Jamaican citizens who live in the United States should check their passports to ensure that they are valid early during their trip-planning process. If you find that your passport is expired -- or will expire during your trip -- you need to renew your it. To apply for a passport renewal, round up the required documents and submit them to the nearest Jamaican embassy so you won't face unnecessary delays.
Print the passport renewal application from a Jamaican consulate website, or pick up a copy at your nearest Jamaican consulate or embassy. Fill out the form accurately and neatly. The Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) is able to provide Jamaicans with secure passports largely because of the accuracy of the information that is provided. If you provide false information or your form cannot be read, you could face a delay or denial in getting your passport renewed.
The Jamaican government requires that you submit two identical color photos along with your renewal materials. The photos must be professional, and cannot be digitized. The size of the photographs should be 25 millimeters by 35 millimeters, with a margin of 3 millimeters between your head and the outside of the photo. You cannot wear a top without sleeves, and your hair must be out of your face.
Visit a notary public and have one of your passport photos notarized. It is important that they do not use a n embossed seal on the photo. You also must have Section G on your passport renewal application notarized.
Mail your completed application along with your two passport photos, passport renewal application fee and your expired Jamaican passport to the nearest Jamaican consulate or embassy. Three Jamaican consulates in the U.S. handle passport renewals: the Consulate General of Jamaica, Miami; the Consulate General of Jamaica, New York; and the Embassy of Jamaica in Washington, D.C.
Things You Will Need
As of the date of publication, an adult passport renewal costs $110, and a child's costs $80.
If you need to have your name or information changed on your new passport because of marriage, divorce or the loss of your spouse, provide a certified copy of your marriage license, your spouse's death certificate or a divorce judgment. Photocopies are not acceptable.
The processing time for a passport renewal is four to six weeks.
Ginger Yapp has been writing professionally since 2006, specializing in travel and film topics. Her work has appeared in such publications as "USA Today" and online at Hotels.com. Yapp also has experience writing and editing for a small California newspaper. She earned her B.A. in film and media studies and has worked as an ESL teacher at an international school.
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