How to Obtain a Puerto Rican Birth Certificate

It used to be that you were required to provide your birth certificate to complete many transactions in Puerto Rico. These original certificates were stored without proper security, which made them a target for identity thieves. In 2010, a new law went into effect in Puerto Rico which rendered all Puerto Rican birth certificates issued prior to July 1, 2010 invalid. If you were born in Puerto Rico before that date, you need to get one of the new, more secure, birth certificates. The Puerto Rican government has made several methods available for you to do this cheaply and easily.[1]

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Using VitalChek

  1. Image titled Obtain a Puerto Rican Birth Certificate Step 1
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    Visit the VitalChek website. The Puerto Rican government partnered with VitalChek to offer a reliable method to expedite the delivery of your birth certificate. Ordering through VitalChek is the quickest way to get your birth certificate.[2]
  2. Image titled Obtain a Puerto Rican Birth Certificate Step 2
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    Order your birth certificate. Once you click the blue button to start your order, the website will go through a series of questions to place your order. To start, you must state whether you're requesting your own birth certificate or someone else's.[3]
    • Generally, you can only order a copy of your own birth certificate. Parents or legal guardians can order copies of their childrens' birth certificates.[4]
  3. Image titled Obtain a Puerto Rican Birth Certificate Step 3
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    Submit your order with payment. VitalChek charges a $12 processing fee, plus shipping and handling. Delivery is guaranteed within 12 to 14 business days. You can choose expedited delivery to get your birth certificate sooner, for an additional fee.[5]
    • VitalChek accepts Visa or MasterCard credit and debit, as well as American Express and Discover.[6]
    • VitalChek will send you a receipt of your order. Save it for your records. When your birth certificate is shipped, you will receive notification which may include a tracking number.
  4. Image titled Obtain a Puerto Rican Birth Certificate Step 4
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    Call VitalChek if you don't have internet access. You can still use VitalChek even if you can't get online or don't trust online transactions. VitalChek has a bilingual call center with operators standing by 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.[7]
    • The number for the VitalChek call center is 866-842-6765. Have a credit or debit card ready to pay your fees.
Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Applying on the E-Government Website

  1. Image titled Obtain a Puerto Rican Birth Certificate Step 5
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    Create a free account. Before you can use the Puerto Rican government's online services, you must set up an account with a valid email address. The account gives you access to many documents and services offered by the government, and also allows you to check the status of any orders or requests you've made.
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    Scan your government-issued photo ID. To submit an online request for your birth certificate, you must also submit a copy of your government-issued photo ID. This could be your driver's license, passport, or military ID. Scan both sides of the original document, and make sure the scan is clear and legible.
    • If you don't have access to a scanner, you won't be able to request a copy of your birth certificate using the e-government website.
  3. Image titled Obtain a Puerto Rican Birth Certificate Step 7
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    Complete your application. The e-government application asks for your name, date of birth, and place of birth, as well as the name of your mother and father as listed on your birth certificate.
    • If some of this information is unknown to you, provide as much as you can. Registrant office staff may not be able to locate your birth certificate if the information is incomplete.
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    Pay the required fees. When ordering through the e-government website, you can pay for your birth certificate using Visa or MasterCard. Your card must be one that is accepted in the United States, and must be connected to a billing address with a U.S. zip code.
    • In addition to the fees for your certificates, you must also pay $2 per copy requested for handling.
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    Follow up on the status of your request. You will receive an email when your request is received by the registrant's office. You can log into your account at any time to find out if it's been processed or when it was mailed.
    • Certificates ordered through the e-government website typically arrive within 5 to 10 business days.
Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Requesting through the Mail

  1. Image titled Obtain a Puerto Rican Birth Certificate Step 10
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    Download a copy of the mail-in application. If you prefer to mail in a paper application for a copy of your birth certificate, you can download the application from the Puerto Rican government's website.
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    Make a copy of your government-issued photo ID. Your application must be accompanied by a photocopy of the front and back of your official identification, such as your driver's license, passport, or military ID.[8]
    • Make sure the image on your copy is clear and legible, or your application may be refused.
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    Mail your application with fee. There is a $5 fee for a copy of your birth certificate. If you're requesting the copy through the mail, you may only pay with a U.S. money order. Include a self-addressed, postage-paid envelope for your birth certificate to be mailed to you.[9]
    • If you're using regular mail, send your application to Puerto Rico Vital Statistics Record Office (Registro Demográfico), P.O. Box 11854, San Juan, PR 00910.
    • If you want to use a premium service, such as FedEx or UPS, send your application to Puerto Rico Vital Statistics Record Office (Registro Demográfico),171 Quisqueya Street, Hato Rey, PR 00917.
    • You can only request a copy of your birth certificate through the mail if you live in a U.S. state or in the District of Columbia.[10]
Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Requesting Your Certificate in Person

