Jamaica - Apply for Citizenship

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Procedure

Apply In-Person
Application for Jamaican Citizenship by Descent

1. To apply for Jamaican citizenship by descent, you need to submit your application to the Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) office for local applications. Please view PICA’s contact details via this link: Link And if you stay abroad you can submit your application through the Jamaican Consulate/Embassy or High Commission in the country you are residing in.
2. Obtain the application form from PICA’s office or at any embassy. You can also download the application form from PICA’s website: Link or download it directly via this link: Link Applicants from abroad can also download the form through their embassy’s website
3. Complete the application form accordingly, try to avoid committing errors while filling the form
4. Obtain and prepare all the required supporting documents for your application as per PICA’s rules. See the list of required supporting documents in the “Required Documents” section below
5. Visit the PICA’s office and pay the non-refundable application fee at the cashier in Jamaican dollars according to the service you wish to apply for i.e., Normal service or Expedited service, and obtain the payment receipt. If you are abroad, submit the complete application to the Jamaican Embassy and pay the required fees according to the embassy’s policy
6. Upon payment, submit the complete application to the PICA’s service window for processing, you will be issued with an acknowledgment receipt containing details of your application
7. And then the application will be processed with PICA’s relevant authorities according to the service you applied for and the certificate of citizenship will be availed for collection and issued to you
8. You can either collect it in person or send a representative with a certified authorization letter to collect it on your behalf
9. Applications from abroad will be sent to your embassy where you submitted your application, from there your embassy can mail the certificate to you at a fee or you can collect it in person or via a representative

Note:

• Descendants of Jamaicans born in Dutch or French Overseas departments in the Caribbean and whose surname is acknowledged onthe permission of the mother in the supporting documents will be issued with a citizenship certificate bearing that surname.
• In cases where there is no information for the father recorded on the Jamaican birth certificate and no stated surname is given to the child, then the document is accepted where the child automatically assumes the mother’s name.
• In case a new name is introduced by any document supporting your application, you are required to submit a Deed Poll, Court Order, or Apostille to support the use of that new name
• Deed polls not issued by a State Authority to support the change of name should be treated on a case use of the new identity in a passport. Cases should be referred to the Director/Operations Manager for guidance.
• Change of name completed by persons in the UK will be accepted only if issued by the UK Deed Poll Services and High Court.

Application for Citizenship by Marriage

1. To apply for Jamaican citizenship by Marriage, you need to submit your application to the Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) office for local applications. Please view PICA’s contact details via this link:Link And if you stay abroad you can submit your application through the Jamaican Consulate/Embassy or High Commission in the country you are residing in
2. Obtain the application form R1 from PICA’s office or at any embassy. You can also download the application form from PICA’s website:Link or download it directly via this link:Link Applicants from abroad can also download the form through their embassy website
3. Read the form carefully and then complete and sign it in the presence of either a Justice of the Peace (JP), a Notary Public, or someone authorized to administer oaths.Note that the application form should be made in duplicate
4. Then obtain and prepare all the required supporting documents for your application as per PICA’s rules. See the list of required supporting documents in the “Required Documents” section below
5. Submit the complete application to the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency, 8 Waterloo Road, Kingston 10 or the nearest Jamaican High Commission/Embassy or Consulate along all the required supporting document
6. Pay the required non-refundable application fee. Note that local payments will only be accepted in Jamaican dollars
7. After payment, you will be issued a receipt of your application and then the application will be forwarded for processing by the PICA’s relevant authorities
8. Once processed a certificate of citizenship will be issued to you which you can collect in person or send an authorized representative to collect it on your behalf
9. Applications from abroad will be sent to your embassy where you submitted your application, from there your embassy can mail the certificate to you at a fee or you can collect it in person or via a representative
   

