Jamaica: Update to JAM36418.E of 16 February 2001 on whether a foreigner who has never lived in Jamaica but is married to a Jamaican woman can obtain Jamaican citizenship; if so, the procedure to follow to obtain Jamaican citizenship, the documents required, and whether the application for citizenship can be denied; a copy of the Jamaican Nationality Act
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 17 September 2003 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | JAM41858.FE |
| Reference | 1 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Jamaica: Update to JAM36418.E of 16 February 2001 on whether a foreigner who has never lived in Jamaica but is married to a Jamaican woman can obtain Jamaican citizenship; if so, the procedure to follow to obtain Jamaican citizenship, the documents required, and whether the application for citizenship can be denied; a copy of the Jamaican Nationality Act, 17 September 2003, JAM41858.FE, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/403dd1fbc.html [accessed 4 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
According to a report of the United States Office of Personnel Management, Investigations Service, entitled Citizenship Laws of the World, a foreigner married to a woman who is a Jamaican citizen can apply for Jamaican citizenship (United States Mar. 2001, 102). According to the Website of the Jamaican High Commission in London, to obtain Jamaican citizenship by marriage, the person concerned must apply in writing to the Ministry of National Security and Justice (Jamaica n.d.a). The time for processing an application for citizenship is approximately one year (ibid.).
The Website of the Jamaican High Commission in New York indicated that persons applying for citizenship by marriage must submit a letter to the Minister of National Security and Justice requesting registration as a citizen of Jamaica, along with a completed Application R1 Form; two photographs; a certified copy of their passport, birth certificate, and marriage certificate; a certified copy of their spouse's birth certificate and Jamaican passport; a recent police record; and an international money order in the amount of 7,000 Jamaican dollars [approximately CDN$162 (Canada 16 Sept. 2003)] (ibid. n.d.b).
According Act No. 19 of 1999, Jamaican authorities can deny an application for citizenship by marriage if the applicant has been convicted in any country of an offence involving violence, fraud or dishonesty, or the production or sale of drugs; or an offence punishable with imprisonment for a term of two years or more (ibid. 26 Mar. 1999). A copy of this Act was attached to JAM33246.F of 10 December 1999.
A copy of the Jamaican Nationality Act could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Canada. 16 September 2003. Bank of Canada. Currency Converter.
Jamaica. 26 March 1999. An Act to Amend the Constitution of Jamaica to Provide for Matters Relating to Citizenship. Document received by fax from the Jamaican High Commission in Ottawa.
_____. n.d.a. Jamaican High Commission in London. "Registration as a Citizen of Jamaica by Virtue of Marriage."
_____. n.d.b. Jamaican High Commission in New York. "Citizenship and Permanent Residency in Jamaica."
United States. March 2001. Office of Personnel Management, Investigations Service. Citizenship Laws of the World.
Additional Sources Consulted
IRB Databases
Jamaican High Commission in Ottawa
Internet sites, including:
Jamaica Gleaner [Kingston]
Jamaica Observer [Kingston]
Ministry of National Security and Justice
Supreme Court of Jamaica
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