  1. Image titled Obtain a Puerto Rican Birth Certificate Step 13
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    Contact your local registrant office. If you live in Puerto Rico, you can also request a copy of your birth certificate by visiting the registrant's office nearest you. The central office is in San Juan, but there are branch offices throughout Puerto Rico.[11]
    • There is a directory of offices available at http://welcome.topuertorico.org/reference/demogra.shtml.
    • It's a good idea to call your local office before you go to find out when they're open, what methods of payment they accept, and any other information about their procedures that you might need to know.
    • If you need a copy of your Puerto Rican birth certificate for inheritance or other court proceedings, you are legally required to go to the registrant's office in person to request a copy.
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    Complete your application. At the registrant's office, you will be given a paper form to fill out, similar to the form that you would complete if you were mailing in your application. The form asks for your name as it appears on your birth certificate, along with your place of birth, date of birth, and parents' names.[12]
    • Write carefully and legibly. If your last name differs from the last name on your birth certificate, bring a wedding certificate in case you're asked about this.
  3. Image titled Obtain a Puerto Rican Birth Certificate Step 15
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    Provide proof of your identity. Staff at the registrant's office will review your application and verify your identify by examining your government-issued photo ID. If you're requesting your birth certificate in person, bring originals, not copies.[13]
    • Generally you'll use your passport or your driver's license. Some offices may also accept other types of government-issued photo IDs, such as military IDs.
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    Pay the required fees. If you're ordering a single copy of your birth certificate, you'll pay $5. Additional copies are $10 each. Total the amount you'll need before you go, and get a money order or Puerto Rican internal revenue stamp for the exact amount.[14]
    • Some offices may accept other methods of payment. You can ask when you call ahead.
  5. Image titled Obtain a Puerto Rican Birth Certificate Step 17
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    Receive your birth certificate in the mail. Even though you request your birth certificate in person, you typically won't be able to get your copy while you wait. The office will process your request and mail your birth certificate to the address you provided.[15]
    • Typically you'll receive your birth certificate within a week. If you need a copy of your birth certificate for a legal transaction, plan accordingly so you have it when you need it.

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References

  1. ↑ http://www2.pr.gov/prgoven/pages/birthcertifcateinfo.aspx
  2. ↑ http://www2.pr.gov/prgoven/pages/birthcertifcateinfo.aspx
  3. ↑ https://www.vitalchek.com/order_main.aspx?ProviderID=33898&state=pr&eventtype=birth
  4. ↑ http://www2.pr.gov/prgoven/pages/birthcertifcateinfo.aspx
  5. ↑ http://welcome.topuertorico.org/reference/demogra.shtml
  6. ↑ https://vitalchek-solutions.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3148/kw/methods%20of%20payment
  7. ↑ http://www2.pr.gov/prgoven/pages/birthcertifcateinfo.aspx
  8. ↑ http://welcome.topuertorico.org/reference/demogra.shtml
  9. ↑ http://www2.pr.gov/prgoven/pages/birthcertifcateinfo.aspx
  1. ↑ http://www2.pr.gov/prgoven/pages/birthcertifcateinfo.aspx
  2. ↑ http://welcome.topuertorico.org/reference/demogra.shtml
  3. ↑ http://welcome.topuertorico.org/reference/demogra.shtml
  4. ↑ http://welcome.topuertorico.org/reference/demogra.shtml
  5. ↑ http://welcome.topuertorico.org/reference/demogra.shtml
  6. ↑ http://welcome.topuertorico.org/reference/demogra.shtml
  7. ↑ https://www.vitalchek.com/birth-certificates/puerto-rico/puerto-rico-department-of-health

About this article

Jennifer Mueller, JD
Written by:
Jennifer Mueller, JD
Doctor of Law, Indiana University
This article was written by Jennifer Mueller, JD. Jennifer Mueller is an in-house legal expert at wikiHow. Jennifer reviews, fact-checks, and evaluates wikiHow's legal content to ensure thoroughness and accuracy. She received her JD from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 2006. This article has been viewed 18,472 times.
121 votes - 60%
Co-authors: 4
Updated: January 21, 2022
Views: 18,472