How to apply for a Jamaican Passport

The Passport, Immigration & Citizenship Agency (PICA) regulations and guidelines govern all applications for passports and visas. The Consulate facilitates the application process, but PICA is the final authority. An applicant for a passport or a visa should present all required documentation at the time of the application. Applicants MUST submit (a) legibly completed application form in full which must be signed in all applicable places; and (b) accompanied by requisite documentation and identification (before continuing, see notes regarding documentation and photo identification)

Please see attached document on the application process provided by PICA here:

IMPORTANT Notes regarding Vital Records Documents, Photo Identification & Photographs

Examine all your documents carefully before submitting your application. Make sure that they are the original issued by the proper authority* (photocopies or copies certified by a Notary Public will not be accepted – no exceptions). Documents will be returned on completion of application process along with passport or visa.

Proper authority: All supporting documents (birth, death, marriage, divorce, name change, adoption, et cetera) must be CERTIFIED copies issued by the Official records office in the district where the event occurred, e.g. Registrar General’s Department, Bureau of Vital Statistics/Records, County Court, and must bear the original seal / stamp and a signature of the issuing authority.

  • Female married applicants should be aware that the acceptable marriage certificate must be one obtained from the Registrar General’s Department (if married in Jamaica) and if married outside of Jamaica, the document is one issued by (a) the Vital Statistics or Vital Records Office in the State (USA) where the marriage took place; or (b)  the  office where the marriage licence was obtained, such as a county court or marriage license bureau/registry (USA); or (c ) appropriate Vital Records office in the country where the marriage took place outside of the United States.
  • A Foreign Language record must be accompanied by an official translation of the document and must bear the original stamp/seal/signature of the translating authority
  • Court documents such as divorce judgments, adoption orders, name change decrees, must be certified by the court that issued the document and include the official’s title and his/her signature which must be legible and a record number (such as a Book/Page or Volume/Folio number, et cetera) and the date on which the certified document was issued.

Photo Identification

In exceptional instances, the Consulate may request additional photo identification to support an application. In such instances,  a notarized copy of the document will be requested, but the Consulate reserves the right to request the original document, which will be returned to the applicant at the end of the application process.

Photographs

The Jamaican Passport Agency has strict photo requirements. Please read carefully the specifics for passport / visa application. Please read information on Photo requirements Here

Failure to comply will lead to extensive delay in
application processing!

Further information on Jamaican Passport can be found on this Web site as to supporting documentation applicants should submit with their Passport and/or Visa application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to demonstrate to an officer that they meet the requirements of the Jamaican Immigration Regulations. Decisions are made based on the supporting documents submitted and on the information provided in the application form, which the applicant declares to be true.

PASSPORTS

Processing period:

Processing time is based on final approval of all requirements by the Passport, Immigration & Citizenship Agency (PICA) in Jamaica.

Mailed-in – 60 – 90 business days

If for any reason additional information or documentation is required, this will delay the processing period beyond 90 days. You can receive updates from the office at any stage of the process, and get approximate dispatch date for Passport / or Visa including a USPS tracking number by contacting the following:

Telephone (305) 374-8431 ext. 225 or 226 or 235 between 2:00pm and 5:00pm Eastern Time only.

Payments:

Mailed-in: (a) money order or cashier’s cheque (check) payable to the Consulate General of Jamaica – Miami

Walk-in (a) money order or cashier’s cheque (check) payable to the Consulate General of Jamaica – Miami

Cancellations:

Cancellation of an application must be requested in writing (no exceptions) and signed by the applicant. In the case of minors, this is to be done by the parent/guardian who applied on the minor’s behalf.

Refunds:

Refunds are not automatic and are only payable depending on the stage of the process of an application. In cases where refunds are approved, only a portion of fees will be repaid. Requests for refunds must be done in writing and signed by the applicant. In the case of minors, this is to be done by the parent/guardian who applied on the minor’s behalf.

Mail-in & Walk-in Guidelines for Passport Applications:

Your passport will be returned to you via US Postal Service (Express Mail).

US Postal Service will not deliver to P.O. Box numbers and a regular mailing address is required with Street Address &/or Apt Number, and ZIP Code where applicable, for the return of your documents.