Dreaming of international travel with your family in tow? First thing's first – you need to get your child a passport. While it may seem like an arduous task, crossing it off sooner rather than later means its one less thing to think about when it comes time to actually planning your trip away. Luckily, parents can begin the process as soon as your child has a birth certificate, and we outline the next steps below.
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American Passports
If you are a US citizen who recently had a child in the Cayman Islands, you need to apply for a 'Consular Report of Birth Abroad' as well as a passport for your child. You will need to make an appointment with the US Consular Agency via email to: caymanACS@state.gov and then complete the application forms, which can be found at www.travel.state.gov. Both the parents and child must attend the appointment and bring any necessary documentation. They do not accept walk-ins.
US Consular Agency: Suite 202B, Smith Road Centre, 150 Smith Road, George Town. Tel: (345) 623 8173. Opening hours: Monday-Friday 9am-1pm (closed on all Cayman and US holidays).
Australian Passports
Obtaining an Australian passport for a child born in the Cayman Islands can be complicated as there is no online and postal application process available after registering for the child’s Australian citizenship. Residents of Cayman should contact the Australian High Commission in Trinidad and Tobago. They will then advise where an in-person application (including an interview) by one parent can be submitted. The child does not need to attend the interview. For more information, visit https://trinidadandtobago.embassy.gov.au or Tel: 1 (868) 822 5450.
British Passports
Visit www.gov.uk/get-a-child-passport to apply online for your child’s first British passport. You will need a digital photo of your child, supporting documents and a credit or debit card, plus you will need to identify someone who can confirm your child's identity; they will act as a countersignatory. The cost to apply from the Cayman Islands is £95.50 which includes courier fees to get the passport back to you. You will then be issued with a unique number and you will be asked to quote this when you mail the original documents to HM Passport Office. A child passport is valid for five years and the processing time takes up to 11 weeks.
Canadian Passports
The Honorary Consul of Canada helps with obtaining Canadian citizenship for children born in the Cayman Islands to Canadian parents, passports and any emergency assistance. Application forms for Canadian passports can be collected from the Consular or downloaded online from www.cic.gc.ca. The Consular can review your application before you send it to the High Commission of Canada in Kingston, Jamaica. The estimated processing time is 15-20 business days. Honorary Consul of Canada: 1st Floor, Landmark Square, 64 Earth Close, West Bay Road. Tel: (345) 949 9400, Email: cdncon.cayman@candw.ky. Opening hours: Monday-Thursday 10am-1pm.
Caymanian Passports
Caymanian passports (also called a British Overseas Territories Citizen passport) are processed at the Passport & Corporate Services office in George Town and then sent to the UK passport office to be printed. The processing time is six to eight weeks. Application forms and a list of required documentation for a BOTC passport can be downloaded from www.gov.ky (see Passport & Corporate Services tab). Passports cost CI$75 for children, CI$100 for adults and the fee is waived for those over 65. Emergency passports, issued in the event of a medical air evacuation, are produced in Grand Cayman and can be turned around within a day. Unlike the US, those born in the Cayman are not automatically eligible for citizenship or a Cayman Islands passport unless they can prove a connection to the Islands. This usually means that one parent must be Caymanian.
Passport & Corporate Services Office: 2nd floor of Sussex House, 128 Elgin Avenue. Tel: (345) 943 7678. Opening hours: Monday-Friday 9am-3pm.
For any other nationalities visit www.gov.ky and select Consular Agents for contact details of the consular representatives.
Helpful Tip
Try to ensure you child has a valid passport during hurricane season, just in case you and your child need to leave the Island quickly.
