Historical Background
Puerto Rico’s civil registration records began in 1885. Here, you will find a complete index of all the corresponding towns. Unfortunately, these books are missing, have not been filmed, or are severely damaged.
- Civil registration in Puerto Rico began in early 1885. The whole population of Puerto Rico living since 1885 is registered in these records. Most municipalities have births, marriages, and deaths from 1885, but some have records from earlier years.
- The Demographic Registry Office of Puerto Rico (Registro Demográfico de Puerto Rico) is responsible for preserving all the vital data of Puerto Rico’s citizens, such as the registration of births, marriages, and deaths.
- Before 1885, a person’s vital information was registered in the Catholic Church parish records.
If you can not find a civil registration for your ancestor, I suggest you look in the Church Records index.
Index for Puerto Rico Civil Registration Records
This is an ongoing project and may take a few months to complete. For example, it takes me a few days to complete one town. In addition, depending on the number of books available for each city, it may take longer. Please let me know if anyone would like to volunteer. You can tell me which town you would like to complete, and I can send you the instructions. Thank you.
| Adjuntas | Aguada | Aguadilla | Aguas Buenas | Aibonito | Añasco | Arecibo | Arroyo |
| Barceloneta | Barranquitas | Bayamón | Cabo Rojo | Caguas | Camuy | Canóvanas | Carolina |
| Cataño | Cayey | Ceiba | Ciales | Cidra | Coamo | Comerío | Corozal |
| Culebra | Dorado | Fajardo | Florida | Guánica | Guayama | Guayanilla | Guaynabo |
| Gurabo | Hatillo | Hormigueros | Humacao | Isabela | Jayuya | Juana Díaz | Juncos |
| Lajas | Lares | Las Marías | Las Piedras | Loíza | Luquillo | Manatí | Maricao |
| Maunabo | Mayagüez | Moca | Morovis | Naguabo | Naranjito | Orocovis | Patillas |
| Peñuelas | Ponce | Quebradillas | Rincón | Río Grande | Rio Piedras | Sabana Grande | Salinas |
| San Germán | San Juan | San Lorenzo | San Sebastián | Santa Isabel | Toa Alta | Toa Baja | Trujillo Alto |
| Trujillo Bajo | Utuado | Vega Alta | Vega Baja | Vieques | Villalba | Yabucoa | Yauco |
FamilySearch Puerto Rico Civil Registration Records
Until I can complete the index breakdown for the above municipalities, the table below will take you to the Civil Registration Records provided by FamilySearch. I should inform you not all the books may be available. Some years may exist but may not have been filmed. In the absence of parish records before 1885 that are not available, I would review the death records. I am suggesting this because if you are fortunate to have an ancestor who lived a long life, you may find their death record. Siblings could also provide missing information, so do not discount researching siblings.
Hi, My grandfather Dolores Martinez Maldonado was born in Orocovis in 1912 and was raised in Coamo. His mother was Juan Martinez Rivera and he was the illegitimate son of Valentin Maldonado Fernandez. I found many of his paternal family members. However, I’ve hit a wall with finding anything about him and his maternal side. My dad once went to Orocovis/Coamo (not sure which) and was told that all those records were ruined during a hurricane. Would it be possible that there are some records somewhere, whether church records or anything with his name or his mother’s lineage? Your guidance would be truly appreciated.
Please send me an email to hijosdecoamopr@gmail.com Did you mean Juana Martinez?
Corozal Puerto Rico
Estoy buscando padres y abuelos de Antonio Negron Diaz nacido cerca 1730
Looking for the parents name of my great great grandfather Gil Maldonado y Vargas born 1845 maybe in Ciales
I am looking for my grandmothers birth record born around 1914 in Lares PR. I can’t find anything for her in ancestry.com
Please send me an email to hijosdecosmopr@gmail.com.
How are the records from santa isabel coming along? I’m looking for birth registry for 1940s, 1950s, really need one for 1944. You mention volunteering to help I would help thanks for any help
Santa Isabel is complete.
Have been using this site as a major resource for some of the hard-to-find relatives that we just aren’t able to find on the more commonly used genealogy sites. I am still searching for a few names but this archive did at least confirm 2 of my ancestors and several children they had that we did not know about. Thank you for this resource!
Thank you for your comment. I am happy to read that you were able to find relatives you did not know of. Good luck with your continued research.
How is the record from Orocovis coming along? I am looking for info on 1898, and Jan. 1927.
Who are you looking for?