LatinoJustice PRLDEF has been informed by representatives of the Puerto Rico government that it will extend the validity of all island-issued birth certificates through the end of September, creating a three month transition period while officials begin issuing new certificates July 1.
In December 2009, the Puerto Rico legislature passed a law stating that all birth certificates issued before July 1, 2010 would have to be replaced, in effect invalidating the birth records of millions of island and U.S. mainland residents.
LatinoJustice PRLDEF President and General Counsel Cesar A. Perales sent a letter to the governor pointing to numerous problems with the law, and urged the governor to create a six-month transition period to cope with confusion the law was causing for government officials and residents on the island and in the mainland United States. Read more
