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Replace or Certify Documents > Requesting a Life Event Record as a U.S. Citizen > How to Request a Copy of a Panama Canal Zone Birth or Death Certificate
We issue copies of birth and death records from the Panama Canal Zone that were issued between 1904 and 1979.
Who can request a copy of a Panama Canal Zone birth or death certificate:
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 records to the U.S. Department of State.
To request a copy of a Panama Canal Zone Birth or Death Certificate, you must submit a:
1. Notarized, completed Form DS-5542
2. Photocopy of the front and back of your valid photo ID. Examples include:
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.
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
You should expect to receive your document in 4 to 8 weeks. Some documents may take longer than 8 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. 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:
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: