Born in Puerto Rico? Delaware will require new birth certificate

    Starting July 1, the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will no longer recognize or accept birth certificates from Puerto Rico that were issued before July 1, 2010 as a valid form of identification.

    Starting July 1, the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will no longer recognize or accept birth certificates from Puerto Rico that were issued before July 1, 2010 as a valid form of identification.

    The change comes after Puerto Rico passed a law designed to fight fraud and protect the identity of people born on the island.  The law prohibits public and private groups from “retaining, storing, or holding certified copies of birth certificates.”  The change affects people born in Puerto Rico nationwide, not just in Delaware.

    For years, Puerto Rico officials say copies of official birth certificates were being required  for all kinds of things that were not necessary.  That led to a large number of unsecured birth certificates falling into the hands of scammers.

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    Now, people born in Puerto Rico who are living in Delaware will have to apply for a new, more secure birth certificate if they need to get a new driver license or identification card from the Delaware DMV.  DMV officials say there is no need for all Puerto Rico-born residents to immediately apply for a new birth certificate.  They say only those who need one f0r official purposes should apply right away.  Puerto Rico has set up a website to provide more details about the program at prfaa.com

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