The National Identification Card (NIC) is a simple, safe, and secure document to verify your identity.

All Jamaican Citizens and Ordinary Residents including children can enrol for a NIC.

During enrolment a random 9-digit number will be assigned to the applicant called the National Identification Number (NIN).

For person who already have a TRN, the NIN will use the existing TRN.

Once assigned, the National Identification Number will be linked to the enrolled individual even after death and will never be re-assigned.

Yes, children can enrol in the NIDS with the consent of their parents or guardians. Children can be assigned a National Identification Number (NIN) at birth.

Children can enrol from birth.

No. Enrolling for a National Identification Card is voluntary.

Yes. Enrolment for the NIC is FREE.

No cost to renew a NIC. A nominal fee will be applied to replace a missing card.

Yes. The ID card will be renewable every five years for persons under the age of 18 and every ten years for persons 18 years and older.

Only minimum information will be displayed on the ID card to protect your privacy.

On the front:

• The National Identification Number (NIN),

• the name of the Authority that issued the Card,

• the cardholder’s name,

• date of birth,

• facial image,

• signature and

• the nationality of the individual;

On the back:

• Parish/Place of Enrolment,

• Date of Issuance,

• Date of Expiration,

• The document number,

• Whether the individual is male or female as recorded on the individual’s birth certificate,

• The status of the cardholder (Citizen or Resident);

Only minimal biometric data comprising the facial image, fingerprints of both hands (where available) and a manual signature will be collected.

Your National Identification Card may be used to prove your identity and sign a document using the digital signature feature enabled by the Electronic Transaction Act.

Yes, as long as you were born and registered in Jamaica you can obtain a birth certificate by simply applying to the OR-G, NIRA for copies of the document.

You can apply for a copy of your birth certificate online or by visiting any one of our offices listed on the website.

For ease of processing, ensure that you have the following information for the person/child you are applying for:

• Full and correct spelling of name
• Sex (male/female)
• Date of birth
• Place of birth (name of hospital or location of home)
• Parish of birth
• Birth Entry Number
• Full and correct spelling of Mother’s name
• Full and correct spelling of Father’s name
• Date of Registration
• Place of Registration

The birth entry number is an alphanumeric code which identifies the registration of a person’s birth.  This code is used to determine the Parish and District where the person was born.  It is normally located to the top left-hand section of a birth certificate.

It is recommended that a child be registered within 12 months of birth.  However, if this was not done, we recommend that you visit any one of the OR-G, NIRA offices and speak with one of our Customer Service Representatives who will guide you on the process involved to conduct a Late Registration.

If both parents are not married to each other, the father’s name can be added to the child’s birth certificate by a process called STATUS. See application tab for details. 

If however both parents got married to each other after the child’s birth, the father’s name can be added to the child’s birth certificate by a process called RE-REGISTRATION. See application tab for details.

There are different procedures that can be used to correct your birth certificate if there is an incorrect spelling of your name. A Correction of Error or Late Entry of Name are be applicable options, but we recommend that you speak with one of our Customer Service Representatives for guidance on the correct procedure.

Please note that once the correction is made to the spelling of your name, this will be noted at the bottom of the new certificate.

In the case of a death from natural causes the death must registered five days after the person has died. However, you may send the Local District Registrar a written notice that the person has died along with the medical certificate of the cause of death received from the attending doctor within fourteen days after the death.

In the case of sudden and/or violent death contact the nearest police station if the person was not under a doctor’s care or if foul play is suspected. A post mortem or autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death. The police will issue an order burial (pink paper) this not a registration!!

Deaths are registered from:

• Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death
• Post Mortem Examination Report
• Coroners Certificate of finding of Jury
• Certificate of Coroner

• You should return all the certificates that were printed and issued to you.
• A receipt will be issued to validate that you have returned all copies.
• Internal checks will be done at our offices to determine whether or not the error was on the organisation’s part.
• If the error was a fault of the organisation your certificates will be corrected, reprinted and delivered within 10 days at no cost to you.
• If not, you will be required to do a Correction of Error. This corrects errors of fact such as place of birth, name and parents’ particulars.

The money paid at the hospital represents payment for the registration of the child’s birth. In order to access the Free First Copy of the birth certificate you will need to visit the OR-G, NIRA two months after the birth of the child and complete a Print on Demand form. If this was not done, please visit the office and complete the form. Carry your receipt and the red and white piece when coming in. You can also make a request via our website www.nira.gov.jm > APPLY NOW > Scroll and Select the option that says FIRST FREE BIRTH CERTIFICATE. > Ensure that you have the Certificate of Registry, a valid ID, and your receipt. Complete the required fields and upload photos of your documents.

Customers can complete applications for services on our website by visiting the application portal and selecting the necessary form. Once the form has been completed the customer should select MAKE PAYMENT ONLINE, in order to pay using a Debit/Credit Card. (N.B. Customers can apply online and also visit any office to pay at the cashier)

To apply for Registry Wedding you can visit our website www.nira.gov.jm and select Marriage Appointment. Ensure you have the required documents to upload before completing the application form and making online payment. You can also visit our office with your required documents to book your wedding.

Required documents:

A Minister’s License, Original or certified copies of birth, adoption or naturalization certificates. Certified copy of Valid Government identification, Original or certified Final Divorce / Judgment Papers/Decree Absolute or previous Marriage and Death certificate of spouse (if previously married). Two witnesses. MUST be 18 years or older. If documents are not in English, they should be translated by a certified translator whose certification of authenticity must be attached. Photocopies must be certified by J.P. or Notary Public (if overseas).

