Government of Jamaica
A Jamaican citizen who is resident in Jamaica at the time of appointment, and is able to
read and speak English fluently. Be at least 23 years old, and a person of unquestionable
integrity and 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 Senior Police Officer
- 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:
https://moj.gov.jm/services-and-information/jp or by calling the Ministry at 876-906-4923,
ext. 5704.
NO! A JP must not charge or accept 'reward' for any service he/she performs in that office.
The Justice of the Peace Act requires JPs to provide their services free of cost!
An individual can make a report/ complaint by calling or writing to the Custos for the
parish in which the JP is registered. The various Custodes are listed at
Custodes
Expungement is essentially having a conviction removed from one’s criminal/police record
after a specific period of time 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 offense, which can be expunged under the Act.
Through the Criminals Records Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, persons with certain criminal
records can apply to the Criminal Records Offenders Board for their records to be expunged.
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 has to wait until the expiration of the rehabilitation period before making an application for expungement.
- 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.
- 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.
- Murder
- Robbery
- Rape
- Trafficking In Persons
- Sexual Grooming of a Child
- Forcible Abduction
- Where a person has been convicted of three or more indictable offences arising out of more than one incident, on conviction for the third offence all three convictions become inexpungable and will not be deemed spent
- Where a person has been convicted of three or more summary offences all of which involved an offence under the Dangerous Drugs Act on conviction for the third offence all three convictions become ineligible for expungement and will not be deemed spent.
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 Board for expungement from the records of that conviction.
- Convicted person would have to be less than four years older than the other party.
- Also the convicted person should not have been in a position of trust or authority towards the other party.
- Did not use, threaten to use or attempt to use violence, intimidation or coercion in relation to the other party.
No, all documents and forms required to obtain the Minister’s Licence must be submitted to
the Customer Service Section, Ministry of Justice, 61 Constant Spring Road, Kingston 10
Visit the Customer Service Section, Ministry of Justice, 61 Constant Spring Road. Kingston
10.
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 Licence only permits the Marriage Officer to perform the marriage
ceremony in accordance with the law. After the marriage ceremony, you must apply for the
Marriage Certificate (legal proof of marriage) from the Registrar General’s Department (RGD)
– For further information visit their website 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 18 years of age or older
- If age of 16 or 17 years – parental /guardian consent required
No, there is no fee for the Minister’s Licence. However, there is a stamp duty fee of J$4000
which is payable at the Stamp Duty Office located at 111 Harbour Street, Kingston, prior to
the issuing of the Minister’s Licence.
The Minister’s Licence is only valid in Jamaica.
A Minister’s Licence may be issued the same day if the request is made by 12 noon and all
requirements have been met; otherwise, the next business day. However, if the Jamaican Court
granted either party divorce, processing may take up to seven (7) business days pending
verification from the Supreme Court.
- 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 National Identification for local residents only).
- 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 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 Licence
Form which must be original.
Yes, the Minister’s Licence expires 90 days after the date it was issued.
- No, application may be submitted by:
- Both parties nor 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.
Report the error(s) in writing or visit in person the Ministry of Justice, 61 Constant
Spring Road, Kingston 10 for an amendment.
No, you may not. The correction(s) must be done by the Declarant 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 Licence upon presentation of valid picture identification (Passport, Driver’s Licence or Jamaican National Identification) along with written authorization from you.
