PUBLIC NOTICE

For travel to Jamaica passports must have a least six (6) months validity from the date of entry to Jamaica.  This not discretionary and therefore visitors and nationals are advised to renew their passports in advance of travel if there is not sufficient time.   

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CERTIFICATION OF JAMAICAN CITIZENSHIP

By law, all persons born outside of Jamaica, who have a claim to Jamaican citizenship by descent, whether through a parent or   grandparent,  are required to formally apply for the Certification of Jamaican Citizenship. 

PLEASE NOTE:

• This applies also to those person who may have held Jamaican passports previously and now need to renew their passport and be issued with machine readable passports.   

• This requirements applies to children born of Jamaican parents currently working in the UK on work permits ( e.g. Nurses and Teachers) or students ( i.e. student visa holders) who may be unaware of the immigration status of their children and that the acquisition of Jamaican citizenship is not automatic, though the children are entitled and eligible. 

An amendment to the Jamaica Nationality Act made this a necessity to protect  the integrity of the new passport system and the data captured on all applicants.   Please download the required application form and instructions by clicking on the link above.

The procedure is as follows:

A letter of application must be sent to the Ministry of National Security, 25 Constant Spring Road, Kingston 10, Jamaica, via the High Commission, and supported by the following documents:

• If born in wedlock to a Jamaican father:

  a) applicant’s full birth certificate (showing parent’s names)

  b) father’s birth certificate and Jamaican passport

  c) parent’s marriage certificate

• If born out of wedlock to a Jamaican mother:

  a) applicant’s full birth certificate

  b) mother’s birth certificate and Jamaican passport

   

• If one parent is Jamaican, but the applicant falls outside of the cases above

  a) the applicant’s full birth certificate (and passport, if applicable)

  b) (Jamaican) parent’s birth certificate and Jamaican passport

  c) parent’s marriage certificate (if applicable)

  ALL APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE ACCOMPANIED BY TWO PASSPORT-SIZED PHOTOS (CERTIFIED BY THE HIGH COMMISSION) AND POLICE REPORT (CHARACTER REFERENCE) FOR APPLICANTS OVER 16 YEARS OLD.

On the basis of the verified documents submitted, the Ministry of National Security will issue a of Certification of Citizenship. This  certificate of citizenship  is required to apply for a Jamaican passport.

Please allow between 6 months to one year for the processing of applications for Certification of Citizenship.

The Consular (Passport & Visa) Section is open to the public between: 10:00 a.m. and  2:30 p.m.   Mondays to Fridays.

By clicking on to these links you may read or print out these regulations and any forms which may require completion. If you have any queries, please contact us directly at consularaffairs@jhcuk.com