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Records and Authentications > Requesting a Vital Record as a U.S. Citizen > How to Request a Copy of a Panama Canal Zone Birth or Death Certificate
We issue birth and death records for the Panama Canal Zone issued between February 26, 1904 and September 30, 1979.
Who can request a copy of a Panama Canal Zone birth or death certificate:
Please note: The Panama Canal Commission maintained the birth records of persons born in the Panama Canal Zone between February 26, 1904 and September 30, 1979. In December 1999, the Commission transferred those records to the U.S. Department of State. You can request birth and death records for the Panama Canal Zone issued between February 26, 1904 and September 30, 1979.
To request a copy of a Panama Canal Zone Birth Certificate, you must submit:
1. Submit a notarized letter that includes all of the following information:
2. Submit a copy of your valid identification
A copy of your valid photo ID. Examples:
If you don't have any of these IDs, please see Passport Vital Records IDs.
3. Send a $50.00 check or money order. Additional copies are $50.00 each.
4. Mail the notarized request, copy of valid ID, and check to:
U.S. Department of State
Passports Vital Records Section
44132 Mercure Cir.
PO Box 1213
Sterling, VA 20166-1213
Note: Avoid delays by notarizing your request and including a copy of your valid photo identification.
Processing Times
You should expect to receive your document in 3 to 4 months. Some documents may take longer than 16 weeks due to nationwide shipping delays. Because of the unique nature of our records, we cannot provide expedited service. We can only provide official copies of records that are on file with the U.S. Department of State.
Shipping
We will send your vital record to you. You can select First Class Mail or 1-2 Day Delivery:
To request a copy of a Panama Canal Zone Death Certificate, you must submit:
1. Submit a notarized letter that includes all of the following information:
2. Submit a copy of your valid identification
3. Send a $50.00 check or money order. Additional copies are $50.00 each.
4. Mail the notarized request, copy of valid ID, and check to:
U.S. Department of State
Passports Vital Records Section
44132 Mercure Cir.
PO Box 1213
Sterling, VA 20166-1213
Note: Avoid delays by notarizing your request and including a copy of your valid photo identification.
Processing Times
You should expect to receive your document in 3 to 4 months. Some documents may take longer than 16 weeks due to nationwide shipping delays. Because of the unique nature of our records, we cannot provide expedited service. We can only provide official copies of records that are on file with the U.S. Department of State.
Shipping
We will send your vital record to you. You can select First Class Mail or 1-2 Day Delivery:
Yes. He or she must be a family member or friend who has known you for at least five years. We need the following information:
Your signed, written authorization. For example: I, state your name, hereby authorize John Doe to request my Panama Canal Zone Birth Certificate on my behalf.
Apostilles are specialized certificates attached to your consular documents. If you need an apostille to satisfy foreign document requirements, you must submit a notarized request which states the foreign country the apostille is needed for and a copy of a valid state-issued ID (e.g. driver's license) to the address listed below. Apostilles can only be attached to Panama Canal Zone Birth Certificates and Panama Canal Zone Death Certificates that were issued in the last five years.
If you already have a consular document issued within the last five years, you don't need to pay for the apostille. If your consular document was issued more than five years ago, you must submit a request for a new Panama Canal Zone Birth or Death Certificate.
In addition to Panama Canal Zone Birth and Death Certificates, you can request other consular documents for $50 per copy:
You must ensure that the country for intended use is a member of the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents.
Please send your notarized request and fee (if necessary) to:
U.S. Department of State
Passport Vital Records Section
44132 Mercure Circle
PO Box 1213
Sterling, VA 20166-1213