Important Update in Puerto Rican Birth Certificates

As of (July 1, 2010) the US territory of Puerto Rico has been issuing a modernized version of their birth certificates to aid in the prevention of fraud and identity theft. All US Citizens born in Puerto Rico must obtain this new version of the birth certificate, because the old version which they have in their position has become invalid as of (September 30, 2010).

The new law (Law 191 of 2009, amended June 2010) was based on collaboration with the U.S. Department of State (DOS) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to address the fraudulent use of Puerto Rico-issued certificates to unlawfully obtain U.S. passports, Social Security benefits, and other federal services.

For those who don't have this updated version of their birth certificate, and are petitioning an application with US Immigration, not to worry!

If you submit to support a petition or an application to US immigration, US immigration will give you the opportunity to submit a new, valid birth certificate.

Notice, this law only invalidates the outdated birth certificate. It does not change anyone's citizenship status.

How much will the new certificates cost?

All new certificates will cost $5. The fees will be waived for all veterans and people over the age of 60.

How do I get the new version of the certificate?

You can order one either online or through mail.

The government of Puerto Rico has partnered with VITACHEK to provide a convenient and easy way to order your new birth certificate.

New birth certificates can be ordered online at www.vitalchek.com or by phone at (866-842-6765)

Note regarding U.S. Passports: Those individuals who currently have a U.S. passport will not be affected. For those applying for a passport for the first time, go to the U.S. State Department website for application details.

How to apply by mail:

The application form can be downloaded at the Puerto Rican Health Department Website.

Once an applicant completes and signs the form, they should follow these steps:

1) Applicants may mail the completed application to the following address:

Puerto Rico Vital Statistics Record Office

(Registro Demografico)

P.O. Box 11854

San Juan, PR 00910

2) Include a photocopy of a valid government issued photo identification document. A passport or driver's license may be used; all other forms of government issued photo I.D. will be subject to approval.

3) Include a $5.00 Money Order payable to the Secretary of the Treasury of Puerto Rico.

4) Include a self-addressed envelope with paid postage.

To send applications through premium mail services (such as: FedEx, Express Mail, Registered Mail, UPS, etc.), correspondence should be directed to:

Puerto Rico Vital Statistics Record Office

(Registro Demografico)

171 Quisqueya Street

Hato Rey, PR 00917

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The Importance of Birth Registration and Birth Certificates

Birth registration is essential to the prevention of statelessness. Being issued a birth certificate is the first step toward being recognized before the law. If the government fails to document a person's birth it could potentially prevent that person from enjoying a full range of human rights. For example, access to a public education, health care benefits or any form of government assistance might be denied.

Throughout life a person uses their certificate to prove age, parentage, and citizenship. Birth certificates are needed for entrance to school, voter's registration, driver's license, passports, welfare aid, and social security benefits among many other things.

In addition to facilitating identification, birth certificates provide a degree of protection from child labor, illegal adoption, and recruitment into armed forces. It is a proven fact that unregistered children are higher at risk to being trafficked and being treated as adults if ever in conflict with the law.

However the importance of registration goes beyond the individual. Without strong civil registration systems, it is virtually impossible to plan or implement effective government development strategies. Unregistered children who do not show up in the data are often overlooked in social development planning.

It is proven that birth registration is a fundamental step towards good governance and a vital element in the fostering a nation. Not only does the process of registration allow effective administration and bring children to the notice of decision-makers, it is the official and positive recognition of a new member of society, who is entitled to all the rights and responsibilities of a valued citizen.

Despite these facts, the value of birth registration as a fundamental human right continues to be overlooked by many nations. There is a continuing lack of awareness regarding registration. Some governments fail to notice that birth registration is the first step towards recognizing every person before the law. Also, it is a step towards safeguarding the protection of their individual rights, and ensuring that any violations of these rights do not go unnoticed.

The causes of this lack of awareness include lack of legislation or its weak enforcement. In addition, lack of coordination and cooperation between the different ministries and sectors that have a stake in birth registration.

