Birthday Certificate Correction

Hi Shelly, thanks so much for your question—this is actually a more common issue than many people think, especially among those of us who have documents spanning several decades and countries. Since you're a Jamaican citizen, any correction to your Jamaican birth certificate has to go through the Registrar General’s Department (RGD), which is the official body responsible for civil records in Jamaica.

In your case, since the error involves a missing letter in your surname, you’ll need to apply for a correction of error through the RGD. This is typically done using what’s called a “Correction of Error Form,” and must be supported with valid identification documents and, ideally, affidavits from family members or individuals who can attest to the correct spelling of your name.

Since you’re overseas, the process can still be completed by mail or through the nearest Jamaican embassy or consulate. However, based on your situation—having already been to the consulate—it might be faster to go directly through the RGD’s online services. They also offer a helpful live chat on their website for guidance. Just visit https://www.rgd.gov.jm.

Once the correction is made, you’ll be issued a new birth certificate with the correct surname, which you can then use to renew your passport successfully. Just keep in mind that corrections can take a few weeks, especially if affidavits or other proofs are required.

And since this is such an important step in re-establishing your official identity documents, I’d suggest keeping a few notarized copies of the updated certificate and sharing the correction with any other entities (like immigration or school boards) that may have the old spelling on file.

Recommended reading: Is Jamaica Safe To Travel? What Precautions Should I Take?

Last updated: June 18, 2025

Feel free to share this article with others who may find it helpful. Got a question of your own? I’d be honoured to help. Ask it here: https://www.my-island-jamaica.com/question.html#INV