Civil Records for Jamaica citizens in the United States — 2026

Civil records registration means registering births, marriages and deaths that occurred in the United States with the Jamaica authorities. Essential for citizens of Jamaica living abroad whose family events happen in the U.S.

Jamaica consulates processing civil records

What can be registered?

• Birth registration: children of Jamaica parents born in the U.S. can be registered as Jamaica nationals
• Marriage registration: marriages of Jamaica citizens (or mixed marriages) celebrated in the U.S.
• Death registration: death of Jamaica nationals in the U.S.
• Divorce registration: U.S. divorce decrees for those married in Jamaica

Required documents

• Original U.S. vital record (birth/marriage/death certificate)
• Apostille from the Secretary of State of the issuing state
• Certified translation to the official language of Jamaica
• Passport and ID of the Jamaica citizens involved
• Application form completed

How to register

Most Jamaica consulates require an appointment to file civil records. The consulate then forwards the registration to the Jamaica civil registry office.

Some consulates accept mail-in applications for civil records. Check the official site of your consulate.

Costs and processing times

Registration fees: typically free or $10-$50 per record. Processing time at the consulate: 2-4 weeks; final registration in Jamaica can take additional months.