Q. What Can I do here?
A. Here, you may
Search for ancestor records and information by:
- Access records Utilizing the "Instant Online Access", (for fee) option for viewing and saving records to your machine. (Online Articles, Census 1898, Foreigner Royal Decree Files)
- Request (for fee) records and/or information via our database Purchase Genealogical
- Request a "Comprehensive Search" similar to a private (for fee) search
- Purchase items from our SHOP
- You may also leave a testimonial, volunteer, donate and report an error
Please read
Our Terms for purchasing records prior to utilizing our services.
More Terms Q. How does the Database Search Service work?
A. Simply search the database utilizing the "Search" page, locate a document of interest, Request (for fee) document information (transcription) or Request (for fee) "Copies" of the original historical record or citation (digital copy of page in book, magazine and newspaper or photograph) document by simply submitting a request. Your record information and/or copies of a historical record will be Emailed to you within 3 business days.
Q. How does the Vital Records Search Request work?
A. Simply search the database utilizing the "Vital Records Search" page, locate a document of interest, Request (for fee) document information (transcription). Copies of actual vital documents are not included with this service and must be purchased separately. Method of purchase will be sent along with your transcription. Your record information (transcription) will be Emailed to you within 3 business days.
Q. How does the "Comprehensive Search" and/or "Help Me Search" Service work?
A. A comprehensive Search means you have requested a search regarding your ancestor. Our knowledgeable expert researchers search every record available (over 4 million records). We will notify you via Email with results as to what records were found and available. Simply access the "Search Help" page, fill out the form, pay for your search, and Email your request to Archivespuertorico.com. Results will be on their way via Email within 7 to 10 business days and will include a report of findings. The search is informational, historical records found will be referenced on a list but must be purchased separately.
This service is nonrefundable, while we search millions of records we do not guarantee a specific find, though 98% of searches yield favorable results. Archivespuertorico.com makes every effort to find records by utilizing expert and skilled techniques, as well as special collection records for findings. See what our customers are saying.
- Please see "Reasons why an ancestor record may not be found" on the "FAQ's" page for more information.
Please read
Our Terms for purchasing records prior to utilizing our services.
More Terms Q. What will I receive when I order records from the Database Search Service?
A. This all depends on the type of document/information available and the type of information you have requested. We offer "for fee", a transcription of a record. We also offer "for fee", digital copies of the actual historical record located.
- When information is ordered, a transcription of the information on the document will be made available to you via Email.
- When a document copy is ordered, a digital copy of the document will be made available to you via Email.
- If the record is a photograph, be sure to order a "RECORD" Not a transcription. A digital copy of the photograph will be made available to you via Email. If the record is biographical, a digital copy of the page in the book, magazine, newspaper or other will be made available to you via Email.
Please read
Our Terms for purchasing records prior to utilizing our services.
More Terms Q. Why should I use this service?
A. Chances are that you may find records you did not know existed. Here, you will not have to commit to expensive yearly subscriptions fees, options include buying only what you want. It's simple, fast and easy to use, all from the comfort of your home. Additionally, If you do not find a record, Archivespuertorico.com offers private comprehensive search options. We will make every effort to find it for you. We eliminate the need to travel to history centers, libraries and other archiving entities. No need to spend hours manually researching microfilm. Our collection features some items not found anywhere on the web. See what our customers are saying
Please read Our Terms for purchasing records prior to utilizing our services. More Terms
Q. What is the buying process?
A. We currently accept online Paypal payments, Paypal invoicing and Credit Card payments. Money Order payments are accepted for those who require special search services, the Archivespuertorico.com team will happily provide document, order process, pricing and information upon request.
"Search" services results will be emailed to you within7-10 business days.
Database "Request " Services will be emailed to you within 3 business days.
Please read Our Terms for purchasing records prior to utilizing our services. More Terms
Q. What are the fees for documents?
A. Document prices vary. The service provides affordable online (one time) options. Requesting information and private searches are cost effective as well. Please visit the pages of interest for pricing. If you have other questions regarding pricing the Archivespuertorico.com team will happily provide document, order process, pricing and information upon request.
- Information Request from our Database $5.00.
- Digital copies of records from our Database $10.00.
- Records Online $8.00 - $30.00 (Depends on Document or file).