Application for Citizenship by Naturalization

1. To apply for Jamaican citizenship by Naturalization, you need to submit your application to the Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) office for local applications. Please view PICA’s contact details via this link: Link
2. Obtain the Naturalisation Form, N1from PICA’s office. You can also download the application form from PICA’s website:Link or download it directly via this link: Link
3. Read the form carefully and then complete and sign it in the presence of either a Justice of the Peace (JP), a Notary Public, or someone authorized to administer oaths. Note that the application form should be made in duplicate and sponsored by four references. The sponsors should be Jamaican by birth and should not be civil servants, relatives, lawyers, or your agents
4. Then obtain and prepare all the required supporting documents for your application as per PICA’s rules. See the list of required supporting documents in the “Required Documents” section below
5. Arrange with a daily newspaper to advertise your notice of intention to apply for Naturalisation which should be published on twoseparate occasions at least one week apart and should be submitted along with the application.
6. Submit the complete application to the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency, 8 Waterloo Road, Kingston 10 including all the required documents
7. Pay the required non-refundable application fee. Note that local payments will only be accepted in Jamaican dollars
8. After payment, you will be issued a receipt of your application and then the application will be forwarded for processing by the PICA’s relevant authorities
9. Once your application is approved you will be required to have the certificate endorsed at the Stamp Office at an additional cost of $JMD1000.00.
10. Thereafter', visit PICA’s office to attend a swearing-in ceremony to be involved in the Oath of Allegiance or Affirmation ceremony as part of the final step in becoming a citizen of Jamaica
    

Registration of Commonwealth Nationals

1. To apply for Registration as a Commonwealth National in Jamaica, you need to submit your application to the Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) office for local applications. Please view PICA’s contact details via this link: Link
2. Obtain the Registration Form, R3from PICA’s office. You can also download the application form from PICA’s website: Link or download it directly via this link:Link
3. Read the form carefully and then complete and sign it in the presence of either a Justice of the Peace (JP), a Notary Public, or someone authorized to administer oaths. Note that the application form should be made in duplicate.
4. Then obtain and prepare all the required supporting documents for your application as per PICA’s rules. See the list of required supporting documents in the “Required Documents” section below
5. Submit the complete application to the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency, 8 Waterloo Road, Kingston 10 including all the required documents
6. Pay the required application fee. Note that local payments will only be accepted in Jamaican dollars
7. After payment, you will be issued a receipt of your application, and then the application will be forwarded for processing by the PICA’s relevant authorities
8. Upon processing, you will be registered and issued registration documents at PICA’s office
   

Application for Citizenship in Case of Doubt

1. To apply for Jamaican citizenship in Case of Doubt, you should submit your application to the Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) office for local applications. Please view PICA’s contact details via this link:Link And if you stay abroad you can submit your application through the Jamaican Consulate/Embassy or High Commission in the country you are residing in.
2. Write a request letter addressed to the Minister of National Security seeking a document that may identify you as a Jamaican Citizen. The letter must contain the reason for the request and as much useful information as possible regarding your background.
3. You must also provide the following information in your letter: Name, Gender, Date, and Place of Birth, Name of parents, Number of children born to your parents, Infant Baptismal record (if applicable), Schools attended, Present occupation, your Martial status, Number of children born to you, Present or Past Occupation.
4. Obtain Three Statutory Declarations forms in support of your application. The declarations should be completed on the forms by threedifferent persons preferably your relatives,who are at least sevenyears older than you. A paragraph of the declaration should answer the following questions:

   • How many children did your parents have?
   • Of the number of children for your parents, what position did you take?
   • Were you baptized during infancy? If yes and the record is unavailable, please state why?
   • Did you go to school? If yes, where? If the record of admission is unavailable, please state why?

