How to Obtain a Death Certificate in Puerto Rico

Co-authored by Clinton M. Sandvick, JD, PhD

Last Updated: June 9, 2021

If you need a death certificate for someone who died in Puerto Rico, then you can order it in one of several ways. You can submit a paper application, order online, or order by phone. Death certificates cost around $12.00. Requests will take 2-3 business days to process.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Ordering through the Mail

1
Check if you can order. In order to get a copy of the death certificate, you must be direct kin to the deceased. Puerto Rico law defines direct kin as parent, child, heir, or legal representative.
- To verify that you are kin (and thus qualified to get a copy of the death certificate), you should provide a copy of your own birth certificate.
- If you use a spouse’s surname, then you will need to provide a copy of your marriage license. The office will need to see this to verify your maiden name.
2
Contact the San Juan Registry. This central registry has maintained duplicate copies of vital records since 1931. To request a death certificate, you will need to download an application. You can print it out and then fill in the requested information.
- If you need a death certificate from before June 22, 1931, then you need to contact the local registrar of the municipality where the death occurred.^{[1]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
  Go to source} If you do not know the number or address, then call the central registry at (787) 765-2929 ext. 6131 and ask.
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3
Photocopy your ID. You will need to present a photocopy of a valid form of personal identification. Acceptable identification includes a valid (non-expired) state ID, driver’s license or passport. Be sure to photocopy both sides of the identification.
4
Get a money order. You cannot use a personal check to order the death certificate. Instead, you need a postal money order. Make the payment out to “Secretary of Treasury of Puerto Rico.”
- The cost is $12.00.
5
Mail the application. You should put the application, copy of personal identification, and payment into an envelope. Include a self-addressed stamp envelope as well. Make sure that you have clearly printed your address.
- Mail the packet to: Department of Health Demographic Registry, P.O. Box 11854, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00917.
- If you have questions or need help, then call (787) 765-2929 ext. 6131. You may also email regdem@salud.pr.gov.
6
Order through VitalChek. This company has an option for you to purchase your copy of the death certificate by completing a form and mailing it in. VitalChek is a good option for those who want to pay by credit card or personal check. VitalChek accepts both, whereas the Puerto Rican Department of Health only accepts money orders.
- A copy of the death certificate costs $14.00 plus additional shipping costs. Shipping rates vary. VitalChek offers only overnight mailing options, which range from $16.00 to $37.00.^{[2]
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  Research source}
- You can download the Mail-In Death Certificate Application from https://www.vitalchek.com/Fax-Phone/PR_Death_Application.pdf. Once completed, you can return it to VitalChek, P.O. Box 222130, El Paso, TX 79912. If you pay by credit card, you can fax it to 866-301-6208.^{[3]
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- You must submit the same identification documents (personal ID and birth certificate) as you would to the Puerto Rican Department of Health.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Ordering Online or by Phone

1
Order through the government website. If you do not want to fill out a paper application, then you can order directly through the government’s website. Visit the government’s website at www.pr.gov.
- Scroll down and click “Certificates” under “Online Services.”
- You can then select “Death certificate.” Click on the hyperlink. You will then be able to choose whether to proceed in English or Spanish.
- Note that you cannot order a death certificate online if it dates from before June 1, 1931. Instead, you must contact the local registrar where the death occurred and work with them to get a copy of the death certificate.
2
Create an account. You need to create an account at the website. You can do this by clicking on the link “First time user? -> Create an Account.” You will create a username and password. To do so, enter the following information:
- email address
- a password
- a security question and answer
- your name (first, middle, and last)
3
Log in and provide relevant information. You must fill out all of the relevant fields. Have at hand the deceased person’s full name, including mother’s last name, as well as the date of death and place of death.
4
Scan your form of identification. If you order online, you must still provide a digital copy of your identification and birth certificate. You will need to convert the documents into PDF, JPEG, or JPG format. The file cannot be larger than 1 MB.
- For information on how to create digital scans of documents, see Scan Documents.
5
Pay. You can pay online by using a valid Visa or MasterCard. In order to be valid, the card must be accepted in the United States.
6
Wait for the death certificate. The department will process requests in about 3-5 business days. The certificate will be sent regular mail (5-7 business days). The cost to mail is $2.00.
7
Order on VitalChek. If you do not want to use the Puerto Rican government’s website, then you can also purchase a copy of a death certificate by using the website vitalchek.com.
- Once at the website, you will need to select “Death Certificate” from the left-hand column. Then “start your order.”
- From the map, you can then click on Puerto Rico and click “Continue.”
- You will then be asked a series of questions: where the death occurred, the date of death, and the reason for the certificate.
- The cost for one copy (including the processing fee) is $17.00.^{[4]
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8
Call VitalChek. You can also call VitalChek’s bilingual phone processing center. It is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call (800) 858-5553 or (800) 255-2414.
- You can pay using a major credit card. The cost is $12.00 per copy.
- If you choose to have the certificate shipped by regular mail (5-7 business days), then you will need to pay an additional $2.00 for shipping. Express mail (2-3 business days) will cost an additional $23.00.