TRENTON--New Jersey officials say state residents who were born in Puerto Rico will have to obtain a new certified copy of their birth certificate under a new law passed by the government of Puerto Rico.

The law was passed in cooperation with the U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security to address fraudulent use of Puerto Rico-issued birth certificates to unlawfully obtain U.S. passports, Social Security benefits and other federal services.

Officials said Monday that Puerto Rican-born New Jersey residents need to contact the Office of Vital Statistics in Puerto
Rico to get a new certified copy of their birth certificate.

Information is available at two Web sites: http://www.salud.gov.pr or www.prfaa.com/birthcertificates.