Starting on March 1, 2013 there will be many changes to adhere to when renewing or applying for a new Belizean Passport. The Ministry of Immigration and Nationality recently unveiled the new regulations for the application process. The changes are being implemented in order to facilitate legal travel procedures abroad and to safeguard the validity of the nationality of a person. Passports will only be given out to Belizean nationals. Apart from the new regulations for the application process, there is also a revised application form.
The revised application forms consist of two separate forms, one for minors and one for adults. Minors (anyone below the age of 16) filing for a passport must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, and their passport is valid for five years. Any applicant 16 or older can file independently for a passport which is valid for ten years. Together with the completed application form,the person must submit a certificate of birth along with a form of photo identification; no driver’s licenses will be accepted. Two recent passport size photos must be presented along with a police record, previous passport (with the exception of first time applicants),a form filled by a Class A recommender and a form filled by a Class B recommender. Class A recommenders can be a Justice of the Peace, Minister of Religion, Medical Practitioner, Notary Public or Attorney at Law, while Class B recommenders are Members of the House of Representatives. After the application form is completed, it takes a month to process the request.
Belizean nationals living in the United States of America, United Kingdom and Taiwan can also apply for a Belizean Passport at their respective Belize Foreign Missions situated in Los Angeles California, Chicago Illinois, New York New York, Washington D.C., London and Taipei. Applicants residing in the country can submit applications to passports offices located in Belize City, the city of Belmopan, Corozal Town, Orange Walk Town, San Pedro Town, Dangriga Town or Punta Gorda Town.
For more information or for application forms, persons are welcome to contact the Immigration and Nationality Office San Pedro Branch at 206-2086. They can also visit the office located on Coconut Drive above Scotiabank.
