Public Employee Press

Puerto Rico offers new birth certificates to combat increasing identity theft and fraud

Identity theft and identity fraud are two of the fastest growing crimes in the United States.

Some 40 percent of passport fraud cases investigated by the State Dept. in recent years involved birth certificates stored for years without adequate protection and stolen from people born in Puerto Rico.

The Puerto Rican birth certificates are particularly attractive for Spanish-speaking people in Latin America, who use the stolen documents to get U.S. passports, Social Security and other federal benefits.

To combat the growing problem, the Puerto Rican government enacted Law 191, which invalidates all birth certificates issued in Puerto Rico before July 1, 2010, so that new, more secure certificates can be issued.

The government of Puerto Rico is trying to avoid a rush of applications.

Only people who need a new birth certificate quickly to apply for a passport or other emergency or official need should apply right away. Others should wait at least 30 days.

People can apply for new birth certificates online or by mail. To download an application in English or Spanish, visit the Puerto Rican government Web site at www.pr.gov.

The $5 application fee will be waived for people over 60 and veterans. Applicants will get a receipt of payment and information on how to check the status of their application.

The new birth certificates will be processed as applications are received, starting July 1.