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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
You should expect delays for pending and recently submitted requests to the Vital Records Office due to public health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We are currently in Phase 2 of our three phase reopening plan.
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) record facility closed on December 7 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and requests that require a file search may take longer.
Phase 2: Most of our staff will return to the office. We will focus on processing cases on a first in, first out basis, prioritizing our oldest cases. Delays will continue.
Phase 3: We will adjust to our new normal for operations. As we maintain health measures to protect our staff, we expect that service delays for certain products will remain due to work practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
As a reminder, all phases are fluid and can be quickly changed due to local public health conditions.
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 written request 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 written request 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 $17.13 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
