Jamaica Passport Guide — Apply, Fees, Renewal
Jamaican passports are issued by the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA). This guide collects what PICA's own site states — who can apply and how, the fee table, processing times, rush and expedited options, renewal, children's rates and the photo rules. Verified against pica.gov.jm, October 2026. Where PICA publishes no figure, this page says so rather than guessing.
Who can get a Jamaican passport
PICA states the eligibility rule plainly:
“Jamaican passports are issued to Citizens of Jamaica this is in accordance with the Passport Act (1962) and Passport Regulations (1962 last amended December 22, 2013). All passport applicants are required to submit Proof of Citizenship and Identity to an authorised officer.”
How to apply
PICA sets out the channels and the steps:
“Each customer may be required to visit one of PICA’s local offices, online platform (adult only) or for overseas customers, a Jamaican Consulate/High Commission nearest to him/her, to submit an application.”
- The application form may be completed online, then printed and taken to a certifying official, after which you present it with the required documents to the office most convenient to you.
- Renewal applications may be mailed to any Jamaican High Commission/Consulate nearest the applicant, or locally to 25 Constant Spring Road, Kingston 10.
- The online platform is for adult applicants; children's applications are handled at an office or consulate.
Proof of citizenship: original birth certificate or adoption certificate; if born outside Jamaica, a certificate of registration, naturalization, or a letter of certification or citizenship. Proof of identity: driver’s licence, voter’s ID or work/student ID, subject to approval by the Passport Officer, and two photographs, one of which should be certified by the Certifying Official who signed the form.
See the Jamaica passport documents checklist for the paperwork list.
Fees
PICA’s published fee table (effective Monday, June 1, 2015) lists local fees in Jamaican dollars and overseas fees in US dollars and pounds sterling:
| Adult regular | JA$6,500 — US$80 — £50 |
| Adult replacement | JA$11,500 — US$160 — £100 |
| Minor regular | JA$4,000 — US$50 — £30 |
| Minor replacement | JA$7,000 — US$100 — £50 |
Payments for local applications should be paid in Jamaican dollars; a consulate may add its own processing and remittance fee. The fee table carries the effective date June 1, 2015 — check PICA’s fees page for any later change before you pay.
Processing times
Standard processing, per the fee table:
- Kingston — 7 working days
- Montego Bay — 14 working days
- Portmore & May Pen tax offices — 11 and 14 days respectively
- Overseas applications — 20 working days upon receipt in Kingston
Rush and expedited options
PICA lists premium tiers that shorten the wait (local fees shown):
| Adult — Rush 3 working days | JA$9,500 |
| Adult — Rush next day | JA$11,500 |
| Adult — Rush same day | JA$16,500 |
| Minor — Rush 3 working days | JA$6,000 |
| Minor — Rush next day | JA$7,000 |
| Minor — Rush same day | JA$9,000 |
Expedited services are also offered at May Pen, Fairview, Mandeville, Portland and St. Ann’s Bay — for example, expedited adult regular at 5 days (JA$11,500) or 7 days (JA$9,500), and expedited minor regular at 5 days (JA$7,000) or 7 days (JA$6,000). The overseas columns are listed as N/A for the rush tiers — rush is a local option.
Renewal
PICA provides a dedicated adult renewal channel:
- ADULT PASSPORT RENEWAL PORTAL — the online portal at passport.pica-online.com
- Renewal applications may also be mailed to any Jamaican High Commission/Consulate near the applicant, or locally to 25 Constant Spring Road, Kingston 10
Children and minors
Minors have their own, lower fee band. A minor regular passport is JA$4,000 / US$50 / £30, and a minor replacement is JA$7,000 / US$100 / £50; minor rush tiers run JA$6,000–9,000. For a minor’s certified copy, PICA asks for the parent’s photo ID alongside the child’s certified passport-sized photograph. Minors apply at an office or consulate rather than through the adult online platform.
The passport photo
PICA requires two photographs, “one of which should be certified by the Certifying Official who signed the application form”. PICA’s passport photo poster specifies the format:
- 45 mm × 35 mm print
- Face taking up 65–75% of the photo
- Head length 25–35 mm
- At least 2 mm of space above the head
- A plain, light background
- 1200 dpi recommended for a sharp print
Compare against the Jamaica passport photo page, set the background with the backgrounds guide, and check a finished file with the passport photo checker.
Not published by PICA
Two things this guide does not state, because PICA’s pages do not publish them: the number of years a Jamaican passport is valid (a 5- or 10-year term is not given on the pages checked), and a dedicated dual-citizenship rule for passport holders. If you need either point confirmed, ask PICA directly rather than relying on an unofficial figure. The pages do set out the citizenship application categories and their processing times, including Citizenship by Descent (25 working days) and Registration (Minors).
60-second Jamaica checklist
- ☐ Confirm you are a Jamaican citizen and have proof of citizenship and identity
- ☐ Complete the form online (adults) or at an office/consulate, then have it certified
- ☐ Take two photographs, one certified by the Certifying Official
- ☐ Adult regular fee is JA$6,500 / US$80 / £50; minor regular JA$4,000 / US$50 / £30
- ☐ Standard time: Kingston 7 working days, Montego Bay 14, overseas 20
- ☐ Want it faster? Rush and expedited tiers are available locally
- ☐ Renewing an adult passport? Use the PICA renewal portal or post to Kingston 10
Frequently asked questions
Who issues Jamaican passports?
The Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA). It states that passports are issued to Citizens of Jamaica in accordance with the Passport Act (1962) and Passport Regulations.
How much is a Jamaican passport?
Per PICA’s fee table: adult regular JA$6,500 / US$80 / £50, adult replacement JA$11,500 / US$160 / £100, minor regular JA$4,000 / US$50 / £30, and minor replacement JA$7,000 / US$100 / £50.
How long does a Jamaican passport take?
Kingston 7 working days, Montego Bay 14, Portmore and May Pen 11 and 14 days respectively, and overseas applications 20 working days upon receipt in Kingston.
Can I get a Jamaican passport faster?
Yes. PICA lists rush tiers (3 working days, next day and same day) and expedited services at May Pen, Fairview, Mandeville, Portland and St. Ann’s Bay. Rush is listed as local-only (overseas columns are N/A).
How do I renew a Jamaican passport?
Adults can use PICA’s ADULT PASSPORT RENEWAL PORTAL, or mail the application to a Jamaican High Commission/Consulate or, locally, to 25 Constant Spring Road, Kingston 10.
What photo does PICA require?
Two photographs, one certified by the Certifying Official. The photo poster specifies a 45 × 35 mm print with the face 65–75% of the frame, head length 25–35 mm and a plain light background.
How long is a Jamaican passport valid?
PICA’s pages checked do not publish the validity period, so no official number of years can be quoted here.
Source note: eligibility, the application process and the two-photograph rule are from pica.gov.jm/passport/general-information and pica.gov.jm; the fee table, processing times and rush/expedited tiers are from pica.gov.jm/passport/fees; the renewal portal and office network are from pica.gov.jm/passport; the photo format is from PICA’s passport photo poster (checked October 2026).
Related: the Jamaica passport documents checklist, the Jamaica passport photo page, and the full photo size chart. If a photo has been refused, see the rejection reasons guide.