Three Month Extension of Current Puerto Rico Birth Certificates Enacted to Provide Transition to New, More Secure Documents
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
Hon. Luis G. Fortuño, Governor
Nicole Guillemard, Executive Director, PRFAA
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Government of Puerto Rico has approved an amendment that extends the validity of current Puerto Rico birth certificates for three months, through Sept. 30, 2010, to provide a transition period as the Island gears up to begin issuing new, more secure certificates starting July 1, 2010, announced Nicole Guillemard, executive director of the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration (PRFAA). The purpose of the extension is to provide those Puerto Rico-born -- who may need a birth certificate for an upcoming transaction -- a three-month window to apply for and receive the new document during which time their current birth certificate will still be valid, Guillemard explained.
"Puerto Rico is issuing new birth certificates starting July 1 to combat fraud and protect the identity and credit of all people born on the Island. Our goal with the three-month extension is to provide a smooth transition, especially to assist Puerto Ricans born in the Island who currently reside stateside, as they apply for the new, more secure birth certificates," Guillemard said. Guillemard said PRFAA has been working with federal, state and community partners to provide information about Puerto Rico's birth certificate law.
The Government of Puerto Rico has taken a number of steps to be ready for those applying for the new certificates, she said. Earlier this year, PRFAA launched an information outreach campaign aimed at states with large Puerto Rican populations. In May, 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.
In addition, Puerto Rico's Demographic Registry recently hired 47 temporary workers to join the agency's personnel to work on new birth certificate applications, and the agency is extending work week hours, and adding Saturday hours, to speed processing of applications. Last year, Puerto Rico enacted the new law which calls for issuing new, security-enhanced certificates beginning July 1, 2010 to address the unlawful use of Puerto Rico-issued birth certificates to commit identity theft and fraud. The law was based on collaborations with the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and addresses a concern specific to Puerto Rico, where in the past, many common official and unofficial transactions unnecessarily required the submission, retention, and storage of birth certificates.
As a result, hundreds of thousands of original birth certificates were stored without adequate protection, making them easy targets for theft. This left Puerto Rico-born citizens vulnerable to identity theft, ruined credit, stolen Social Security benefits, and increased "random" security checks at airports, among others. In addition to issuing new birth certificates, the new law expressly prohibits any public or private entity in Puerto Rico from retaining an original birth certificate to end this practice.
Guillemard underscored that only those who need a birth certificate for a transaction or official purpose need apply right away. Those who want to obtain a copy for their records can do so at a later date to avoid an unnecessary rush of applications. Instructions on how to apply, as well as information on Puerto Rico's birth certificate law, can be found at: www.prfaa.com/birthcertificates/ and www.prfaa.com/certificadosdenacimiento/.
The new birth certificates will be issued through the Puerto Rico Health Department's Vital Statistics office.
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Tito Puente Jr. visits the PRCSC booth before his concert with the Charlotte Symphony, Saturday, June 26th at Symphony Park. Tito Jr. took pictures and signed autographs for his fans. It was a wonderful evening of great music by great performers.
More pictures at the Gallery Page
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The Link 107.9 FM, recognizes PRCSC President, Maggie Giraud as a Leading Lady of the Week. The Link 107.9 FM recognizes woman that are leaders in the community and that are making a positive impact. Maggie was interviewed by Ramona Hathoway from the Matt and Ramona Show. One Leading Lady will be selected to receive $5,000 for their charity at the Annual Leading Ladies Banquet.
Congratulations Maggie!!
(Taken fron The Link 107.9 FM web page)
Link Leading Lady: Maggie Giraud
June 18, 2010
Maggie is the President and Founder of the "Puerto Rican Cultural Society of Charlotte." She works diligently to ensure that the culture remains alive by providing information, cultural enrichment, and sharing her great passion!
More importantly, Maggie is always thinking of new ways to help out the community, not only the Puerto Rican community, but the community in general.
To hear Maggie's full interview click here.
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More Puerto Ricans in the United States then in the Island...
According to the statistics from the Censsus, ordered by the Hispanic Pew Center, there are 4.15 million Puerto Ricans living in the United States, about 200,000 more then the total population of the Island. See the full article under our Español tab.
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New Birth Certificate Requirements for Puerto Rico born residents
Secretary of State Kenneth McClintock, Acting Health Department Secretary Concepción Quiñones de Longo, and Population Registry Director, Wanda Llovet, announced Friday that starting July 1, all Puerto Ricans born on the island must have new birth certificates. The new law, which was signed by Gov. Fortuño on Dec. 22, has the aim of preventing identify theft, McClintock said in a press conference. The Secretary of State said that "Law 191 of 2009, signed last Dec. 22 and as explained by the governor in a press conference at that time, responds to the crisis of identify fraud created by the old practice in Puerto Rico of seeking, retaining, and archiving orginal birth certificates for a multitude of events in the lives of Puerto Ricans."
"As a result of this ancient practice, there are hundreds of thousands of archived original birth certificates without any protection, in all manner of public and private places, from archives without keys or protection in the registration of an elementary school, even a cardboard box where a Little League coach saved his files for 30 years," McClintock said. He noted that 40 percent of all indentity theft cases involving birth certificates in the United States, originate from Puerto Rico. "As a result, the procedures for issuing passports, licenses and other documents when submitting a birth certificate takes long (in Puerto Rico) than with birth certificates from other jurisdictions. This old practice has turned our schools and other institutions into targets for thieves who seek to sell stolen certificates for between $5,000 and $10,000 each on the black market, " he said under the new law the retention and archiving of birth certificates is now prohibited. As of July 1, every Puerto Rican born on the island needs to obtain new birth certificates, which will have an indefinite validity period.
Source: El Nuevo Dia Newspaper www.endi.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PRCSC and The Dominican Club unite for Haiti
Volunteers from the Dominican Club, PRCSC, Providence High School, Radio Lider weathered the rain and cold for three days to collect donations of clothing, food, shoes, medical supplies and money for Haiti. An 32 Ft truck was filled to capacity with boxes filled with donations that were turned over to representatives of Haitian Heritage and Friends of Haiti. Thanks to the staff of Radio Lider 1030 AM for their live broadcast for the three days. Special thanks to Compare Foods (Milton Rd), Punta Cana Restaurant and Clinica Betesda that provided the location and made donations of water, medical supplies and hot coffee for the volunteers.