Catastrophic storms and an overall depressed economy have forced many Puerto Ricans to migrate to Florida. Over the past few years, over 100 people have made the journey to Florida every single day. The numbers might only be increasing. Once safely settled in the U.S. however, these residents often need vital records documents, such as birth certificates, which have proven hard to get from Puerto Rico.
Fortunately, as the Orlando Sentinel recently reported, Puerto Ricans can now get their vital records at a new office that has opened: the Integrated Services Center (CSI) in Orlando. Typically, Puerto Ricans could only order their vital records by mail or online, and they often had to wait up to 45 days before the records arrived. Now, the records will be issued immediately, which makes things much easier.
Why Might You Need Vital Records?
There are many reasons you might need them. If you are applying for a job or government benefits, you will most likely need a birth certificate. If you are divorcing, you most likely need a copy of your marriage certificate.
A death certificate can help you close financial accounts and handle a loved one’s assets. It might also be necessary to show that you are the true owner of property, if the deceased was once the owner.
Also, if you are sued for failing to pay child support, you can use a certification to show that you have remained up to date. Without the documentation, a judge might enter an order against you for arrearages and garnish your wages.
The CSI office is located at 6925 Lake Ellenor Drive, Suite 100. Its hours are Monday through Friday, 11:30am to 3:30 pm.
The new CSI should make things much easier on our state’s new residents. Before, Puerto Ricans living in Florida had to travel back to the island or give a family member a power of attorney to request the documents. These options were impracticable for many people. Now, thankfully, Puerto Ricans can get reliable records in a timely manner.
We are a prominent criminal defense law firm located in Orlando and have represented hundreds of people involved in criminal matters in both state and federal court. If you have been accused of a crime, please reach out to us today. We offer a free consultation, which you can schedule by calling 407-377-0150. You have no time to lose.