Lee la versión en españolIf you were born in Puerto Rico (P.R.) and you’re feeling a bit confused about the new birth certificate law, know one thing: there’s no need to rush to get your birth certificate come July 1st.
According to information I found on the P.R. Department of Health website, the government of Puerto Rico recommends that only people who have a specific need for their birth certificate such as a new passport application request a new one on July 1st. If you just want a new birth certificate for your records, it’s suggested that you wait, that way those people who really need one can get it right away. How long will it take to get a new birth certificate? That I don’t know. I couldn’t find the answer to that question anywhere.
So why was this new law enacted? The issue seems to be that many transactions in P.R. required the submission, retention and storage of birth certificates. Often times, these certificates were not stored properly and were easy targets for theft. Apparently, in recent years around 40% of the U.S. passport fraud cases involved birth certificates of people born in P.R., which left them vulnerable to identity theft, ruined credit and stolen Social Security benefits.
What else do you need to know?
• On July 1st, 2010, the new law will make all birth certificated issued before that date (7/1/10) invalid.
• All new birth certificates will cost $5. Additional copies will cost $4.
• The new certificates won’t expire.
• Common transactions in P.R. will no longer require that you submit multiple original copies of your certificate.
• If you like me, were born in P.R. but are residing somewhere else, download an application and mail it. You’ll find all the details (such as where to mail it, information required, etc.) on the application.
Good luck! I will keep you posted on how my application process goes and how long it takes. Please do the same.