The Daily Times staff

FARMINGTON — The New Mexico and Navajo Nation vital records departments will collaborate in the days ahead to help people born in New Mexico obtain delayed birth certificates .

Personnel from both agencies will be at the Bureau of Indian Affairs Nataani Nez Complex Building on U.S. Highway 491 in Shiprock on Monday and Tuesday.

They will assist in the application process and answer questions from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday and from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday.

Applicants must bring legal documentation of their birth. Examples of acceptable documents are church records, elementary school enrollment records, military service or discharge records, government census records, life or medical insurance policies, medical records, tribal census records, tribal enrollment records, Certificate of Indian Blood, tribal government affidavits and family cards.

Other acceptable forms of documentation are official archived copies of applications for a Social Security card, a marriage license or voter registration.

The cost for a copy of a birth certificate is $10, cash only, and a newly issued birth certificate is $20, cash only.

Mark Kassouf, bureau chief for the Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics at the New Mexico Department of Health, said arrangements are underway to hold a similar event in Crownpoint later this month.

For more information, contact the bureau's call center at 866-534-0051.

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