Title 48, Territories and Insular PossessionsRelease 119-102
§731a Change of Name; Puerto Rico
Title 48 › CHAPTER 4 — PUERTO RICO › SUBCHAPTER I — GENERAL PROVISIONS › § 731a
Summary
Starting May 17, 1932, the island that used to be called "Porto Rico" must be called "Puerto Rico." Any U.S. law, rule, or official record that says "Porto Rico" will be treated as if it says "Puerto Rico."
Full Legal Text
Title 48, §731a
Territories and Insular Possessions, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
From and after May 17, 1932, the island designated “Porto Rico” in the Act entitled “An Act to provide a civil government for Porto Rico, and for other purposes,” approved March 2, 1917, as amended, shall be known and designated as “Puerto Rico.” All laws, regulations, and public documents and records of the United States in which such island is designated or referred to under the name of “Porto Rico” shall be held to refer to such island under and by the name of “Puerto Rico.”
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Act approved March 2, 1917, as amended, referred to in text, is act Mar. 2, 1917, ch. 145, 39 Stat. 951, known as the Puerto Rican Federal Relations Act and also popularly known as the Jones Act, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see
Short Title
note set out under section 731 of this title and Tables. Codification Section was not enacted as part of the Puerto Rican Federal Relations Act which comprises this chapter.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
48 U.S.C. § 731a
Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102