Born in Puerto Rico? New York City Civil Courts Require Birth Certificates issued on or after July 1, 2010 to process a name change application. Puerto Rican Birth Certificates issued before July 1, 2010 are invalid. The Puerto Rican government took measures in December of 2009 to end the black market for Puerto Rican birth certificates which were used to fraudulently obtain immigration and entitlement benefits.
On December 22, 2009, the Governor of Puerto Rico signed into law S.B. No. 1182, Law No. 191 of 2009. The legislation amended Puerto Rico law with respect to the issuance and validity of birth certificates. Section 6 provided, in general, that all certified copies of birth certificates issued before July 1, 2010 would become invalid either within 15 days of issuance or on July 1, 2010, whichever date was later. Under the new 2010 law, Puerto Rico will begin issuing more secure birth certificates on July 1, 2010.
Christopher Tompkins
Attorney At Law
225 Broadway, Suite 700
New York, NY 10007
212 962-5363
Christopher Tompkins has been practicing New York Name Change Law for 20 years. Visit his website.
