Caribbean News
JAMAICA: RGD Stages Free Birth Registration Fairs
#Kingston, June 19, 2018 – Jamaica – The Registrar General’s Department (RGD) will be hosting a series of registration fairs across the island 
over the next 18 months to facilitate persons who are without a birth certificate or those who may need to complete the process. The first in the series of fairs will be held on Wednesday (June 20) from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Linstead Methodist Church in St. Catherine.
Persons in Linstead and surrounding areas will be able to access late registration and late entry of name services, free of cost.
“So, if you are not sure you were registered, never seen a copy of your birth certificate, have a birth certificate but no surname or name on it, then we will help you get an identity,” RGD’s Marketing and Planning Manager, Nicole Whyte, said in a JIS News interview.
She explained that the staging of the fairs “is a drive to register all unregistered persons in Jamaica, as there are persons who are not accounted for – they do not have an identity; they were born but were never, ever registered”. She noted that there are also individuals who were registered but they were not named at birth.
“So, there is no name at registration, just the sex of male or female, the date and where they were born. Also there are persons who were given a first name but no surname, and that is not acceptable now. We cannot print or generate a birth certificate without a name or surname on it, and so the registration process would be deemed incomplete in these instances,” she pointed out.
Mrs. Whyte said that persons will be required to present whatever documents they possess that can be used as verification, in addition to completing a form.
“If persons have access to their christening records, a marriage certificate, if any of their parents is deceased and they have the death certificate, immunisation card, or school records… whatever they have as proof of name or to substantiate who they say they are, will be accepted and used in the registration process,” she pointed out.
She informed that for the late entry of name, the process takes four to six weeks for the birth certificate to be generated while the late registration takes a longer period, involving a lengthy, thorough process of searching records to ensure that persons were not previously registered.
Highlighting the importance of registration, Mrs. Whyte pointed out that “it allows you to have an identity and that is how we are able to say this is 
‘John Brown’, who was born to such parents at this particular place and date”.
“The birth certificate is one of those first documents that you will need in order to get other documents. So you need a birth certificate in order to obtain a passport, tax registration number (TRN), to apply and get benefits from the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH); or for persons who are working and approaching retirement, they need their birth certificate in order to access their pension,” she noted.
“So, if you know you were not registered, never seen a copy of your birth certificate, have a birth certificate but no surname or name is on it, then we are encouraging you to make use of this opportunity and get registered or complete the registration process free of cost at these upcoming fairs,” Mrs. Whyte urged.
Persons who are already registered, but may need another copy of their birth certificate, can also access the service at a cost.
For information on dates and locations of the fairs, members of the public can contact the RGD at 876-619-1260 or 749-0550.
Release: JIS
Photo credit: HuffPost
Caribbean News
Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts celebrate a night of wins, and take home a total of 16 titles at the 32nd Annual World Travel Awards
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (October 6th, 2025) – CaribCon, the Caribbean conference celebrating culture, innovation, and creativity, will welcome some of the region’s most influential voices to its inaugural edition in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The event, set to be a dynamic gathering of thought leaders and cultural icons, will feature impactful panel discussions, inspiring and intimate fireside chats and a flow of knowledge from some of the Caribbean’s brightest and best in the creative sector.
Elizabeth “Lady” Montano
Jamaica’s own Dr. Terri-Karelle Johnson, celebrated communications specialist, media personality, and global keynote speaker, will headline CaribCon as the official keynote speaker. Known for her ability to connect authentically and inspire audiences worldwide, Dr. Reid will share her insights on Caribbean identity, storytelling, and the power of representation in shaping global narratives. Another highlight of CaribCon will be the presence of Elizabeth “Lady” Montano, mother and former manager of soca superstar Machel Montano. Lady will launch her award-winning book, King of Soca, in which she is positioned as the ultimate insider, chronicling the evolution of one of the Caribbean’s most iconic entertainers. She will also share her invaluable experiences on nurturing talent, building a brand, and sustaining longevity in the competitive music industry in an intimate fireside chat. Adding further star power to the event is Simon Baptiste, CEO of Question Mark Entertainment, co-founder of ODOS, a global collective network spanning over 1000 professionals in 35 countries, film director, talent manager and creative strategist. Baptiste will bring his expertise to conversations on shaping the region’s creative sector and talent.
Simon Baptiste
“CaribCon is where the Caribbean’s voices, ideas, and creativity converge,” says Omega Simmons, founder of CaribCon and CEO of SOS Media. “Having leaders like Terri Karelle, Lady Montano, and Simon Baptiste share their stories and expertise truly embodies the spirit of this event. Their presence reinforces the power of Caribbean culture to inspire and influence on the world stage.” CaribCon will take place at the Shore Club in Providenciales, the Turks and Caicos Islands, from October 23rd to 26th. Attendees can look forward to networking opportunities, panel discussions, and meaningful dialogue to foster an ecosystem that develops the region’s creative sector and propels it onto the global stage.
Sponsors are:
Signature Experience Partners: Ministry of Tourism, Experience Turks and Caicos, and The Shore Club.
Other sponsors: PPID, Invest TCI, InterCaribbean Airways, Subtronic Sounds, Spotlight Communications.
Hotel partners: Ocean Club Resorts, Waterloo Hotel Management, The Somerset on Grace Bay and Ports of Call Resort.
For more information, tickets, and updates, visit www.caribcon.co or follow @caribconhq on all social media platforms.
For more information please email: contact@caribcon.co
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