5. Prepare the rest of the required supporting documentsand attach them to the request letter and the statutory declarations.
6. Submit the complete application to the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency, 8 Waterloo Road, Kingston 10 including all the required documents,or to the nearest Jamaican High Commission/Embassy or Consulate in the country you are residing in.
7. Pay the required application fee. Note that local payments will only be accepted in Jamaican dollars
8. Upon payment, your application will be processed by the relevant authority and you will be issued a citizenship certificate at the PICA’s office
   

Registration of Minors

1. To apply for the registration of minors as Jamaican citizens, as the minor’s parent or legal guardian, you need to submit the application to the Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) office for local applications. Please view PICA’s contact details via this link: Link And if you stay abroad you can submit the application through the Jamaican Consulate/Embassy or High Commission in the country you are residing in
2. Obtain the registration form R4from PICA’s office or at any embassy. You can also download the application form from PICA’s website: Link or download it directly via this link:Link. Applicant from abroad can also download the form through their embassy website
3. Read the form carefully and then complete and sign it in the presence of either a Justice of the Peace (JP), a Notary Public, or someone authorized to administer oaths.Note that the application form should be made in duplicate and sponsored by two references. The sponsors should be Jamaican by birth and should not be civil servants, relatives, lawyers, or your agents
4. Then obtain and prepare all the required supporting documents for your application as per PICA’s rules. See the list of required supporting documents in the “Required Documents” section below
5. Submit the complete application to the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency, 8 Waterloo Road, Kingston 10 or the nearest Jamaican High Commission/Embassy or Consulate along with all the required supporting document
6. Pay the required non-refundable application fee. Note that local payments will only be accepted in Jamaican dollars
7. After payment, you will be issued a receipt of your application and then the application will be forwarded for processing by the PICA’s relevant authorities
8. Once processed a certificate of citizenship will be issued to you which you can collect in person or send an authorized representative to collect it on your behalf
9. Applications from abroad will be sent to your embassy where you submitted your application, from there your embassy can mail the certificate to you at a fee or you can collect it in person or via a representative

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Required Documents

For application by Decent

• Complete application form
• Original Birth Certificate
• Original Father’s or Mother’s Birth Certificate or Certificate of Jamaican Citizenship or Adoption Certificate issued by the Registrar General's Department (RGD)
• Photograph Identification
• Two (2) passport-sized photographs certified by either a Justice of the Peace, Commissioner of Oaths, Notary Public, Lawyer, or Doctor. (Your name along with the name, number, and signature of the certifying officer and the certification date no older than 6 months should be included) No embossed seal.
• Marriage Certificate (where applicable)
• Valid ID (If adult 18 years and older)
• Jamaican parent’s government-issued ID (Valid Passport or Driver’s Licence); if the application is for a minor
• Court issued document evidencing Legal Guardianship where applicable
• Official Change of Name Document (Court Order, Deed Polls registered through the court of the country’s records office, etc.) where applicable

All documents must be originals. Laminated documents will not be accepted. PICA reserves the right to request additional and/or updated information during the process of the application.

For application by Marriage

• Complete application form
• Official marriage certificate
• Husband and Wife’s Official Birth Certificate/Certificate of Jamaican Citizenship
• Husband and Wife’s Current Passport
• Decree Absolute (where applicable)
• Police Certificate from country of last Residence (previous to Jamaica)
• Official Change of Name Document – Court Order, Deed Polls registered through the court or the Country’s record office, etc. (where applicable)
• Two Passport sized photographs of the applicant certified by a Justice of the Peace, Notary Public, Commissioner of Oaths, or Consular Officer. The applicant’s name along with the name, number, and signature of the certifying officer and the certification date no older than 6 months should be included). No embossed seal.

For application by Naturalization

• Birth Certificate
• Passport on which you originally entered Jamaica
• Marriage Certificate where applicable
• Current Passport (if different)
• Work Permit card or Work Permit Exemption Certificate
• Evidence of Community activities in which you may have been involved e.g., Service Club, etc.
• Twopassport-sized photographs certified by a Justice of the Peace (Your name along with the name, number, and signature of the certifying officer and the certification date not older than 6 months should be included). No embossed seal.
• Tax Compliance Certificate (personal and business). If you or your spouse operates a wholesale income Tax filing is required.
• Verification of income (e.g., Last 3 payslips, company financial statements, pension statement, employment letter. These should not be older than 6 months).
• Recent Bank Statement (Should not be older than 6 months).

