Travel.State.Gov >
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
Due to public health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, you should expect delays processing your request for vital record services. It may take us 3-4 months to process your request from the date we receive it. Please consider waiting to mail your request until we resume normal operations.
Our team has been heavily impacted by COVID-19 and we are experiencing extremely high call volumes. We are working to safely add resources to make sure we answer your inquiries and address new and pending cases as quickly as possible.
Status Updates: It may take up to 4 weeks from the day you apply until your application status is “In Process".
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.
1. Submit a notarized typed or written letter that includes all of the following information:
2. Submit a copy of requester’s 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
PLEASE NOTE: Your request will be delayed if it's not notarized or doesn't include a copy of your valid ID.
1. Submit a notarized typed or written letter that includes all of the following information:
2. Submit a copy of requester’s 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
PLEASE NOTE: Your request will be delayed if it's not notarized or doesn't include a copy of your valid ID.
If you want 1-2 day delivery of your records, include an additional $17.56 with your $50 check or money order.
To check the status of your request, call 202-485-8300 or email VitalRecordsPublicInquiries@state.gov
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 and a copy of a valid state-issued ID (e.g. driver's license) to the address listed below. If you already have a consular document issued within the last five years, you don't need to pay for the apostille. 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
