Government of Jamaica
A Jamaican citizen who is resident in Jamaica at the time of appointment and can read and speak English fluently. Be at least 23 years old, and a person of unquestionable integrity who commands the respect and confidence of the local community.
The Justice of the Peace Application Form is available on our website at JP Application or from the Ministry of Justice, 61 Constant Spring Road, Kingston 10 or the Office of the Custos in your parish, see Custodes.
You can submit the completed application form and the required documents to the Custos of your parish. The Justices of the Peace Act 2018 allows you to apply to serve as a JP using the address where you live or work.
Along with the completed application, an individual is required to submit:
Proof of birth date –
A certified photocopy of applicant’s Birth Certificate, OR A certified photocopy of the page of the applicant’s Jamaican Passport, which carries the date of birth
Proof of Surname / Any other name(s) –
A certified photocopy of Marriage Certificate is required if Surname on application is different from Surname on Birth Certificate and/or Passport due to marriage. A certified photocopy of Adoption Licence/Order is required if Surname on application is different from Surname on Birth Certificate and/or Passport due to adoption. A certified photocopy of Deed Poll is required if any name on application is different from any name on Birth Certificate and/or Passport due to change of name.
- Two (2) letters of recommendation from any of the following categories of persons: Pastor, Justice of the Peace or Senior Police Officer (Rank 4-11)
- Two (2) certified passport-sized photographs MUST be presented along with this form. Photographs must be professionally produced, taken not more than six (6) months prior to the application. The photographs should be taken in colour.
Section 7 of the Justices of the Peace Act, 2018 speaks to the main functions of JPs. There are also other functions which are included in different laws including the Child Diversion Act and the Restorative Justice Act.
You can confirm a JP by viewing the listing posted on our website, see: JP Services or by contacting the Ministry via:
- E-mail: customer.service@moj.gov.jm
- Phone: (876) 906-4923-31
- Toll Free: 888-JUSTICE (888-587-8423)
NO! A JP must not charge or accept a 'reward' for any service he/she performs in that office. The Justice of the Peace Act requires JPs to provide free services.
An individual can make a report/complaint by calling or writing to the Custos for the parish in which the JP is registered. Visit our website or click on the link to view them: Custodes
Expungement is essentially having a conviction removed from one’s criminal/police record after a specific period has elapsed and after certain requirements have been met. When the conviction is expunged, it is removed from one’s criminal record and the ex-offender is deemed to be a person who has never been charged with, prosecuted for, convicted or sentenced for the offence to which the conviction relates.
A person who has been convicted of a specified offence, which can be expunged under the Criminal Records (Rehabilitation of Offenders) Act.
Applications must be made to the Criminal Records Offenders (CRO) Board. Submission must be made at the Reception Area of the Customer Service Branch of the Ministry of Justice to initiate the Expungement process. The details are outlined on the Ministry of Justice’s Website. Additionally, persons with additional questions or who require clarification regarding the process can also contact the Customer Service Branch via:
- E-mail: customer.service@moj.gov.jm
- Phone: (876) 906-4923-31
- Toll Free: 888-JUSTICE (888-587-8423)
Applications must be made to the Criminal Records Offenders (CRO) Board to initiate the Expungement Process, the details of which are outlined on the Ministry of Justice Website. Additionally, persons who may have additional questions or require clarification regarding the process can also contact the Criminal Civil and Family Law Unit.
- The offender must wait until the expiration of the rehabilitation period before making an application for expungement.
The rehabilitation periods are as follows:
- Where the sentence imposed does not include imprisonment the rehabilitation period is 3 years.
- Where the sentence imposed does not exceed 6 months, the rehabilitation period is 5 years.
- Where the sentence imposed is between 6 and 36 months the rehabilitation period is 7 years.
- Where the sentence imposed exceeds 36 months but does not exceed 5 years, the rehabilitation period is 10 years.
There are separate provisions for persons under 18 years:
- Where the sentence imposed does not include imprisonment, the rehabilitation period is 18 months.
- Where the sentence imposed does not exceed 6 months, the rehabilitation period is 30 months.
- Where the sentence is more than 6 months but not exceeding five years-rehab period 5 years.
Specified offences attracting either non-custodial sentences or custodial sentences of up to but not exceeding 5 years.
Visit our website or click on the link to view the list of offences that do not qualify for expungement: Offences that DO NOT QUALIFY for Expungement
The specified circumstances
- Where a person has been convicted for sexual intercourse with a person under 16 years of age and sentenced to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years after the applicable rehabilitation period has expired, the person is eligible to apply to the Criminal Records (Rehabilitation of Offenders) Board for expungement from the records of that conviction.
Please note however that:
- Convicted person would have to be less than four years older than the other party.
- The convicted person should not have been in a position of trust or authority towards the other party. Positions of trust include a guardian, teacher, parent or coach. This list is not limited.
- The convicted person should not have used, threatened to use or attempted to use violence, intimidation or coercion in relation to the other party.
Yes, a third-party is able to submit a completed application on your behalf.
Yes. A third party may collect the decision letter/processing letter/outstanding case letter/no conviction letter upon presentation of the relevant expungement authorization form and a valid picture identification (passport, driver’s license or Jamaican national identification). The authorization form may be retrieved from: Forms. The authorization form must be completed by the applicant.