Hopefully in the coming years their efforts will improve and positive results are reflected on their populations.

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Hiring a Birth Injury Lawyer to Set Wrongs Right

As a culture, we celebrate the delivery of a newborn baby as an occasion for monumental joy and celebration. Scratching beneath the surface, however, it's quickly realized that not all such occasions are a cause for joy. Sometimes things go wrong, even under the best of circumstances. In some cases, defects and problems occur even when the level of medical care provided is impeccable. In other cases, however, a mistake made by the doctors and nurses can be the direct cause of a serious problem. When that happens, it can be devastating. If you're the parent of a child who suffered due to malpractice, you may want to contact a birth injury lawyer and review your options.

Injuries

A birth injury lawyer is typically brought on board when a family wishes to sue a doctor, nurse, or medical center that caused a serious health problem through incompetence or negligence. Such an occurrence is rare, statistically speaking, with only approximately seven out of 1,000 babies being subject to such an occurrence. Still, considering how many babies are delivered every day in America, this still represents a significant number. The frustrating part of such occurrences is that they are often preventable. In some cases, the injuries sustained can be severe, permanent, and even life threatening.

Malpractice

As someone seeking medical care, you have a right to expect that you will be dealing with competent, expert physicians and nurses who will not create problems. In most cases, this is exactly what you'll get. What separates great doctors from the pack should be impeccable bedside manner and accessibility, not competence. Unfortunately, not all health care providers are created equally when it comes to skill or even dedication. When you find yourself in the hands of someone who isn't skilled enough to handle medical emergencies, it could have immediate, damaging effects. When it results in long term, devastating problems for your child, you need to seek out the counsel of a birth injury lawyer.

Types

A birth injury lawyer will see all manner of cases come into his office. Some of the more common problems resulting from malpractice at the time of delivery can include cerebral palsy, Erb's palsy, brain bleeding, cellular death due to lack of oxygen, swelling in the brain, and more. Due to a moment's negligence, children can wind up with conditions they have to live with for the rest of their lives. Not only is this heartbreaking, it can be monstrously expensive. As a parent, you have a duty and a right to get compensation.

A Dallas birth injury lawyer helps clients move beyond a terrible situation by helping them secure restitution and justice. For a firm thoroughly experienced with these matters, go to http://www.girardslaw.com/.

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Hire a Birth Injury Attorney - Did Something Go Wrong?

A birth injury attorney is more than just a lawyer who can help you to get compensation. He or she has the means to help you to determine if you have a case. In situations where a child is injured or they die during the birthing process, it can be very difficult to understand what went wrong. This is especially true in situations where everything seems fine right up until the delivery of the child. For parents, nothing is more traumatic. These attorneys can help you to learn more about the case you may have.

Do You Have a Case?

When you work with the birth injury attorney, he or she will provide you with the information you need to determine if someone did something wrong and if there is a legal case at hand. In some cases, there is no answer. In other situations, doctors and hospitals may not be forthcoming about accidents or mistakes made. This is why you need a lawyer by your side to help you to determine what went wrong.

How Can They Know?

To know if something did go wrong, the lawyer will work on better understanding your case. This will include talking to you and anyone who was a part of the delivery process. It will mean obtaining files and documentation indicating the details of the incident from doctors, nurses and the hospital itself. This process can take some time but learning about what happened is something these attorneys can do for you, as they work for you. Unlike a hospital who is working with the doctor, you can learn more about the actual occurrence from someone working for you.

What Happens Then?

The next step is to fully understand what happened in the case and then to use that information to determine if there is any legal grounds for pursuing the facility or the doctor for malpractice. In some situations, there is very clear evidence of a violation. In others, it can be difficult to prove. The key here is to prove that the professional did not act properly and in some way made a mistake or took an action he or she knew was not the right one to take.

Proving this type of scenario is not easy to do. However, with the right birth injury attorney, you can better understand what your options are from someone who wants to help you through the process. In many situations, there are grounds for getting additional help. If you are suffering because of the actions or inactions of someone you trusted, it may be time to talk to your lawyer about the options you have.

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