To apply for Same Day & Next Day service you are required to have a previous computer-generated certificate. You will be required to provide the person’s/child’s name, their mother’s name, their parish of birth, their date of birth and their birth entry number.

Same Day applications can be made at any office with the required pickup location being the Head Office in Twickenham Park, Spanish Town.

Next Day applications can be made at any office with the required pickup location being at the office of your choice.

The cost for a certificate (birth, death, marriage) is $7,500(same day) $6,000(next day). Any additional copies cost $500 at the time of application.

How long after a death can I apply for the certificate?Please allow for ten (10) days after the registration of a death before applying for copies of the death certificate.

“All applications by ministers of religion for appointment as Marriage Officers must be in writing to the Office of the Registrar-General.” Also a checklist stating additional requirements can be located on the ORG, NIRA website or you can visit any of the ORG, NIRA offices.

A Marriage Officer is a minister of Religion appointed to conduct marriages while “a Civil Registrar shall be ex officio a marriage officer”. You do not have to be a Minister of Religion to become a Civil Registrar however only Ministers of Religion can apply to become a Marriage Officer.

Yes, the Marriage Officer is require to submit in writing of him or her leaving the island and state date of return. Also all books must be submitted to the office for safe keeping. Failure to notify the ORG, NIRA when travelling overseas constitutes a breach under the Marriage Act which can result in de-gazetting.

a) Civil Registrar’s certificate

b) Marriage Officer’s certificate

c) Minister’s Licence

d) Special Marriage Licence

This certificate is used only by a Civil Registrar (non-religious). A notice of not less than seven (7) clear days (effectively, this means nine days) must be given by the parties intending to get married.

This licence can be used by both Civil Registrars and Marriage Officers. It is obtained from the Ministry of Justice. This licence requires no notice and can be obtained usually within one working day of application.

This can be used by both Marriage Officers and Civil Registrars. The Special Marriage Licence is used with the criteria listed below: –

a. A Minister of Religion, being a Marriage Officer must know both parties to be married well.

b. The parties must residing in the island for a period not less the least 15 days.

c. The parties will complete the “Notice of Marriage by Licence” form which is provided by the Marriage Officer. This form must be signed by the parties to be married and two witnesses.

d. After the Marriage Officer receives the completed “Notice”. He is required to complete a Statutory Declaration which must be signed by a Justice of the Peace. Both the Notice and the Statutory Declaration should be submitted to any Justice for any parish or parishes of the Island of Jamaica or to the Clerk of the Resident Magistrate’s Court for the parish in which the parties. A postage stamp must be affixed to the Special Marriage Licence before issuing. The Marriage Officer who uses the licence to perform the marriage should visit the ORG, NIRA office and pay $5000.00 for Special Marriage Licence, after which the Licence is issued.

This is used only by Marriage Officers along with the following listed below: –

e. The parties to be married complete and sign the “Notice for Banns (I or We form)” form and the parties must be residing in Jamaica. “I” form is for one person giving notice or for parties in different congregations or living in different parishes. “We” form is for both parties giving notice or for parties from the same congregation or living in the same parish.

f. The parties submit the completed Notice of Banns to the Marriage Officer.

g. Upon receiving the completed Notice for Banns, the Marriage officer then publishes the Banns by:

• Reading the publication in the main church service; and
• Placing the completed “Public Notice” on the church’s main Notice Board.

The Public Notice must be displayed for a period of no less than seven (7) clear days (so if the Notice is put up on January 1, it must not be removed before January 9).

h. After the seven (7) clear days for publication of banns is complete, the Marriage Officer will then issue the Marriage Officer’s Certificate (I or We).

This is known as the “Death Bed Marriage”, different registers are used for this purpose. The marriage is only done when one of the parties believe he or she is at the point of death. The marriage is done only if both parties gives consent in the presence of two witnesses. The marriage CANNOT take place if he or she is under the age of 21 years unless he or she is a widower or widow.

No, a Marriage Officer cannot use another Marriage Officer’s register. He or she must only use a Register that was issued to him/her by a representative from the ORG, NIRA.

No, the Marriage Act states that a Marriage Officer must be in charge of a congregation or having supervision over several congregations for the church to which he or she belongs. If you resign as Pastor, you must report this to the ORG, NIRA immediately in writing.

Once the parties are member(s) of the church, the Public Notice must be published at the church.

Yes, there may be more than one Marriage Officers can be assigned to a church.

Yes, however only if a gazetted Marriage Officer is present for ceremony and he records the marriage details in his Marriage Register.

All marriage licences or authorities must be used within three (3) month after the date it was issued. Should it expire before it is used; the intended parties are required to obtain a new licence/authority.

No, the couple must present his or her birth certificate for documentation purposes for the wedding. If the individual(s) does not have a birth certificate a marriage cannot be done.

Yes, “Home duties” or “Nil” can be used.

No. The Birth certificate should be used.

The bride would indicate the surname being used on her current documents. She would state if she is using the maiden name or the previous married.

No, only local addresses are required.

For local divorces you can check the Registry at the Supreme Court for its validity.

All Marriage Duplicate Registers must be sent in within 24 hours after the marriage ceremony. If the marriage is conducted on a Saturday or Sunday, it is the next business day.

No, the applicant must be a resident of Jamaica and having a church and is in charge of a congregation on the island. Once he/she meets this requirement, an application must be made to the ORG, NIRA for appointment as a Marriage Officer for the island of Jamaica.

No, you must still submit recommendations, from current Marriage Officers.