Yes. You may request a processing letter, otherwise known as a status letter. Once requested, it will be processed and ready for collection after three (3) business days
Yes. You may request a copy of your decision letter. Once requested, it will be processed and ready for collection after five (5) business days. In some cases, additional time is required to produce this copy. Should additional time be needed, we will contact you in advance to provide an updated timeframe.
Applications will be processed within one (1) year, given there is no issue. Please note that the timeline may extend based on the involvement of partnering offices and the need for additional information from the applicant during the process.
No. All documents and forms required to obtain the Minister’s Marriage Licence must be submitted at the Reception Area of the Customer Service Branch, at the Ministry of Justice, located at 61 Constant Spring Road, Kingston 10, St. Andrew.
Jamaica’s Marriage Certificate is widely accepted in other territories; however, jurisdictions are governed by different legislation. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the foreigner(s) getting married on the island, to ensure that the Jamaican Marriage Certificate is recognized in their homeland prior to engaging in the ceremony.
No. The Minister’s Marriage Licence only permits a marriage officer to perform the marriage ceremony in accordance with the law. After the marriage ceremony, you are required to apply for the Marriage Certificate (legal proof of marriage) from the Registrar General’s Department (RGD) – For further information visit their website at www.rgd.gov.jm.
An appointed Marriage Officer or any person appointed by the Minister to do so.
A man and woman intending to get marry to each other
- not already legally married to someone else
- not be blood relatives
- be at least 18 years of age
- If age of 16 or 17 years – parental /guardian consent required
Yes. There is a stamp duty fee of JMD$4000 which is payable at one of the below Stamp Duty Offices.
- 1. Kingston - 72 Harbor Street, Kingston CSO, Kingston
- 2. May Pen Revenue Centre - 7 Windsor Avenue, May Pen, Clarendon
- 3. Montego Bay Revenue Centre– 11-12 Almond Way, Freeport, Montego Bay, St. James
The Minister’s Licence is only valid in Jamaica.
A Minister’s Marriage Licence may be issued on the same day if the request is made before the cut-off time and all requirements have been met; otherwise, on the next business day. Please note the times below: Mondays-Thursdays: The cut-off time is 12:00pm and the collection time is 3:30pm Fridays: The cut-off time is 11:00am and the collection time is 2:30pm In the event of unforeseen changes, upon receipt of your application, you will be informed.
- A completed Form of Declaration;
- Blank Minister’s Licence form (Page 2) duly stamped /embossed by the Stamp Duty Office.
- Valid picture identification (passport, driver’s licence or Jamaican Voter ID).
- Birth Certificate;
- Divorce Absolute, Death Certificate (widow or widower), Deed Poll and Letter of Consent (where applicable).
Where applicable, all certified documents must accompany the completed Form of Declaration and Stamped Blank Minister’s Licence form (Page 2) for processing.
A person (Declarant) who has knowledge of the impending marriage and that there are no known obstacles to the marriage must complete the Form of Declaration. The Declarant should sign to the right of the bracket where the Justice of the Peace (JP) is designated to sign. In addition, the Form must be signed by the Declarant in the presence of a JP in Jamaica.
In the absence of original documents, certified copies by a Justice of the Peace or Notary Public may be submitted; except for the Form of Declaration and the Blank Minister’s Marriage Licence Form which must be original. N.B. For locally divorced applicants a Supreme Court certified copy of the Decree Absolute is required.
Yes. The Minister’s Marriage Licence expires 90 days after the date it was issued.
No. The application may be submitted by:
- Both parties or either party intending to get married;
- Relative or friend of person(s) intending to get married;
- Marriage Officer, Wedding Planner, Hotelier or some other third party.
If an error on a Minister’s Marriage Licence is due to the applicant’s mistake, the declarant (a person who has knowledge of the impending marriage and that there are no known obstacles to the marriage must complete the Form of Declaration) must submit a written letter addressed to the Ministry of Justice, outlining the error and the correction needed. This letter must be witnessed and sealed by a Justice of the Peace. If the error is on the Ministry of Justice’s end, it will be corrected without any requirement. In both cases, corrections are made within one (1) hour of the report, unless unforeseen delays occur, in which case the customer will be informed. Please note that the error should be reported at the Reception Area of the Customer Service Branch at the Ministry of Justice, located at 61 Constant Spring Road, Kingston 10, St. Andrew for an amendment. We kindly ask that all licences be thoroughly checked before leaving the Ministry, to ensure it is error free.
No, you may not. The correction(s) MUST be made by the Declarant (a person who has knowledge of the impending marriage and that there are no known obstacles to the marriage must complete the Form of Declaration) in the presence of the Justice of the Peace (JP) who originally signed and sealed the Form of Declaration. Both parties (the Declarant and JP) must sign to the specific change(s).
Yes. A third-party may collect the Minister’s Marriage Licence on your behalf, upon presentation of the relevant Marriage Licence authorization form and a valid picture identification (passport, driver’s license or Jamaican national identification). The authorization form may be retrieved from: Forms. The authorization form must be completed by the applicant, the bride or the groom
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