ADDED INFORMATION

Certificates of Character, commonly referred to as Police Clearance Certificates are applied for by writing to the Commissioner of Police in Guyana.

Each applicant is required to submit with their application the following:

a) Full names, date and year of birth.
b) Previous address in Guyana.
c) Three recent passport-sized photographs.
d) Passport number, date and country of issue.
e) Parents' names and addresses.
f) Postal order for two pounds (£2.00) made payable to the Commissioner of Police.
g) Official set of fingerprints.

Fingerprints in the UK can be obtained from:
Metropolitan Police Fingerprint Bureau Tel:020 7230 1212 ext 2099

Applications must be forwarded to:

Commissioner of Police
Eve Leary
Georgetown
Guyana
Tel: 00 592 226 2487
Fax: 00 592 226 2740

Certain European countries, e.g. France or The Netherlands, stipulate that foreigners desirous of marrying in these countries must produce a recent (usually within six months (6) of application) Certificate of Non-Impediment to Marriage from their countries of origin.

This document confirms that there is no objection to the proposed marriage on the basis that the applicant is not in an existing marriage.

Guyanese requiring such documents must submit the following to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Guyana:

a) Affidavit to be sworn at the nearest British Consulate
(if there is no Guyana representation); (See specimen to download below)

b) Questionnaire for completion (Dowload below)

c) Copy of birth certificate

d) Copy of divorce decree (if relevant)

These certificates are issued by the Registrar General in Guyana whose address is:

The Registrar General
General Register Office
General Post Office Building
Georgetown
Guyana
Tel. 00 592 225 7561/ 00 592 226 4575
Fax. 00 592 227 6861

An application form should be obtained from the High Commision, completed and posted to the Registrar General together with a postal order for two pounds (£2.00) made payable to the Registrar General and crossed. This amount covers the fee and return registered postage.

It is important to enter accurate information on the form, particularly the place of birth/marriage/death in Guyana, that is, street, hospital or village.

It is advised that a covering letter be sent providing very clearly, the address in the United Kingdom to which the certificate should be returned.

Telephone 00592 225 7561 / 226 4575
Fax 00592 227 6861

Foreign nationals desirous of living in Guyana must obtain prior approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Guyana.

Residence is not usually granted unless such nationals intend to invest financially in Guyana or have been issued with work permits for paid or unpaid employment in Guyana.

Foreign nationals applying for residence in Guyana must forward their
personal details and supporting documentation to:

Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Home Affairs
Brickdam
Georgetown
Guyana
Tel: 00 592 225 3663
Fax: 00 592 226 9721

Work permits are obtained from the Ministry of Home Affairs and applications should be submitted by the prospective employer on behalf of the job applicant.

Work permits must be presented to the immigration authorities on arrival at the port of entry in Guyana.

Foreign nationals who are married to Guyanese citizens and who have not obtained Guyanese citizenship will be required to present evidence of such a marriage to the immigration authorities.

Foreign nationals seeking information on job opportunities should write to:

Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Labour, Human Services & Social Security
1 Water & Cornhill Street
Georgetown
Guyana
Tel: 00 592 226 6115
Fax: 00 592 227 1308

In order to obtain verification of citizenship of the Republic of Guyana the following information is required:

(a) Name in full
(b) Date and place of birth in Guyana
(c) Copy of birth certificate, if available
(d) Details of last Guyana passport: date and country of issue
(e) Last address in Guyana
(f) Names and address of parents in Guyana
(g) Date of departure from Guyana
(h) Details of employment in Guyana
(i) Four (4) photographs
(j) Set of finger-prints

                                   APPLICATION FOR RENUNCIATION OF
                        GUYANESE CITIZENSHIP

Guyanese who intend to renounce their Guyanese citizenship may do so by applying in person to the nearest Guyanese Consulate. Declaration forms, which may be obtained from the Guyana High Commission in London, must be completed in duplicate and sworn to before an official of the nearest British Consulate if the applicant resides in a country where there is no Guyanese Consulate. Both forms are to be returned to the Guyana High Commission, London together with the following for processing:

Guyana Passport,
Two passport-sized photographs,
The original document from the authorities of the country whose citizenship you are about to acquire, confirming that citizenship will be granted upon renunciation of Guyanese citizenship,
Fee of one hundred pounds (£100.00) plus five pounds (£5.00) for registered postage,
Original birth certificate or a certified copy,
Original marriage certificate or a certified copy,
Spouse’s original birth certificate or a certified copy.
Note:

     - Uncertified photocopies of documents are NOT acceptable.
     - English translations of all documents in foreign languages are required.
     - Applications are usually processed within six to nine months.

