Having an up-to-date passport is important for proving your citizenship status and for travel in between countries. If your Jamaican passport has expired and you are in the United States, you can renew it by following the Jamaican consulate's official instructions. Passports are issued overseas from the passport office in Kingston, so make sure everything is filled out correctly to ensure an efficient processing time.

Collect the required documents: your expired Jamaican passport, a completed passport application form, two identical, color passport photos and an original birth certificate. Where applicable, you will also need an original marriage certificate, original death certificate, original adoption register or divorce judgment. If you were born abroad, you also need to submit either your certificate of naturalization, letter of certificate of citizenship or certificate of registration. If the applicant is a minor, his parents or legal guardians must also provide their IDs and a letter of guardianship.

Get your application and one of your passport photos signed and verified by a notary public. Your application also can be signed by a Jamaican Honorary Consul or Jamaican Diplomatic/Consular Officer.

Get a money order from the post office or a certified check from your bank to cover the application fees. You may not send a personal check. As of August 2010, adult renewals cost $110 and renewals for minors cost $80. Those fees include a $30 FedEx charge for shipping the passport back within two business days after processing is complete. Make the official checks payable to the Embassy of Jamaica or to the Consulate General of Jamaica.

Mail all of your forms, pictures and payments to one of the following:

Embassy of Jamaica 1520 New Hampshire Ave. N.W. Washington D.C. 20036 202-452-0660

Consulate General of Jamaica 767 Third Ave. New York, NY 10017 212-935-9000

Consulate General of Jamaica 842 Ingraham Building 25 S.E. Second Ave. Miami, FL 33131 305-374-8431

Drop your paperwork off directly at one of the consulates or the embassy, if you reside close enough to one of the offices. If you hand-deliver your application, you may pay the fees in cash. Personal checks will still not be accepted.

Wait to receive your passport about four to six weeks from when your application is approved. Processing times vary, but if you do not receive it after four weeks, you may contact the consulate for an update on its status.

Tip

  • Because processing times vary, do not make travel plans before receiving your renewed passport. If you do not get your passport in time, you may have to cancel your trip.

Tip

  • All documents must be originals, not photocopies, or your application will be rejected and returned.

About the Author

Based in New York City, Alex Taylor has been writing culture, travel and science articles since 2004. Her articles have appeared in "Boston" magazine, “The Boston Globe” and "CITY" magazine. Taylor holds a Bachelor of Science in journalism and international relations from Boston University.

Photo Credits

  • jamaica flag button image by Andrey Zyk from Fotolia.com
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