If you were born in Puerto Rico and plan to travel there from the U.S., make sure you have a new birth certificate if you use one for identification purposes. In 2009, the Puerto Rican government passed legislation to invalidate all P.R. birth certificates issued prior to July 1, 2010 and replace them with new, more secure and verified certificates of birth. This program, which was created in cooperation with the U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security, is designed to put an end to issuance of fraudulent and forged Puerto Rican birth certificates. You can order your new birth certificate by mail, phone or online.
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Demographic Registry
P.O. Box 11854
San Juan, PR 00910
866-842-6765
pr.gov
If you are a U.S. citizen you do not need to obtain visas, but you do need identification to fly into and out of Puerto Rico. A passport is the best type of identification for travelers. To obtain a passport from the U.S. Department of State as an adult over 18 years old, you must fill out an "Application for U.S. Passport" (Form DS-11) and take it, along with two passport photos, identification and proof of citizenship to a passport agency or other processing facility such as a U.S. Post Office. If you had a passport before turning 18 years old, you must obtain an adult passport. To obtain a child/youth passport for your child or children, take them to the passport office or other agency with all of the same identification as well as your proof of identity, and you'll be required to provide consent for them to be issued a passport.
Washington Passport Agency
1111 19th Street, N.W.
First Floor, Sidewalk Level
Washington, D.C. 20036
877-487-2778
travel.state.gov
If you are traveling to Puerto Rico to get married, obtain marriage license papers from the Department of Health in Santurce; make sure to file for these papers at least two months before the wedding. If you want to bring the family pet along with you, you will need a health and rabies certificate from your vet, and the animal must travel with name and contact information tags. There are also restrictions on traveling with firearms; make sure you have filed a Declaration of Armed Individual with the airline at check-in. Also, carry a copy of the prescription with you for any medications you take.
Puerto Rico Tourism Company Office
La Princesa Bldg. #2 Paseo La Princesa
Old San Juan, PR 00902
800-866-7827
topuertorico.org
All airlines require very similar documentation for ticket retrieval and/or boarding; check your airline's website or call them before you go to the airport to make sure you have the proper ID with you. United Airlines serves Puerto Rico daily and requires a valid federal or state photo ID that states your name, gender, birth date and expiration date. The airline accepts passports, driver's licenses and military ID cards, tribal identification cards with photos and transportation worker identification credentials.
