General Information

Press Release- U.S. Embassy to Begin Appointment System for Non-Emergency American Citizen Services

On February 1, 2010 the American Citizen Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy will begin using an appointment system to schedule non-emergency services such as passport applications or renewals and consular reports of birth abroad.  To schedule an appointment for these services, American citizens should e-mail the embassy at Kingstonpassport@state.gov.  Appointments will be scheduled between 8 and 11 a.m., Monday through Friday, except for Wednesdays.  Notarial services will be available between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., Monday through Friday, except for Wednesdays.  No appointments are necessary for notarial services.

The following information should be included in the appointment request: name, date of birth, contact phone number, type of service needed, and possible appointment dates on which the person is available.  Depending on the nature of the emergency, the American Citizens Services Unit will continue to process emergency passport applications and provide emergency services on a same-day basis, when possible. 

Similar appointment systems are used in U.S. embassies around the world to allow better service to American citizens by ensuring efficient service without unnecessary waits.  The system will also allow the embassy to provide advance information to American citizens about what to bring to an appointment for proper preparation. 

American citizens are encouraged to begin e-mailing the embassy now to schedule appointments for non-emergency services.  After February 1, 2010, walk-ins will no longer be allowed for non-emergency passport services.  Additional information about the new system can be obtained at http://kingston.usembassy.gov .

American Citizen Services -- U.S. Embassy in Kingston

Address: 142 Old Hope Road, Kingston 6

Tel: (876) 702-6450; (876) 702-6000 (after-hours emergency)

American Citizen Services Window Hours: By appointment, Monday – Friday (except Wednesday), 8:00-11:00 a.m

American Citizen Services Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 7:15 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

No visa questions will be answered (immigrant or nonimmigrant, even from American Citizens).  If you have questions about visas these can be answered through our call center.  In addition, information about visas can be found in the “Visas to the U.S.” section of the Embassy Homepage.

Consular Agency - Montego Bay contact information

Consular Agency - Cayman Islands contact information

Registration: American citizens living in or visiting Jamaica or the Cayman Islands are encouraged to register with the Consular Section as soon as possible after their arrival in Jamaica.  You can register on-line by clicking on https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ to let us know you're here.

Travel Advisories/Warnings from the U.S. State Department: Go to www.state.gov and click on "Travel Warnings and Assistance," or call the State Department's toll-free number (888) 407-4747 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. CST, Mondays through Fridays except for U.S. holidays, or click on http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html.  To make its travel warning accessible to the public, the State Department now offers e-mail updates. Go to www.state.gov and click on the "Travel Warnings and Assistance" link to subscribe to this service.  The advisories are designed to give travelers insight into the relative safety of countries around the world.

Travel information from the U.S. State Department: www.travel.state.gov

Department of Homeland Security: www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/