For Registration of Commonwealth Nationals

• Birth Certificate
• Passport on which you originally entered Jamaica
• Marriage Certificate where applicable
• Current Passport (if different)
• Work Permit card or Work Permit Exemption Certificate
• Evidence of Community activities in which you may have been involved e.g., Service Club, etc.
• Twopassport-sized photographs certified by a Justice of the Peace (Your name along with the name, number, and signature of the certifying officer and the certification date not older than 6 months should be included). No embossed seal.
• Tax Compliance Certificate (personal and business). If you or your spouse operates a wholesale income Tax filing is required.
• Verification of income (e.g., Last 3 payslips, company financial statements, pension statement, employment letter. These should not be older than 6 months).
• Recent Bank Statement (Should not be older than 6 months).

For Application for Citizenship in Case of Doubt

• Request letter
• A Statutory declaration stating that you a Jamaican national
• Birth certificate of two eldest children (if applicable)
• Marriage certificate (if applicable)
• School Record (if applicable)
• Baptismal record (if applicable)
• A letter from the Registrar General's Department(RGD) proving no record of your birth registration
• Two (2) passport-sized photographs certified by either a Justice of the Peace, Commissioner of Oaths, Notary Public, Lawyer, or Doctor. (Your name along with the name, number, and signature of the certifying officer and the certification date no older than 6 months should be included) No embossed seal.

For Registration of Minors

• Minor’s Birth Certificate
• Complete application form
• Minor’s Passport
• Parents’ Marriage Certificate where applicable
• Parents’ Passport
• Evidence of parents’ Jamaican Nationality (if a citizen of Jamaica)
• Work Permit of Parent/s where applicable
• Tax Compliance Certificate, Income Tax filing, valid Personal and Business Tax Compliance Certificate of the Parent if parent operates wholesale
• Recent School letter (should not be older than 6 months)
• Bank Statement for Parent(s) (should not be older than 6 months)
• Verification of Income for parents (e.g., employment letter, Company financial statements, pension statement, Last 3 Pay Slips). Should not be older than 6 months.
• Two passport-sized photographs of Minor, certified by either a Justice of the Peace, a Notary Public, or Commissioner of Oaths. (The applicant’s name along with the name, number, and signature of the certifying officer and the certification date (not older than 6 months should be included). No embossed seal.

Office Locations & Contacts

PICA’S HEAD OFFICE
25C Constant Spring Road Kingston 10
Telephone: 754 PICA or 754 7422
Fax: 906-4372
Email: [email protected]
Website: Link

CORPORATE OFFICE
8 Waterloo Road Kingston 10
Telephone: 754 PICA or 754 7422
Fax: 968-1121
Email: [email protected]
PICA’s office Location map and other branches:Link
Jamaican Embassies: Link

Eligibility

Application by Descent
You qualify for application by Decent Where:

• (i) You were born outside of Jamaica before the 6th August 1962

(ii)Your mother or father on the 6th August 1962 became or would have, but for his/her death, become a citizen of Jamaica.

• You were born outside Jamaica after the 5th August 1962 and your mother/father at the date of his/her birth is/was a citizen of Jamaica by Birth, Descent, or Registration by marriage to a Jamaican

An application may be submitted by:

• Adults acting in their own right to the application
• Parents on behalf of minor children
• Parents may submit applications on behalf of their adult child with his/her authorization
• Legal Guardian
• Attorneys making formal representation on behalf of the parent or legal guardian (Persons who hold law degrees and are not Attorneys may not submit applications on behalf of anyone).

