 |
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 4, 2010 |
|
Union County Clerk Offers Information about Birth Certificates |
|
|
|
ELIZABETH, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi is offering information to native Puerto Ricans living in Union County who will need to obtain new birth certificates this summer. “A new Puerto Rican law,” Ms. Rajoppi said, “which invalidates all previously issued Puerto Rican birth certificates as of July 1st can leave many of our citizens at risk for travel, school enrollment, new passports and other activities.” “According to the State Department, an adult Puerto Rican who wants to renew a passport does not need a new birth certificate,” Ms. Rajoppi added. “But for a child’s passport renewal, or for a first-time passport for any native Puerto Rican, a new birth certificate issued after July 1, 2010, will be required.” Clerk Rajoppi urges native Puerto Ricans, who are U.S. citizens at birth, to contact the Department of Health, Demographic Registry, P.O. Box 11854, Fernandez Juncos Station, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00910, or telephone 787-767-9120. Information also is available at www.vitalrec.com/pr.html#state. The law to invalidate previously issued birth certificates was enacted in December. Puerto Rico passed the legislation to combat identity theft. Raids last year uncovered a criminal ring that stole thousands of birth certificates and other identifying documents. For further information about passport applications and other services of the Union County Clerk’s office, please call 908-527-4966. |
|
|
|