Had your child on STX? Your child's birth certificate may be invalid.

So my wife just learned from Tamarind Mom's message board that if the File # on your child's birth certificate ends in three zeros it's actually only a temporary birth certificate valid for one year and you have to go back to Vital Statistics and get a new copy with the file #.

For those who don't know getting a birth certificate is a minimum two visit process to Vital Stats, I did it first soon after her birth so that we could get her a SS#...NEVER was I informed from any of the staff members I interacted with that this official birth certificate expired in a year or that I had to return for an updated file #.

My wife went a month after my visit and secured a second official copy for use during travel, same three zeros so the file had not been processed over six weeks from her original birth date. Again she was never told about needing to return.

Fast forward today, 11 months later and my wife confirmed with the office that yes we do need to get a new copy and yes our child's birth certificate would become invalid after her first birthday without the official File# (evidently this number is typed in not the Red number on the top right of the document).

Furthermore if we do not get her new certificate prior to our move off island in the next few months, we would have to fly back to receive the update since they only accept requests in person.

Don't know if this is the same on the other islands...but after living here for five years I'm actually surprised that I'm surprised at the total lack of efficiency or communication within our government services.