New P.R. birth cert. for first time drivers licenses

WETHERSFIELD, Conn. The state Department of Motor Vehicles says a new law passed in Puerto Rico earlier this year to help stem fraud cancels all birth certificates issued there before July 1.

For Connecticut residents born in Puerto Rico, that means they must either have a valid passport or get a new birth certificate by July 1 if they want to apply for a first-time Connecticut driver's license, learner's permit or ID card.

It will not affect renewals.

State officials say Connecticut has about 222,000 residents of Puerto Rican descent.