If you are moving from the United States mainland to Puerto Rico you will probably hear about the Puerto Rico citizenship certificate sooner than you think. It is a crucial document for people who are moving to Puerto Rico because of the Act 60 tax incentive decrees or for people who have Puerto Rican heritage and want to prove it. The paperwork for the Puerto Rico citizenship certificate is not too hard to handle.
This guide will explain the process of getting the Puerto Rico citizenship certificate step by step, including who qualifies for the Puerto Rico citizenship certificate, what documents you need to apply, how to apply, and the citizenship certificate is actually useful.
What the Puerto Rican Citizenship Certificate Actually Is
Puerto Rico is a place that belongs to the United States and everyone born in Puerto Rico is a US citizen from the moment they are born according to the federal law. The certificate of Puerto Rican citizenship is not like having two nationalities at the same time.
What this certificate does is say that you are a citizen of Puerto Rico under the laws of Puerto Rico. The Puerto Rico State Department has been giving out these certificates since 2007 after the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico recognized Puerto Rican citizenship as existing within the context of US nationality (Miriam J. Ramirez de Ferrer v. Juan Mari Brás, 144 DPR 141, 1997). The certificate is given out by the Puerto Rico Department of State and is backed by Puerto Rico’s Political Code.
Now let’s talk about what this document cannot do. It does not mean anything under the laws of the United States. It does not affect how tax you pay, your Social Security, voting eligibility, or your status as an immigrant. Having this certificate does not make you more of a US citizen or less of a US citizen. It is a document that is only used in Puerto Rico. Do not get it mixed up with a certificate of citizenship which is a different document that is used to prove you are a US citizen if you got it through your parents or, by becoming a naturalized citizen.
At a Glance: What This Certificate Is Actually Used For
- Spanish citizenship applications. Puerto Rico’s status as an Ibero-American territory allows holders of this certificate to apply for Spanish citizenship under a two-year residency track, rather than the standard ten-year requirement, under Spain’s Organic Law 4/2000 and Royal Decree 557/2011.
- Act 60 bona fide residency documentation. For mainland Americans who have relocated to Puerto Rico under Act 60 individual investor decrees, this certificate can serve as supporting evidence in the “closer connection” residency test during annual compliance reviews.
Who Qualifies
The Puerto Rico Department of State has three paths for people to be eligible. It is very important to know which one is for you, as it decides what papers you need and if you can apply now or have to wait.
- Born in Puerto Rico. You qualify to apply right away, if you were born on the island and your parents were subject to the laws of Puerto Rico no matter where you live now.
- Born outside Puerto Rico with at least one Puerto Rican parent. You have to be a US citizen and have at least one parent who was born in Puerto Rico. You do not have to live in Puerto Rico for an amount of time to qualify under this rule.
- Resided in Puerto Rico for at least one year. This is the rule that applies to people from the mainland United States who have recently moved to the island. You have to have lived in Puerto Rico for a year before you can send in your application. The time you start living in Puerto Rico is when the clock starts. It keeps going even if you go back to the mainland for a while.
Important:
You do not need a certificate to live work or do business in Puerto Rico. It does not help you comply with Act 60 faster. If you apply before you have lived in Puerto Rico for one year your application will be rejected. Also remember that no one can promise that your application will be approved. The Puerto Rico Department of State is the one that decides.
Documents You’ll Need
The required documents vary depending on your eligibility category.
If You Were Born in Puerto Rico
The process is relatively simple. You will need:
- A completed application form (available from the Puerto Rico Department of State)
- Your original Puerto Rican birth certificate – note that only birth certificates issued on or after July 1, 2010 are accepted, as earlier versions were invalidated under Puerto Rican law to prevent fraud
- A valid photo ID (driver’s license or passport)
- Internal revenue stamps totaling approximately $30. Fees can changes, so you need to verify the current amounts on the official website colecturiadigital.com or directly with the Puerto Rico Department of State
If You Were Born Outside Puerto Rico
Besides what mentioned above, you will need one more document. Your Puerto Rican parent’s birth certificate (original) is a must. Note that it must be updates in post-2010 format.
