Q. Does Jamaica recognise dual citizenship, that is, Jamaica and Trinidad? I am a Trinidadian by birth and hold a TT passport with 'unconditional landing' based on my father being a Jamaican. My passport expires in December 2009. Can I apply for Jamaican citizenship based on descent and a Jamaican passport?

These are very important questions and reflect circumstances that affect a lot of persons in the Jamaican diaspora. To answer your first question, Jamaica recognises and accepts dual citizenship. This is not explicitly stated in the Jamaica Constitution. However, Sections 3A and 3C of the Jamaica Constitution, 1962, make provision for persons born overseas to a Jamaican or two Jamaican parents to be eligible for a claim to citizenship by descent. According to the Constitution:

1. Any person who was born outside Jamaica before the sixth day of August 1962 whose father or mother, on the sixth day of August 1962, became or would, but for his or her death, have become a citizen of Jamaica.

2. Every person born outside Jamaica shall become a citizen of Jamaica on the sixth day of August, 1962, in the case of a person born before that date; or on the date of this birth, in the case of a person born on or after the sixth of August, 1962, if at that date his father or mother is a citizen of Jamaica by birth, descent or registration by virtue of marriage to a citizen of Jamaica.

Based on the information you have provided you seem to be eligible for a claim to citizenship by descent.

How to establish Jamaican citizenship by descent

A request for the establishment of the claim to citizenship by descent may be submitted in writing or by completing a request form obtainable at the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency. The letter should state your address, name, date and place of birth. Also to be included are the names and nationalities of your parents.

If you are residing overseas the request forms may be obtained through the various Jamaican missions or the agency's website at www.pica.gov.jm.

The letter of request or form should be submitted to the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency along with the following original supporting documents:

(i) The claimant's birth certificate;

(ii) The claimant's father or mother's birth certificate or certificate of Jamaican citizenship;

(iii) Two passport photographs of the claimant certified by a justice of the peace or notary public.

Persons residing overseas may submit their requests through the nearest Jamaica mission.

Photocopies are accepted only if they are certified by a consular officer, notary public or a justice of the peace.

Requests, for which the supporting documents submitted are in order, will be processed within 30 working days of the receipt at the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency. There is no charge for the process at this time.

At the end of the process you will be issued with a letter of certification to confirm your status as a citizen of Jamaica. You will thereafter be entitled to enjoy the basic rights and opportunities as an ordinary Jamaican, including the right to bear a Jamaican passport for which an application may be submitted at a time convenient to you.

Send your question, comments and suggestions on everything related to immigration, passports and citizenship to editor@gleanerjm.com and the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency will respond.