GENERAL INFORMATION
As the Jamaican government continues to strive to protect you, your new Jamaican passport will be biometric. This means that the passport will have an embedded electronic microprocessor chip which can be used to verify the identity of the passport holder and is machine readable.
All passports are issued from our colleagues at the Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA), which is located in Jamaica. The consulate facilitates the application process, but PICA is the final authority. If you are in Panama and wish to renew your passport, the application must be submitted to PICA from the consulate. If you submit it to PICA directly, PICA will reject the application and then refer you to the consulate, causing delay in the processing of your application.
In order to make sure your application is not delayed because of mistakes, please read and follow the instructions detailed below. PICA is reliant on the accuracy of the information you provide. If any of the information that is asked for is inaccurate or missing, your application may be delayed or be referred for further review and investigation.
If after reading the details below you are unsure of how to complete the form, please obtain an appointment at the consulate, and advice and assistance will be provided when you visit our offices.
Renewal of passport
Applicants must submit the following documents:
- Completed passport application form .
- Two identical colour photographs
- Expired passport
- Original birth certificate
- Original marriage certificate, where applicable
- Certified translation of marriage certificate, where applicable
- Divorce decree, where applicable
If born outside of Jamaica, in addition to the birth certificate, please submit one of the following:
- Certificate of naturalization
- Letter of certificate of citizenship
- Certificate of registration
Instructions on completing the passport application form for renewal
If after reading the details below you are unsure of how to complete the form, do not worry as help is at hand – please obtain an appointment at the consulate, and further advice and assistance on completion of the form will be provided when you visit our offices.
Section A: must be fully completed by all applicants.
Section B: must be completed by both men and women who are or have been married, regardless of whether it is your intention to adopt the surname of your surname (women).
When signing the form on page 2, make sure your signature stays inside the box (not touching the lines of the box) and it is effectively the same as your signature at bottom of page 2 (Section E) of the application.
Section C: Please read and insert the information if it applies to you
Section D: make sure the correct information is supplied for your recent passport: Passport number, date of issue, and place of issue
Section E:
- Tick the middle box bearing the inscription “All previous passports granted to me have been surrendered…“, and again state your passport number on the line provided
- When signing at Section E, your signature must be closely identical to your signature in the signature box at the top of page 2 of the application form
- Make sure you write the date on which you completed the application form
Section F: Two emergency contacts must be supplied
Section G: If the applicant appears in person at the Consulate, then this section will be completed by the Honorary Consul
Section H: Must be completed if you are required to wear head covering for religious purposes
Section I: Must be completed by all applicants born outside of Jamaica
Lost/Stolen passport (Adults)
If after reading the details below you are unsure of how to complete the form, do not worry as help is at hand – please obtain an appointment at the consulate, and further advice and assistance on completion of the form will be provided when you visit our offices.
Applicants must submit the following documents:
- Completed passport application form
- Two identical colour photographs
- Original birth certificate
- Original marriage certificate, where applicable
- Original adoption register certificate, where applicable
- Divorce judgement, where applicable
- Panamanian police complaint report, detailing the circumstances of the loss/theft
- Certified translation into English of Panamanian police complaint report, detailing the circumstances of the loss/theft
If born abroad, in addition to the Birth Certificate, please submit one of the following:
- Certificate of naturalization
- Letter of certificate of citizenship
- Certificate of registration
In addition, ONE of the following supplementary documents must be presented:
- Jamaican driver’s license
- Cancelled Jamaican passport
- Jamaican voter’s registration card
- Work permit bearing a photograph from the country of residence
- Passport from country of residence
- Citizenship certificate from country of residence
Instructions on completing the passport application form to replace a lost/stolen passport
If after reading the details below you are unsure of how to complete the form, do not worry as help is at hand – please obtain an appointment at the consulate, and further advice and assistance on completion of the form will be provided when you visit our offices.
In order to make sure your application is not delayed because of mistakes, please follow the below instructions.
Section A: must be fully completed by all applicants.
Section B: must be completed by both men and women who are or have been married, regardless on whether it’s your intention to adopt your spouse’s surname (women).
When signing the form on page 2, make sure your signature stays inside the box (not touching the lines of the box) and it is closely identical to your signature at bottom of page 2 (Section E) of the application.
Section C: should be left blank.
Section D: make sure the correct information is supplied regarding your recent stolen, lost or damaged passport: Passport number, date of issue, place of issue and date of loss. In addition provide the name in which the stolen, lost or unavailable passport was issued.
Section E:
- Tick ” the box bearing the inscription “My passport has been lost or is not available for present use…“
- When signing at Section E, your signature must be closely identical to your signature in the signature box at the top of page 2 of the application
- Make sure you indicate the date on which you completed the application form
Section F: Two emergency contacts must be supplied
Section G: If the applicant appears in person at the consulate, then this section will be completed by the Honorary Consul
Section H: Must be completed if you are required to wear head covering for religious purposes
Section I: Must be completed by all applicants born outside of Jamaica
PHOTOGRAPHS
Photographs are very frequently rejected due to the very strict specifications by PICA not being followed correctly. If you do not follow the requirements this could lead to severe delay in the processing of your application for a Jamaican passport. It is recommended that you follow very carefully the guidelines below to ensure the submission of correct photographs.
Quantity
Applicants are required to submit two identical copies of a professional produced photograph, taken not more than six months prior to the application.
Specifications
- The photographs should be taken in colour with a matte/dull finish, against a plain background
- Applicants of light complexion should avoid wearing white clothing and should have the photographs taken against a pastel background
- Applicants of dark complexion should wear coloured clothing and have the photographs taken against a white background
- Applicants with grey/white hair should have the photographs taken against a pale blue or grey background
- There should be no eyeglasses and no background shadows
- Excessive light reflection on the image is unacceptable
- Light distribution should be even throughout the photograph
- Photographs should provide a full frontal view of the head, neck and top of shoulders with ears clearly visible as much as possible
- Photographs should display appropriately clad images; exposed shoulders and chest are to be avoided
- Applicants should wear no head covering. However, applicants who must wear head covering for religious reasons must indicate their religion at Section H
- The size of the face should be 25mm to 35mm, from the chin to top of head
- The photographs should be of high resolution quality
- Please have photographs taken at a professional photo studio
Photographs: common errors
- Shadow, either behind the ears or the head Too much contrast
- Hands in picture
- Glare on face (too much light/flash on face) Head leaning to one side
- Facial features not clearly visible
- Uneven distribution of light e.g. one side of face is darker than the other side
- Height of face in photo incorrect Open mouth, smiling or frowning Poor image quality photographs