certificates are accepted as primary evidence of U.S. citizenship, as long as they are issued on or after 1st July 2010.
The passage of the new law is based on collaboration with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of State. This law is actually intended to address the fraudulent use of birth certificates.
Reportedly, birth certificates have been used illegally by individuals to obtain Social Security benefits, U.S. passports, and other federal services. Basically, the law is to combat fraud and protect the identity of every individual who was born in Puerto Rico.
It’s important to note that you can request a maximum of 3 copies of your birth certificate within a 12-month period, which will be calculated and accounted for from the first publication within a 12-month period.
What is Your Birth Certificate for in Puerto Rico?
In Puerto Rico, a copy of your birth certificate serves as a necessary document that is used for passports, travel, social security, proof of citizenship, school registration, a driver’s license, personal identification, and other legal purposes.
Who Can Request a Birth Certificate Application in Puerto Rico?
The individuals who can order a birth certificate in Puerto Rico are the registered ones, including:
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- Everyone who is eighteen (18) years of age or older.
- Their parents, as appointed on the birth certificate,.
- Their adult children, who live in Puerto Rico,.
- Adult children who are interested in applying but were not born in Puerto Rico. They should include a copy of their birth certificate from the state or country where they were born.
- The veterans who apply for their minor children.
How to Order a Birth Certificate in Puerto Rico
It’s pretty straightforward to order a birth certificate in Puerto Rico. You can take one of the following options to do so, including:
Method 1: Via Puerto Rico’s official government website
Either you’re 18 years of age or a veteran who may apply for their minors, the Puerto Rico government offers you to order a birth certificate online through its official website: https://gobiernodigital.pr.gov
Once you’re on the Puerto Rico government’s page, you’ll have to select one of the following options:
1. Application for a birth certificate
This option is a birth certificate application for everyone who is 18 years old, who is a parent, and who is their adult child. If you select this option, there are a few requirements you should meet, including:
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- Submit all the necessary documents.
- Complete mandatory requirements, such as a birth certificate form, a Puerto Rico government-issued ID that may contain your photo, its issued date and expiration date, as well as your signature—it could be your passport, driver’s license, or state ID.
- Additional requirements, such as a marriage certificate or a copy of your children’s birth certificate if they were not born in Puerto Rico.
2. Application for a birth certificate by a veteran
This option is a birth certificate application for everyone who is 18 years of age or older, or veterans who may apply for their minors. The requirements you should meet to apply for a veterans’ birth certificate are the same as the previous birth certificate application.
Once you have completed the application requirements, you can start to log into Puerto Rico’s official government website to start making transactions.
If you don’t have an account yet, you may have to create one first by clicking “create an account.” The following is information you should fill out:
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- Your full name
- Your social security number
- Your email address and password
- Your contact information
- Your physical address
- Your postal address
Then, click “Register.”
If you’ve made your account, you can then login to order a birth certificate. And make sure to follow the on-screen instructions until you successfully complete the transaction.
Method 2: Through VitalChek
In addition to ordering a copy of your birth certificate via Puerto Rico’s official government website, you can also opt to obtain it through VitalChek. It is a reputable agency that works to facilitate people who want to order several vital records, including:
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- Birth certificate
- Death certificate
- Marriage certificate
- Divorce certificate
To process your request, VitalChek works with the Puerto Rico Department of Health to issue your birth certificate. So, they can provide a copy of your birth certificate on an expedited basis.
With VitalChek, you can order your birth certificate through the following method:
1. Online
To order your birth certificate online, you can go to the VitalChek website.
Once you’re at the homepage of VitalChek, you can click “Order Certificate” and select “Birth Certificate” from the drop-down menu.
On the following page, you must choose for whom you are ordering the birth certificate, either for you or another person. Make sure to select one option.
You’ll need to fill in your current legal name if you order your own birth certificate or another’s name as it appears on their birth certificate.
Then, select the state where you were born. In this case, of course, Puerto Rico. Click “Continue.”
The next page allows you to select the city where you were born.
After that, enter your birthdate.
On the following page, you need to select what you ordered your birth certificate for.
Sure, you can check all of the reasons from the drop-down menu.
You can then see your order summary and tick for agreements to continue.
Make sure to review your order before making a transaction on VitalChek.
VitalChek will require you to provide your personal information to process your order.
Well, you should follow the on-screen instructions to make a payment, and your order will be successfully processed.
2. By phone
If you prefer to order your birth certificate by phone, you can make a call to VitalChek customer support at (866) 842-6765. Their assistance will be available 24/7. When ordering it by phone, you’ll have to pay an express processing fee and shipping costs.
Okay, those are the two methods you can use to order a birth certificate in Puerto Rico.
Can You Check the Status of Your Birth Certificate Order?
Yes, of course.
If you made an order through Puerto Rico’s official government website, you can check the status of your birth certificate on it. In addition, your application status will be notified via email. So, it’s best for you to regularly check your email.
After you’ve successfully placed a birth certificate order via VitalChek, you can check your order status by either visiting the VitalChek website or making a phone call to VitalChek personal assistants at (866) 842-6765.
How Much Does It Cost to Order a Birth Certificate in Puerto Rico?
When it comes to the fees for a birth certificate, it can depend on the type of certificate you’ll order, as follows:
Original birth certificate
- For the first copy, you must pay $5.00.
- For a second copy, you must pay $10.00.
- For a third copy, you must pay $10.00.
For seniors over 60 years old living in Puerto Rico
- For the first copy, you can get it for free.
- For a second copy, you must pay $10.00.
- For a third copy, you must pay $10.00.
For individuals over 60 years of age who are non-residents of Puerto Rico
- For the first copy, you should pay $5.00.
- For a second copy, you should pay $10.00.
- For a third copy, you should pay $10.00.
You can make a payment by using a Visa or Mastercard credit card, which are only accepted in the United States.
When Will You Receive a Puerto Rico Birth Certificate?
The Puerto Rico government will send your birth certificate by regular mail from the Postal Service to the address that you provided when placing the order. Make sure to re-check your postal address to prevent delivery to the wrong address.
Usually, you’ll receive your birth certificate within 30 days, plus shipping time, once you’ve placed your order.
What If You Order a New Birth Certificate with Incorrect Information?
Don’t worry! You can mail your application back to the Puerto Rico Vital Statistics Record Office if you have placed a new birth certificate order that contains incorrect information.
Keep in mind that you need to send your application along with the order receipt that you’ve received with the birth certificate. It can indicate what things should be corrected on the receipt.
Luckily, there’s no cost to you to obtain this modified copy.
A bookworm and researcher especially related to law and citizenship education. I spend time every day in front of the internet and the campus library.
