How To Request Vital Records From Jamaica

by Khadijah
(United State)

Jamaican Birth Certificate - Specimen

QUESTION:

I am doing family history research on my grandson's grandmother who was from Kingston Jamaica. She passed away in approximately 1973 per her daughter, my daughter-in-law. I just please need to know how to request vital records from there.

-Khadijah

ANSWER: by Devin, July 27, 2013



Hi Khadijah,

In 1879, under the Act of Parliament, the Island Record Office (IRO) was established as an arm of the Registrar General’s Department (RGD).

The Registrar General’s Department consists of the General Registrar Office and the Island Record Office.

Under the Act, the Chief Justice of Jamaica is the Keeper of the Records and the Registrar General is the Deputy Keeper of the Records. The IRO is the national repository for laws of Jamaica, wills and public writings.

For persons wishing to research their family history in Jamaica, contact must be made with the Registrar General’s Department to access their Genealogical Research Service within the Island Record Office.

To initiate a search, the individual needs to:

1. Complete an RGD application form (available on their website) with the relevant dates of deaths, births and marriages and place of birth.
   
   
2. Pay the relevant fees at any RGD office.
   Researches are currently conducted by the Registrar General’s Department or by individuals cost J$850.00 or US$10.00 per hour.
   
   The Cost of a Family Tree is J$2,000.00 or US$20.00. Birth, Death and Marriage Certificate for each family found is currently J$400.00 each.
   
   Note that fee payment by international customers must be (mailed) payable by International Money Order to the Registrar General’s Department, Twickenham Park, St. Catherine, Jamaica.
   
   
3. Discuss your research needs with the IRO team via email at genealogy@rgd.gov.jm or by telephone at 876-619-1260 or 876-749-0550 extensions 6115 or 6124 or by mobile at 876-471-6775 or toll free at 1-888-743-2273.