Guyana is bounded on the west by Venezuela, on the east by Suriname, the north by the Atlantic Ocean and southwest by Brazil. The principal point of entry into Guyana is the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, which is approximately 25 miles from Georgetown. The other legal points of entry with immigration services are:

(1) Via the Atlantic Ocean - the Central Immigration Office at Camp Road, Georgetown.
(2) From Venezuela - Morawhanna and Mabaruma.
(3) From Brazil - Lethem, Orinduik and Monkey Mountain.
(4) From Suriname - Springlands and Moleson Greek on the Corentyne.

Holders of British and European Union (excluding Austria and countries recently admitted to the European Union) passports do not require visas to enter Guyana. However, on arrival, they must satisfy the Immigration Officer at the point of entry, of being in possession of a valid passport and return ticket.

Those persons who are on camping trips, bicycle or motor vehicle expeditions, should have adequate financial means for their stay in Guyana. On being satisfied with regard to the bona fides of the visitor, the Immigration Officer is entitled to grant not more than one (1) month's stay in the country. Thereafter, permission for extension of stay must be obtained from the Ministry of Home Affairs, subsequent to an application by the visitor.

Once the Immigration Officer on duty is satisfied that the visitor would not be a burden to the State, he or she is not required to deposit any surety.

Public transportation vehicles are available from the Brazilian entry points to Georgetown via roadways and trails. In addition, daily return flights from Ogle to Lethem are available.

Tourists are permitted to travel into the interior without a guide but in the case of Amerindian settlements, prior approval must be obtained from the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs. Organised tours of the interior, including rainforest areas could be arranged at:

Rainforest Tours (Hotel Tower)
74-75 Main Street
Georgetown
Guyana
Tel: 00 592 227 2011-14
Fax: 00 592 231 5005

When considering the legal adoption of a child in Guyana, the first step is to apply to the Adoption Board by submitting the necessary Application and Medical Forms. These forms may be obtained from the Secretary of the Adoption Board, Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security, Georgetown, Guyana.

Anyone is allowed to apply, but those who are married must do so jointly. After this, applicants will be invited for an interview. Applicants will be invited to appear personally, as no one will be permitted to deputise for them.

At this interview, the child's birth certificate and (if married) applicant's marriage certificate must be presented. Other documents such as death certificates (in the case of the death of a spouse or child's parent or parents) as well as divorce papers etc. may also be required, depending on the circumstances of each particular case.

The next step is to obtain the consent of each of the child's parents. The Board does this by writing to them, explaining the effects of an adoption order, and asking them to give their consent in writing on the specified forms. Obtaining these is important and a prerequisite except in special circumstances when the Court could be asked to dispense with the consents after advertising the adoption in the media.

Once these have been ordained, the Adoption Board will write the applicant's again advising them to file two copies of their legal papers to the Supreme Court. This is to have the Board appointed the Guardian Ad Litem of the child. This process should be done by retaining the services of a Lawyer.

A copy of the documents filed will be sent to the Adoption Board by the Supreme Court Registry, or alternatively the Lawyer could serve a certified copy of all the legal papers (i.e. Summons, Affidavit, Forms A, B and D) on the Adoption Board.

The adoption application is then continued. A visit will be paid to the applicants' home to have further discussions with them and the child or children. A report on the case is then written and presented to a meeting of the Adoption Board to which the applicants and child (or children) will also be invited.

A decision will then be made by the Adoption Board and if it is favourable the Adoption case will then be recommended to the High Court of the Supreme Judicature for the making of the Final Order.

At some later date, the applicants, the child or children, and their parents (if alive) will be given notice to attend the Supreme Court before a Judge in Chambers for the making of the Final Order.

Within a few weeks the applicants will be able to purchase the Adoptive Certificate from the Office of the Registrar General, Guyana Post Office Building, Georgetown, Guyana.

The following sections are quoted from the Laws of Guyana- Adoption of Children Act Chapter 46:04 and may be downloaded as PDF files for your guidance.