If You Qualify Through One Year of Residency
This path requires additional proof. The Puerto Rican government accepts the following as evidence of residency:
- Two utility bills (water, electricity, or phone) in your name covering 12 months at the address listed on the application
- A valid Puerto Rican driver’s license or government-issued photo ID
- An employment certificate or pay stubs from the past 12 months showing work in Puerto Rico
- A copy of your most recently filed Puerto Rico income tax return (planilla) with the Treasury’s stamp
Step-by-Step: How to Apply
- Confirm your eligibility. Look at the three categories to see if you qualify. If you are using the one-year residency path make sure you have all the documents that show you have been living there for a full 12 months.
- Gather your documents. You need to have the original documents, not copies, when they are required. If any of your documents were given to you on the mainland, you need to check, if you need to get them translated or get an apostille before you can send them in.
- Complete the official application form. You can get the form, from the Puerto Rico Department of State website at estado.pr.gov. Make sure you fill it out completely and correctly.
- Pay the required fee. You can buy the revenue stamps you need from the Puerto Rico Treasury’s payment portal. Check the website colecturiadigital.com to see how much you need to pay and what the codes are because these can change.
- Submit your application. You can do this in person at a Puerto Rico Department of State office. You can send it in the mail. It usually takes a weeks or a few months to process depending on how many applications they get and if your application is complete. If your application is not complete it will take longer, so make sure you check it carefully before you send it in.
- Request an apostille if needed. If you plan to use the certificate abroad, such as for a Spanish citizenship application, you will need an apostille. This can be requested from the Puerto Rico Department of State at an additional cost – verify the current apostille fee at estado.pr.gov before budgeting.
A Quick Comparison: Applicant Paths
| Eligibility Path | Key Requirement | Main Documents Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Born in Puerto Rico | Birth on the island | PR birth certificate, photo ID |
| PR parent (born outside PR) | One parent born in Puerto Rico | Your + parent’s birth certificates |
| Residency-based (mainland mover) | 1 full year of PR residency | Proof of address, ID, income docs |
How This Fits Into a Post-Move Checklist for Mainland Relocators
For people moving from the mainland to Puerto Rico, especially under Act 60, the citizenship certificate is not your first priority. It cannot be. The one-year residency requirement means your earliest possible application date is 12 months after establishing domicile on the island. Use that first year to build the residency documentation trail that the application will eventually require.
- Make sure the utility bills are in your name from the beginning.
- Getting a Puerto Rico drivers license will help when you apply for the citizenship certificate and you need it anyway because of Act 60 rules. You have to get it within 60 days of moving to the island.
- Also file your Puerto Rico income tax return for your full year on the island. This will show that you really live there. Start collecting all these papers and keep them organized.
After one year you can apply for the citizenship certificate. This is one of the many things you need to do after you move. You also need to update your voter registration and check that you are doing everything you need to do for Act 60. You need to look at your IRS Form 8898 to see what you need to do.
Things That Can Slow the Process Down
Outdated birth certificates. Birth certificates that were given out before July 1, 2010 are not accepted. Getting a reissued certificate from Puerto Rico’s Vital Statistics Registry takes additional time. Build this step into your planning if there is any chance your birth certificate is outdated.
Utility bills not in your name. This one is common. Especially common for new arrivals who sublet furnished apartments or move in with family while they find permanent housing. When you relocate, make sure you are the one whose name is on the utilities.
Incomplete submissions. If you forget something, like a revenue stamp or a signature or if you submit a photocopy of the original, the Puerto Rico Department of State will not contact you to fix it. They will just send it back and put it on hold.
If you are still working through the logistics of your move to Puerto Rico, A Plus Moving provides long-distance relocation services from the US mainland to the island. The team handles packing, transportation, and delivery, and can help you think through timing so your move-in date aligns with the residency documentation you will need down the road. Call us today at (800) 919-6332 !
