Individuals must present a valid passport to prove their identity and travel internationally. If you are holding a Jamaican passport abroad and it is about to expire or will expire, you can renew it through the overseas consular office. This article will discuss how to renew a Jamaican passport in the United States.
Who Is Eligible to Renew Jamaican Passport in the USA
All Jamaican citizens are eligible to renew their passports in the USA as long as they can prove their Jamaican citizenship and provide the necessary supporting documents. If you claim Jamaican Citizenship by descent, your claim must have been approved before submitting a Jamaican passport renewal application.
Required Documents for Jamaican Passport Renewal in the USA
Applicants must submit a variety of documents to renew passports in the USA. Please note that they might be a little different for adults and minors.
Required Documents for Adults
- A duly accomplished passport application form.
- Proof of Jamaican citizenship, such as a birth certificate, certificate of naturalization, citizenship certificate, certificate of registration, or adoption certificate.
- The most current Jamaican passport (either valid or expired).
- Two (2) identical passport photographs. One must be certified by the same person who certifies your application. Overseas applicants can be certified by a Justice of the Peace, attorney-at-law, notary public, doctor, or a minister of religion authorized to perform marriages. The official must write an inscription saying that “I certify that this is a true photograph of [the applicant’s name]”, note the date of certification, and sign on the back of the photograph.
- Proof of name change (if applicable), such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, deed poll, or a court order that confirms the name change.
Required Documents for Minors
- A duly accomplished passport application form.
- Proof of Jamaican citizenship.
- Existing Jamaican passport.
- Two (2) identical passport photographs with one of them certified.
- Identity document of parent(s), such as passport, national voter’s ID, driver’s license, or other state government-issued ID.
- Written consent from parent(s) or legal guardian(s).
- Proof of legal guardianship, such as a court order (required when the minor is accompanied by a guardian).
How to Renew Jamaican Passport in the USA
Adults can file a Jamaican passport renewal online or at the Jamaican embassy while minors can only renew a passport in person.
How to Renew Jamaican Passport Online
Online renewal is available for machine-readable passports (with a passport number starting with letter A and issued after 2001). Your passport should be expired or will expire in one year, have no change in name or marital status, and is not lost. You can also check your eligibility and renew online through the steps below.
- Visit the ADULT PASSPORT RENEWAL System and click on “START NEW APPLICATION”.
- Answer all the yes-or-no questions to confirm your eligibility to renew your Jamaican passport online.
- If you are confirmed to be eligible, you will be directed to the search page. Enter your name, date of birth, certificate number, and current passport number. Click on the black question mark at the end of each field to learn about how to fill it out.
- Click on “Start Application” to create an application. You will be asked to provide valid contact information and other necessary documents. Review the information that you have filled. Submit the applications and pay online if there is nothing wrong.
How to Renew Jamaican Passport In-person
To renew a Jamaican passport in person in the USA, you should submit the application form along with the required documents at the Jamaican embassy or consulate. Mail-in applications are also available, so please contact the consular office for more detailed information. Here is an instruction on in-person Jamaican passport renewal.
Locate the Nearby Consular Office
There are dozens of diplomatic representative offices of Jamaica in the United States. You can find them on the portal of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. Here is a list of Jamaican embassies and general consulates in the USA. Each of them has jurisdiction over different states.
| Consular Office | Address | Contact | Service Areas |
| Embassy of Jamaica | 1520 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036 | Telephone: (202) 452-0660 Facsimile:(202) 452-0670/0036 | California Virginia Maryland Washington District of Columbia Turks & Caicos1 |
| Consulate General of Jamaica in New York | 300 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017 | Tel: (212) 935-9000 Fax: (212) 935-7507. Online inquiry | Other states |
| Consulate General of Jamaica in Miami | Courthouse Tower44 West Flagler StreetSuite 400 Miami, FL 33130 | Phone – 305.374.8431Fax – 305.577.4970 Email: contactus @ jamaicacgmiami.org | Alabama Arizona Arkansas Florida Georgia Louisiana Mississippi New Mexico North Carolina Oklahoma South Carolina Tennessee Texas Bahamas Cayman Islands |
Make an Appointment
Some consulates accept walk-in applications while some require a prior booking. You can schedule an appointment online in most cases. In this section, we will take Jamaica Consulate General in New York as an example.