- Comprehensive Search Service $40.00
- Birth, Death, Matrimony and Baptism records LOOKUP (transcription) $5.00.
- Record prices in the SHOP vary, a price list is included.
Digital Vital records may be ordered via special order @ $15.00 each.
Please read
Our Terms for purchasing records prior to utilizing our services.
More Terms Q. What is the Refund Policy?
A. Our service will never misrepresent the condition of a document. The service will ensure to notify you with an accurate description of the condition of the document if requested. If you decide to purchase the document it means that you have understood and accepted the terms of purchase. Once a document has been received and viewed it has become nonrefundable. Refunds will NOT be honored on viewed non tangible items. We do understand that human error is inevitable, therefore in some instances we do provide special circumstance refunds, such as, an "Online" document file hosted with an incorrect ancestor name. For records repeated in error and ordered by a customer on two different occasions, a refund will be honored.
- We urge you to read the "ABOUT" AND "HOW TO SEARCH" information pages associated with all online records before utilizing the service.
Please read
Our Terms for purchasing records prior to utilizing our services.
More Terms Q. What type of records will I find here?
A. Here, you may find information regarding an ancestor not limited to:
- Book Citations
- Businesses in PR Information
- Student and Education Information
- Census Records prior to 1910 (dates vary)
- Employment information
- Foreigner Records (vary)
- Identification Cards (vary)
- Imagery
- Judicial Records
- List Records (Lawyers, Students, Physician, Teachers, Passengers, Police etc)
- Military Records
- Newspaper Articles
- Obituaries
- Passenger Records
- Passport Records
- Photographs
- Foreigner Royal Decree Files
- Slave Records
And much more! Visit our
Sample Documents page for more information.
Vital records, such as, birth, baptismal, marriage and death may be searched for in the
"Vital Records Search" service page or may be ordered via a comprehensive search
here.
Please read
Our Terms for purchasing records prior to utilizing our services.
More Terms
Q. What is the condition of the document or record?
A. The condition of a document/record may range from excellent to damaged, condition depends on age and preservation by archiving agency/entity. Most documents are clear legible and in very good condition. Occasionally our database holds names for documents which are partially viewable, this means they are badly damaged but vital parts of the record are viewable. Upon request, the Archivespuertorico.com team will happily provide document condition information.
Please read Our Terms for purchasing records prior to utilizing our services. More Terms
Q. What are the sources for these records?
A. Most of the records we access are held in Government Archives. Other records held in our archives derive from our private collections, other private collections on loan and donated material used with permission from our donors.
Q. What vital information do records and documents hold?
A. Generally, birth, death, marriage, and baptismal records hold much vital information. Passports, Identification cards, Foreigner records, Royal Decree records, and many other records hold much vital information as well. "List" records mostly serve as evidence of the existence of an ancestor, biographical records may include a photograph in the contents. Some records hold a physical description of an ancestor, or personal information. All records to some degree hold invaluable information about ancestors and the lives they lived not limited to personal details.
Q. Why are some records not available for online purchase?
A. The service is in early developmental stages, future web site enhancements will follow and allow for more online options. Your donations are crucial in implementing future enhancements. Volunteers are also needed for indexing records. Please consider volunteering and donating to ensure rapid service growth.
Q. What do I do If I do not find a record regarding my ancestor on the Database?
A. You should begin by utilizing the Database Search Tips help page, understanding how to search the database will enhance the possibility for a find. Alternatively, you may request a (for fee) comprehensive private search by accessing the Request Search help form.
Q. Can you help me with my search?
A. Yes, simply request help by filling out the (for fee) Request Search help form.
Archivespuertorico.com will perform a comprehensive search. Results will be Emailed to you within 7 to 10 business days. The search service is an informational search service. Historical documents found will be referenced but must be purchased separately.
Please read Our Terms for purchasing records prior to utilizing our services. More Terms
Q. How soon should I expect to receive a response for my Ancestor Search Database Record Request?
A. You should expect a response within 3 business days. Business days are Monday-Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00pm. Be sure to check your spam folder if records not received within 3 business days.
Q. How soon should I expect to receive a response for my Comprehensive Search/Search Help Request?
A. You should expect a response within 7-10 business days. Business days are Monday-Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00pm. Be sure to check your spam folder if records not received within 10 business days.
