Panama Civil Registration

Panama Civil Registration

Civil registration of births, marriages, and deaths began in 1914. Civil registration in Panama officially began on April 15, 1914. At that time, the mayors of districts and villages recorded daily the births, marriages, and deaths occurring within their jurisdiction. In 1974, the Direccion Nacional del Registro Civil (National Civil Registry) was created under the Tribunal Electoral and was charged to record all births, marriages, deaths, naturalizations and other judicial acts related to a person's civil state. As a result, Civil Registry offices were created within each provincial capital.

According to the U.S. Department of State,: = Copy of Panama Canal Birth or Death Certificate = Only Those Listed Below May Obtain a Copy of These Records: All Consular Vital Records cost $50 per document.
 * The individual whose birth is recorded on the document
 * A legal guardian of the individual whose birth is recorded on the document
 * An authorized government agency or
 * A person with written authorization

To Request Copies of a Panama Canal Zone Birth Certificate You Must Submit:
1. A notarized written (or typed) request that includes all of the following information: 2. A copy of requester’s valid identification
 * Full name of the child at birth
 * Any adoptive names of child
 * Date and place of birth
 * Full name of parents
 * Return address and telephone number

3. A $50.00 check or money order for each copy requested. 4. Mail to:
 * Make payable to "Department of State"
 * Include a complete mailing address on the check.
 * The Department will assume no responsibility for cash lost in the mail.

Department of State

Passports Vital Records Section

44132 Mercure Cir.

PO Box 1213

Sterling, VA 20166-1213

PLEASE NOTE: REQUESTS THAT ARE NOT NOTARIZED OR DO NOT INCLUDE A COPY OF REQUESTER’S VALID ID WILL BE DELAYED.

To Request Copies of a Panama Canal Zone Death Certificate You Must Submit:
1. A notarized written (or typed) request that includes all of the following information: 2. A copy of requester’s valid identification
 * Full name of deceased
 * Date and place of death
 * Signature of requester
 * Return address and telephone number

3. A $50.00 check or money order for each copy requested. 4. Mail to:
 * Make payable to "Department of State"
 * The Department will assume no responsibility for cash lost in the mail.

Department of State

Passports Vital Records Section

44132 Mercure Cir.

PO Box 1213

Sterling, VA 20166-1213

PLEASE NOTE: REQUESTS THAT ARE NOT NOTARIZED OR DO NOT INCLUDE A COPY OF REQUESTER’S VALID ID WILL BE DELAYED.

Overnight Delivery

Send your request to our office using overnight delivery for quicker service. To have your records returned to you using overnight delivery, include an additional $15.45 with your request or a pre-paid envelope for the delivery service provider of your choice.

To check the status of your Panama Canal Zone document request, call 202-485-8300.