Guyana does not renew passports: you apply for a new one. And the trigger comes earlier than most people expect — anyone whose passport has less than six months of validity left, or has expired, is required to apply. Eligibility is broad: citizens by birth, descent, registration or naturalisation.
Quick facts
Be aware of a genuine inconsistency in the official sources. The New York consulate’s page states passports are valid for five years and are not renewable, while the electronic passport launched in 2025 gives applicants a choice of five or ten years. Confirm which applies to your application before paying.
Fees breakdown
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Passport | Published consular fee | Paid in U.S. dollars at missions |
| Replacement, lost or destroyed | $175 | A flat charge, not an add-on |
| Birth registration abroad | $20 | Cash, card or money order |
| National identity card | Charged in Guyana | Needed for a first passport |
| Fire report | From the fire department | Where a passport burned |
That last one is unusual enough to mention: where a passport was destroyed in a fire, some missions require a fire department report, which takes time to obtain.
How to apply
- Check whether you hold a national identity card; without one, that comes first.
- Complete the application form, available from the consulate or its website.
- Order your birth certificate from the General Register Office in Guyana if you do not have the original.
- Have photographs taken to the exact specification below.
- Bring originals and copies of every supporting document.
- Attend for biometric capture and pay the fee.
Required documents
- Completed application form, signed.
- Current passport, original plus a photocopy of the data page.
- Original birth certificate from the General Register Office, or a certificate of registration or naturalisation.
- Valid photo identification and a photocopy.
- Proof of U.S. address, such as a utility bill or lease.
- Marriage certificate or registered deed poll where your name has changed.
Where to apply
At the embassy in Washington or the consulate general in New York, which serves the large Guyanese community of the greater New York area.
Additional notes
Photographs are the commonest reason files stall
Between 32 by 26 mm and 45 by 35 mm, plain white background with no colour tint or shadows, taken within the last six months, no glasses. And a requirement I have not seen anywhere else: the New York consulate’s published specification states that earrings or studs are not accepted on male applicants’ photographs.
Applicants under sixteen
They must be accompanied by at least one parent or guardian, who presents a notarised affidavit from the absent parent stating that the child is in the custody of the parent making the application, or documentation attesting to guardianship.
Deed polls
A deed poll must be registered and accompanied by a recent birth certificate showing the name change. An unregistered one will not do.
Renew early if you travel
Many countries require six months of passport validity on entry, which is exactly the point at which Guyana requires a new application.