Q. How soon should I expect to receive a response for my Vital Records Database Search Request?
A. You should expect a response within 3 business days. Business days are Monday-Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00pm. Be sure to check your spam folder if records not received within 3 business days.
Q. Which languages are documents written in?
A. Most documents are written in Spanish language, other documents such as census records for the years 1910-1940 are written in English (USA Created). The language of a document depends on the group of records found and the country of document creation. Royal Decree documents include records in Spanish, other files may include a document written in the language of the country of origin of the ancestor.
Q. Are Translation services available?
A. We currently do not offer Translation services. We do warn that some documents may be handwritten in the language of the country of origin of the ancestor. Deciphering handwriting, language and content information may require careful examination and will be entirely up to you. We hope to be able to offer these services in the future.
Q. Are Transcription services available?
A. Brief transcription services are available when purchased from the database "Request Service" or the Vital Records database "Request" service. We currently do not offer Transcription services for other records. We do warn that some documents may be handwritten in the language of the country of origin of the ancestor. Deciphering handwriting, language and content information may require careful examination and will be entirely up to you.
Q. What are the reasons an ancestor record may not be found?
A. Not all ancestors in Puerto Rico were documented. Occasionally, Puerto Rican ancestor births were registered later in life. Not all ancestors legally wed as well, therefore marriage records may not be available for some ancestors, additionally, surnames were misspelled, thus creating a challenge when searching ancestor records. Surnames were occasionally transposed or altogether omitted, this not so uncommon practice occurred occasionally when a person was adopted without legal issue. These are just a few reasons why finding ancestor records may at times be challenging.
Q. How do I order Birth, Death, Baptismal and Marriage records?
A.You may search the "Vital" records database and order a transcription of a record.
If a record is not found on the "Vitals" database you may visit the "Search Help " page and request a lookup, if we have the document we will notify you.
Copies of the vital record must be purchased separately and are not part of the lookup service.
Fill out the form with all know ancestor information and submit it along with your payment. Be sure to include an alternate record you would prefer to have in place of a record not found by ticking the document type you do not possess. We will search records and will contact you upon completion of the search.
Please read Our Terms for purchasing records prior to utilizing our services. More Terms
Q. What future services can I look forward to?
A. We are looking forward to offering users more Online options and Records, Free Stuff, New Records Alerts, Transcription and Translation Services, More Shop opyions, Digital Library, Archivespuertorico.com En Espanol and overall Site Enhancements, Resources and Tools.
Please help us accomplish our goals by donating and volunteering!
Q. Does the site accept donations?
A. Yes, we accept genealogical material and monetary donations. We encourage you to contact us for more information. Contact Us HERE
Q. What can I donate?
A. Baptism Certificate, Birth Certificate, Census Records, Death Certificate, Funeral Cards, Letters, Marriage Certificate, News Articles, Newspapers, Photographs, Rare Books, Yearbooks anything of genealogical value and Monetary Support.
Let us know how you can help by contacting us HERE.
Q. Why should I donate?
A. Your generous donations help:
- Purchase new records
- Add new records
- Index records, thereby increasing the probability for users to find ancestor documentation
- Help pay for site enhancements providing a better experience for all users
- Help keep the service online
Please consider donating today.
Q. How will my donated material be utilized?
A. Upon approval by the Archivespuertorico.com Team your donation will be hosted on our site for others to view and enjoy. Your name will appear on our contributors list unless you prefer to remain anonymous. When you donate material you do so agreeing to allow archivespuertorico.com to host files online with your permission.
For more information please read our terms of use and donor agreement prior to making a donation.
Q. What will my monetary donation go toward?
A. Your monetary donation will pay for indexing services, purchasing new records, site improvement and enhanced resources and tools. In the hopes of growing the service your donations will also help pay for hosting more images in turn providing access to more online records for all users.
Q. How do I volunteer indexing services?
A. Let us know how you can help by Contacting Us HERE.
Q. I have a suggestion or idea, who do I contact?
A. Your Suggestions, Ideas, Comments and Questions are always welcomed! Contact Us HERE
Q. Who do I contact for copyright Infringement?
A. While me make every effort to ensure non infringement on copyrights, if you believe that we are in violation please contact us HERE. Please type the word Copyrights in the subject field.
Q. How do I contact the Archives?
A. Contact us Here