Application by Marriage

• A non-national is eligible to make an application for citizenship by virtue of marriage if he or she is married to a Jamaican citizen.

Application by Naturalization The Naturalisation of Aliens to the Commonwealth requires that:

• The applicant should have attained the age of eighteenyears, should have lived in Jamaica for a minimum of fiveyears on aggregate and 12 months immediately preceding submission of the application and, be of good character.

Registration of Commonwealth Nationals

• A Commonwealth Citizen who has resided legitimately in Jamaica for at least five consecutive years, and is of good character, may make an application for registration as a Jamaican citizen. Please refer to this link to view the list of commonwealth nations: Link

Application for Citizenship in Case of Doubt

• Individuals, who have a claim to Jamaican Citizenship by birth, but have no documentary proof (e.g., Jamaican birth certificate) to support that claim. The applicant should also have evidence that unsuccessful efforts were made to secure a Birth Certificate from the Registrar General Department.

Fees

Application by Decent

• Local Application: Normal Service; J$10,000.00 for Expedited Service additional fee of J$5000.00(Total: J$15,000.00)
• Application form Abroad: US$100.00, CAD$110.00, GBP£60.00, EUR€75.00

Application by Marriage

• Local Application: a non-refundable fee of JMD$50,000.00.
• Application form Abroad: USD$260.00; CAD$290.00; GBP£155.00; EUR€222.00

Application by Naturalization

• Non-refundable processing fee of JMD$50,000.00

Registration of Commonwealth Nationals

• Processing fee: JMD$50.000.00

Application in Case of Doubt

• Local Application: a non-refundable fee of JMD$10,000.00
• Application form Abroad: USD$100.00; CAD$110.00; GBP£60.00; EUR€74.00

Registration of minors

• Local Application: a non-refundable fee of JMD$20,000.00
• Application form Abroad: USD$100.00; CAD$110.00; GBP£60.00; EUR€75.00

Validity

• Citizenship is valid forever unless revoked by a court of law or renounced by an individual

Documents to Use

• Citizenship and Registration application forms: Link

Sample Documents

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Processing Time

• Application by Decent: Normal Service; 25 working days. Expedited Services: 15working days
• Minors registration: within 24 months
• Naturalization: within 24 months
• Application by Marriage: within 24 months
• In case of Doubt: within 24 months

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Instructions

Requirement for Photographs

• Two identical photographs
• Photographs should be taken in color with a matte or dull finish, against a plain background
• Applicants of light complexion should avoid wearing white clothing and should have photographs taken against a pastel shaded background
• Applicants of dark complexion should wear colored clothing and photographs should be taken against a white background.
• Applicants with grey or white hair should have their photograph taken against a pale blue or pastel background
• There must be no other person or object in the photograph
• There should be no background shadows
• A full-frontal pose is required
• There should be no creases or ink marks on the photograph
• Exposed shoulders and chest must be avoided
• Bright colored clothing is not recommended
• Eyeglasses should not have tinted lenses
• Heavy (thick) frames should be avoided
• Headgear is permitted only for religious purposes. Facial features including the outline of the face from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead must be clearly shown
• Photographs submitted with an application become the property of the Government of Jamaica. No embossed seal

The two passport-sized photographs should be certified by a consular officer, Justice of the Peace, Notary Public Commissioner of Oaths, Medical Doctor or lawyer. Certification should not be older than 6 months. Photographs must be dated. The name of the applicant along with the name, number, and signature of the certifying officer should be included.

Required Information

• Names
• Date of Birth
• Places of birth
• Parents information
• Contacts
• Address
• Reasons for application
• Declaration

Need for the Document

• Registration as a Jamaican citizen gives you the identity of the Jamaican national and you will be able to enjoy advantages given to Jamaican citizens like applying for a Jamaican passport among many more

Information which might help

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Other uses of the Document/Certificate

Please explain what are other uses of obtaining this document/certificate.
e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

External Links

• PICA: Link

Others

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