Dear Claudienne

I went into the passport office in Kingston on two occasions (June and July of this year ) as I attempted to renew my old passport. In early September a relative went with her ID and an authorisation letter from me to collect the passport on my behalf but did not get it. When asked where I was, she told them that I was overseas. She was told that I would have to collect it myself when I returned to Jamaica or that I could request the passport office to send it to a Jamaican consulate in the United States. I am actually in the US and will be back in Jamaica, but don’t have a travel date at this point.

However, the JIS link on the internet that sets out what is needed for someone to collect a passport on behalf of an applicant does not state this.

The JIS website www.jis.gov.jm/faq/how-to-apply-for-a-jamaican-passport states the following on passport renewal:

“A passport may be renewed if: expired; there are no more pages for visas; or the holder has changed his or her name.

An applicant should submit the following documents:

*A certified application form (forms are available from the PICA offices or from their website, www.pica.gov.jm);

* Current Passport;

*Two (2) Passport-sized photographs, one of which must be certified;

*Birth Certificate/Adoption register/ Certificate of Citizenship;

*Marriage Certificate (for women using married name);

*Application Fee of $4,500.

The application process takes seven working days for applications made through the Kingston office and 14 working days, for applications made through the Montego Bay Office. If collecting the passport in person, the applicant is expected to show the receipt received when the application was made. If collecting on behalf of another person, a letter signed by the applicant and a copy of the applicant’s ID must accompany the receipt.”

Incidentally, there is also a similar posting at the passport office.

Could you ask the Passport Office to clarify this matter for me.

PR

Dear PR

According to the Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA), the passport should not be in the possession of anyone else but the holder of the passport.

PICA responded to a query from Tell Claudienne as follows:

“Note that typically, applicants for passports can collect their document when they present their receipt. If they are unable to pick up the document in person then they may authorise someone in writing to collect on their behalf. The letter must state that they have given permission to the bearer to collect their passport and must bear his or her signature. Additionally, the bearer must present the applicant’s ID and receipt. The bearer must also present an ID.

Though all this was done by the applicant referred to in your query, we could not turn over her passport to her relative as the applicant had returned to the United States.

“Note that any applicant who authorises another person to collect their passport from the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency, must be in the island when the document is being issued. Otherwise, they could request that their passport be sent to the nearest Jamaican Consulate.

“This is a safeguard for the applicant and minimises the likelihood of it being confiscated by Customs/Immigration or any opportunity for identity theft. Additionally, the Jamaican passport is the property of the government of Jamaica and should not be sent across borders by post.

As such the applicant may collect her passport upon her return to the island or she may request that we deliver the document to the nearest Jamaican Mission.

Regarding the applicant’s complaint about being misled by information from our office, note that information disseminated is typically on the general requirement for obtaining a service. Her specific situation is not the norm and our officers would normally advise customers on matters occurring outside of standard procedures.

“Nevertheless, we will adjust the information that is put out by our office to address similar situations in the future and apologise for the misunderstanding.

Please contact PICA immediately and make arrangements for your passport to be sent to you.

Good luck.

Have a problem with a store, utility, a company: telephone 936-9436 or write to: Tell Claudienne c/o Sunday Finance, Jamaica Observer, 40-42 1/2 Beechwood Avenue, Kingston 5; or e-mail: edwardsc@jamaicaobserver.com. Please include a contact phone number.