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.
I am looking for my grandmothers birth record born around 1914 in Lares PR. I can’t find anything for her in ancestry.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?