Re-Issuance of Puerto Rico Birth Certificates

Summary of Puerto Rico’s Birth Certificate Law

Law 191, adopted in Puerto Rico in December of 2009, and updated in January of 2010, is aimed at strengthening the issuance and usage of birth certificates to combat fraud and protect the identity and credit of all persons born in Puerto Rico.

The law establishes that no public or private entity within the jurisdiction of Puerto Rico may retain an original copy of a Puerto Rico-issued birth certificate. Local agencies in Puerto Rico, as well as private employers, may request to inspect birth certificates and even can copy them, but cannot retain the original under any circumstance.

Puerto Rico’s Vital Statistics Office now uses state-of-the-art technology to limit document forgery.

How to Apply for a New Birth Certificate if Currently Residing Outside of Puerto Rico:

APPLY VIA VITALCHEK.COM

ORDER ONLINE:

VitalChek.com Express Service – Order online through VitalChek, express certification service, approved by the Department of Health, Vital Statistics and Vital Statistics Program. Most major credit cards are accepted for making payments. You can choose between regular service or express service via UPS, as shipping options.

Payments – Most credit cards are accepted. Do not send Cash or Checks.
Express Service: (2 – 3 business days).
Total Processing Time: Approximately 3-5 business days + shipping time.

You can access vitalchek.com through the following link: vitalchek.com

ORDER BY PHONE:

VitalChek has a bilingual call center to receive and process requests via phone call. Most major credit cards are accepted. To order, please call:

FREE: 800-255-2414

Payments – Most credit cards are accepted.
Regular Service: (5 – 7 business days)
Express Service: (2 – 3 business days)

Total Processing Time: Approximately 3-5 business days + shipping time.

To send applications, through premium mail services (FedEx, Express Mail, Registered Mail, UPS) correspondences should be directed to the following street address:
Puerto Rico Vital Statistics Record Office
(Registro Demografico)
171 Quisqueya Street
Hato Rey, PR 00917

————————
SOURCE: Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration, Puerto Rico Birth Certificates Law; Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration (PRFAA)
PREPARED BY: 211/tb
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: September2023