- Go to the Passport Appointment System. Click on “APPLICATION FOR PASSPORT” and then “MAKE APPOINTMENT”.
- Choose a desired date and time slot on the calendar. Only the date with an circle means there are available slots.
- Provide your personal information and confirm the booking. Fields marked as “Required” must be filled, including name, email, address, mobile number, service for appointment, number of applications, etc.
- Click on the “Confirm Booking” at the end and save the appointment information.
Attend the Appointment
Go to the selected consular office as scheduled with original and certified copies of the required documents. You will submit the applications and pay the renewal fees at the counter. If renewing a child’s passport, at least one parent or legal guardian is required to present at the appointment along with the minor.
How Much to Renew a Jamaican Passport in the USA
It costs USD $120 to renew a Jamaican adult’s passport and USD $90 for a minor’s. The renew Jamaican passport fee can be paid in cash or debit card. If you apply by mail, payment through a money order payable to the Consulate General of Jamaica is also acceptable. There might be extra fees for mail-in applications and debit card payments.
How Long Will I Receive the New Passport?
The waiting time depends on how you renew the Jamaican passport. Online renewal takes 3-20 business days while in-person renewal usually takes about 10 weeks. All applications will be sent and processed at the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA), in Kingston, Jamaica. If you are in urgent need of a new passport, you can pay extra fees for expedited services.
How to Make Jamaican Passport Photo Online
As proof of identity check, 2 colored passport photos taken recently, ideally the last 6 months, are needed. Unlike life photos, they must comply with a set of official guidelines. The good news is that you can make it at home through the following tips.
Understand Jamaican Passport Photo Requirements
A qualified passport photo must measure 35mm (width) x 45mm (height) showing the applicant’s full head and shoulder against a white background. The person must wear casual clothes that cover the shoulders. All facial features must be exposed, so tinted glasses and head coverings (unless for religious purposes) are not allowed. There must not be any shadows, noises, or creases.
Take Jamaican Passport Pictures at Home
You can take a photo at home with a smartphone or digital camera with high-definition lenses. Find a place with well-lit and sufficient lighting. Face the light source and stand or sit about 4-5 feet (1.2-1.5 meters) away from the camera. If no one else helps you, use a tripod to hold the camera because selfies will be rejected. Show a neutral facial expression with eyes open and mouth closed. When everything is ready, capture a few shots from different angles and positions.
Convert your Picture to Jamaican Passport Photos Online
Choose the best photo and upload it on AiPassportPhotos, an online passport photo maker. It will automatically tune it to the required photo size and background color.
The process is quite efficient while ensuring photo conformity with all official requirements. Last but not least, download a digital template for free. If you are applying in person, print it out at a retail store or pharmacy, such as Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, etc.
FAQ
Where can I submit my Jamaican passport renewal application in the USA?
You can submit it online or at the Jamaican consulate/embassy in the USA. But note that only adult passports can be renewed online.
Can I renew my Jamaican passport by mail in the USA?
Yes. The embassy of Jamaica in Washington, DC allows both in-person and mail-in applications, for example.
Is my expired Jamaican passport valid for travel back to Jamaica?
You might be allowed to enter Jamaica on an expired passport if you can prove your identity and citizenship through other government IDs, but you are not allowed to leave a country with an invalid passport. Therefore, it is suggested to renew a Jamaican passport or obtain an emergent travel document before traveling.
How to check the status of my Jamaican passport renewal online?
Go to the “CHECK STATUS” section on the ADULT PASSPORT RENEWAL system and provide your full name, date of birth, and application number.
Conclusion
All Jamaican citizens can file a Jamaican passport renewal in the US as long as they present valid identification and citizenship documents. Adults can renew their Jamaican passports online or at the embassy/consulate while minors under 18 must present in person. It is advised to renew the passport a few weeks in advance because an expired passport will cause much inconvenience to your life in a foreign country and international travel.