To request a copy of a Panama Canal Zone Birth or Death Certificate, you must submit a:

1. Notarized, completed Form DS-5542

• We recommend you fill out the form on your computer.
• If you complete the form by hand, use black ink.
• Sign the form in front of a notary public.

2. Photocopy of the front and back of your valid photo ID. Examples include:

• State-issued driver’s license
• Non-driver photo ID
• Military ID
• Passport
• Veterans Affairs ID
• Prison ID

If you don't have any of these IDs, please see Passport Vital Records IDs.

3. Check or money order. The cost is $50 for each record you request.

• Make payable to the "U.S. Department of State"
• Include a complete mailing address on the check.
• Checks and money orders must be payable in U.S. dollars through a U.S. bank.
• The Department is not responsible for cash lost in the mail.

Mail the completed Form DS-5542, copy of valid ID, and check or money order to:

U.S. Department of State
Passports Vital Records
44132 Mercure Cir.
PO Box 1213
Sterling, VA 20166-1213

Avoid delays by signing your Form DS-5542 in front of a notary public.

Processing Times

• Our processing times only include the time your request is being reviewed by our office.
• Mailing times, which may add up to 4 weeks on to the time it takes to receive your document, are not included in processing times.
• Once we receive your request in our office, we will process most requests in 4 to 8 weeks. Because of the unique nature of our records, we cannot provide expedited service. Some documents may take longer than 8 weeks to locate.
• Make sure you provide complete information on your Form DS-5542 and all your supporting documents (example: copies of consular documents requested) to avoid delays. Your processing times may be delayed if we need you to provide additional information to us.
• We can only provide official copies of records on file with the U.S. Department of State.

Consider the total time it will take to receive your record when submitting your request.   

Shipping

We will send your vital record to you. You can select First Class Mail or 1-2 Day Delivery:

• USPS First Class Mail: Takes one to two weeks. No additional charge. 
• 1-2 Day Delivery Service: Add $19.53 to your check or money order.

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.

• A photocopy of two of your secondary IDs. 
• A notarized statement from the person who is requesting your records
• A copy of the valid primary photo ID of the person making the request

Apostilles are specialized certificates attached to your consular documents. Apostilles can only be attached to Panama Canal Zone Birth and Death Certificates that were issued in the last five years. 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.  

If you need an apostille to satisfy foreign document requirements, you must submit a:

1. Complete, notarized Form DS-5542
2. Photocopy of a valid state-issued, photo ID (e.g. driver's license), and 
3. Check or money order. The cost is $50 if you need a new copy of your Panama Canal Zone record.

• Make payable to the "U.S. Department of State"
• Include a complete mailing address on the check.
• Checks and money orders must be payable in U.S. dollars through a U.S. bank.
• The Department is not responsible for cash lost in the mail.

Mail your notarized Form DS-5542, photocopy of your ID, and payment to:

    U.S. Department of State
    Passport Vital Records
    44132 Mercure Circle
    PO Box 1213
    Sterling, VA 20166-1213

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:

• Consular Report of Death Abroad
• Certificate of Witness to Marriage
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad