Jamaican civil records are held by the Registrar General’s Department in Jamaica, which issues birth, marriage and death certificates and accepts applications from abroad. The missions in the United States do not keep a parallel register; what they do is process the citizenship files that depend on those records.
Quick facts
The birth certificate is the document on which the whole Jamaican system rests. It is required for a passport, for citizenship applications and for registering a child born abroad.
Fees breakdown
| Service | Cost | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Birth, marriage or death certificate | Charged in Jamaica | Registrar General’s Department |
| Citizenship application | Consular tariff | Mission, dedicated appointment |
| U.S. certificate of the event | $15–$50 | State vital records office |
| Apostille of the U.S. certificate | $3–$25 | Secretary of State |
| Courier both ways | Carrier’s charge | Originals must travel |
Where a father’s name does not appear on a Jamaican birth certificate, that affects what the child can claim and what consents a minor’s passport needs. It is worth checking the certificate before assuming.
How to file
- Order the Jamaican certificate from the Registrar General’s Department, which accepts overseas applications.
- Order the U.S. certificate from the state office where the event happened.
- Have the U.S. document apostilled if it will be used in Jamaica.
- Book the citizenship appointment at the mission, using the form for that service.
- Attend with originals, never laminated or scanned.
- Keep certified copies of everything for the passport application that follows.
Required documents
- Jamaican birth certificate of the parent, original.
- Child’s U.S. birth certificate naming both parents.
- Parents’ marriage certificate where applicable.
- Valid photo identification.
- Proof of any name change.
- Completed forms for the specific service.
Where to file
Certificates from Jamaica; citizenship files at the mission covering your area.
Jamaican Consulate in Los Angeles
View details →ChicagoConsulate General of Jamaica
View details →MiamiConsulate General of Jamaica
View details →New YorkConsulate General of Jamaica
View details →New YorkPermanent Mission of Jamaica
View details →OaklandConsulate General of Jamaica
View details →Sandy SpringsJamaican Consulate Atlanta
View details →WashingtonEmbassy of Jamaica
View details →Additional notes
Order the certificate first
Everything else waits on it, and requests from overseas take longer than counter requests in Jamaica.
Consent for minors
An unmarried applicant under 18 needs the written consent of the mother, the father where his name is on the birth certificate, or a legal guardian. Where neither is available, the mission or the agency advises on alternatives.
Deed poll and name changes
Jamaican practice uses the deed poll for name changes, and it is one of the documents accepted as proof. Keep the original.
No laminating
It is worth repeating because it is so often the reason a file is rejected outright.