Renewing a Grenadian Passport in Grenada: Documents and Steps

Most Grenadian passport renewals are routine, and most delays are self-inflicted: photos that do not meet the specification, a form signed by someone who does not qualify as a recommender, or a name on the birth certificate that does not quite match the old passport. Getting those details right the first time is the difference between one trip to St George's and three.

Passports are issued by the Immigration and Passport Office, which sits within the Royal Grenada Police Force's immigration arm. This page walks through a renewal made in Grenada, from gathering documents to collecting the new book, as the process generally worked at the time of writing. Forms, fees, photo rules and opening hours are set by the office and change from time to time, so collect the current form and checklist from the office itself before you start.

Who renews, and when to start

Any Grenadian citizen whose passport is expiring, expired, full or damaged can apply for a replacement. The same office handles first passports, renewals and replacements for lost books, but the documents asked for differ slightly in each case. A straightforward renewal, where the old passport is in your hands and your name has not changed, is the simplest of them.

Start early. Many countries and airlines expect a passport to have at least six months of validity left on arrival, so a passport that expires in October can cause problems for a trip in May. Processing times at the office vary with demand, and the weeks before Christmas, Carnival in August and the summer travel season tend to be busiest.

If you have a fixed travel date, mention it when you apply and ask whether urgent processing is available and what evidence of travel is needed. Do not book non-refundable flights on the assumption that the passport will be ready by a particular day.

Renewing also gives you a chance to correct details. If your old passport carries an error, or your circumstances have changed, raise it at the counter with the supporting documents rather than hoping it will be fixed automatically.

Documents usually required

Requirements are set out on the official application form and checklist. A typical adult renewal involves:

• The completed passport application form, filled in clearly and without corrections, in the format the office currently accepts.
• Your current or most recent Grenadian passport, which will be cancelled and usually returned to you.
• Your birth certificate, generally an original or certified copy issued by the General Registry.
• Recent passport photographs meeting the stated size and background rules, with no glasses, hats or heavy shadows.
• Evidence of any change of name, such as a marriage certificate or deed poll, if your name differs from the old passport.
• A government-issued photo identification card where requested.
• Payment of the government fee, which differs for ordinary and urgent processing and should be confirmed before you go.

The recommender: the step people get wrong

Grenadian passport forms have traditionally required a recommender, a person of recognised standing who confirms your identity and certifies that the photographs are a true likeness. The form lists who qualifies, typically professionals and office holders such as justices of the peace, ministers of religion, senior teachers, medical doctors, attorneys-at-law and senior police officers. The recommender usually has to have known you personally for a set period.

Read the current list carefully rather than relying on what was accepted years ago. A form signed by a relative, or by someone whose profession is not on the list, is a common reason for applications being returned. The recommender may also need to sign the back of a photograph and provide their own details so the office can verify them.

Choose a recommender who is easy to reach. Staff sometimes contact recommenders to confirm they signed, and an unreachable recommender can hold up an otherwise complete file.

Step by step at the office

A typical renewal in St George's runs like this, though the office may change its arrangements:

1. Collect the current application form and checklist from the Immigration and Passport Office, or obtain the official form through the channel the office currently uses.
2. Have passport photographs taken at a studio familiar with the current specification; several studios in St George's and the larger towns do this routinely.
3. Complete the form in your own handwriting where required, and have the recommender sign and certify the photographs.
4. Gather the original documents and a set of photocopies, since staff often keep copies and return originals.
5. Submit the application in person, arriving early, and pay the fee; keep the receipt, which you will usually need to collect the passport.
6. Note the collection date or the way you will be notified, and ask whether someone else may collect on your behalf with authorisation.
7. Collect the passport, check every detail on the data page before leaving, and keep the cancelled old passport safely.

Checking the new passport before you leave

Errors on passports do happen, and they are much easier to fix at the counter than after you have flown. Check the spelling of every name against your birth certificate, the date and place of birth, the sex marker and the dates of issue and expiry. Make sure the photograph is yours and clearly printed.

Sign the passport where indicated if a signature is required and it has not been captured digitally. An unsigned passport can cause questions at some borders.

If you hold a valid visa in your old passport, such as a US visa, keep the old passport with the new one. Most countries allow you to travel with a valid visa in an expired passport as long as you also carry the new valid passport and the personal details match. Check the rules of the issuing country, and if your name has changed, ask that country how to update the visa.

Keep a photograph of the new data page in secure storage as soon as you collect it.

Mistakes that send people back

Wrong photographs. Photos that are too old, the wrong size, taken against a coloured background or with glasses are among the most frequent problems. Use a studio that knows the current rules and keep spare copies.

Name mismatches. If your birth certificate shows a different spelling or a name you no longer use, bring the documents that link them. A marriage certificate covers a married name; other changes may need a deed poll or a statutory declaration.

Old birth certificates. Very old, faded or damaged birth certificates, or extracts that leave out details, may not be accepted. Order a fresh certified copy from the General Registry in advance.

Ineligible recommender. A signature from someone not on the official list, or a recommender who has not known you long enough, can mean the whole form is returned.

Leaving it late. Applying a fortnight before an overseas trip invites stress. Allow several weeks, longer in peak periods.

Residents of Carriacou and Petite Martinique

For people living on Carriacou and Petite Martinique, a passport renewal often means planning a trip to Grenada, since passport processing has been centred in St George's. Check with the immigration authorities whether any part of the process, such as collecting forms or submitting applications, can be handled locally in Hillsborough before arranging travel.

If a trip to St George's is needed, combine the visit with getting photographs taken and collecting a certified birth certificate from the General Registry, so that missing documents do not force a second crossing. The ferry and the short flight between Carriacou and Grenada both run on schedules that change, so confirm times before you travel.

Ask at submission whether the new passport can be collected by an authorised person or sent on, which may save a return trip.

Frequently asked questions