Important update: The government of Puerto Rico has extended the validity of expiring Puerto Rico birth certificates through October 20, 2010 to provide a transition period as the Island continues issuing new certificates that became available July 1, 2010.

After October 30, 2010, all Puerto Rican birth certificates issued prior to July 1, 2010, will become invalid. Those with birth certificates issued before July 1, 2010 are advised to order a new birth certificate as soon as possible. The Vital Statistics Office of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico began issuing new, more secure certified copies of birth certificates to U.S. citizens born in Puerto Rico after a new Puerto Rican law was enacted, aimed at combating identity fraud and to address the fraudulent use of Puerto Rico-issued birth certificates to unlawfully obtain federal services.

The new birth certificates can be ordered online at www.vitalchek.com or by phone through VitalChek’s 24/7 bilingual call center at (866) 842-6765.  In addition, the Government launched an on-line application process through the E-Government website – www.pr.gov- to provide convenience and ease-of-use for those applying for the new certificate.

For more instructions for how to apply please visit: www.prfaa.com/birthcertificates/ and www.prfaa.com/certificadosdenacimiento/.