Lost Your Jamaican Birth Certificate? How to Get a Replacement (2026)

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Quick Summary

* A lost Jamaican birth certificate is replaced by ordering a new certified copy from the civil registry (the former Registrar General's Department, now part of PICA).

* You can apply online or in person; you'll need the person's full name at birth, date and parish of birth, and parents' names.

* If the copy is for use abroad (citizenship, visas, marriage), you'll probably also need an apostille.

First: you don't "reissue" the old one

Jamaica keeps the original birth registration. When a certificate is lost, damaged or the old short form isn't accepted, you simply order a fresh certified copy from the registry. Most foreign authorities now want a recent certified copy anyway, so this is often the right move even if the old one turns up.

What you need to apply

• Full name at birth (as registered)
• Date of birth and parish/place of birth
• Mother's full maiden name and father's name (if registered)
• The entry number, if you have it — helpful but not required (where to find it)
• Your ID and payment method

How to replace a lost Jamaican birth certificate

1. Apply online through the official civil registration portal, or visit a registry office in Jamaica.
2. Choose the service level (regular or express) and the delivery option. Fees vary by speed — check current rates on the official site.
3. Pay and keep the reference number.
4. Collect or receive by courier. Overseas delivery is available but can be slow and expensive.
5. Check it immediately — names, dates and parents' names. Corrections are far easier before you submit it anywhere.

If you need it for use overseas

US, Canadian, UK and EU authorities may require the certificate to be apostilled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kingston. You must get the certified copy first, then the apostille — and both happen in Jamaica. See our birth certificate apostille guide.

When the birth was never registered or details are wrong

Late registrations and corrections (e.g. a misspelled name or missing father's name) are separate processes that need supporting evidence and can take months. Start these before booking travel or filing immigration paperwork.

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Abroad and need it fast? Our Birth Certificate + Apostille service ($219 USD for a certified birth certificate + apostille + DHL; apostille-only from $149) orders your certified copy, gets the apostille in Kingston and ships it to you by tracked DHL, with WhatsApp scans along the way. Start your order.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I replace a lost Jamaican birth certificate from the USA, UK or Canada?

Yes. Online applications with overseas delivery are possible. If you also need an apostille, it's usually faster to have someone in Kingston handle both steps.

Is a photocopy of my old certificate valid?

Not for official use. Agencies want a certified copy issued by the registry.