A Minister of Religion/ Pastor, a Muslim or Hindu Priest who resides in Jamaica and is in charge of a church, who has the desire to perform a marriage in the Island of Jamaica, can apply for a marriage officer’s licence.  This application can be made at the Registrar General’s Department Head Office, Twickenham Park, Spanish Town, St. Catherine.  The procedures are as follows:

 Requirements

1.   Letter of application to the Registrar General in applicant’s own handwriting (including where the church or churches are located and the number of members in the congregations).

2.  Applicant’s Birth Certificate

3.  Any document noting a change of name (Deed Polls, Marriage Certificate and Adoption Certificate)

4.   One (1) Passport Size Photograph

5.    Resume

6.    Three (3) letters of recommendation to be submitted:

• One from the head of the denomination

• Two from two other Ministers of Religion who are already Marriage Officers.

Process

1.  A written Test is given or applicant is exempted from test if he/she posses a Bachelor of Science Degree or a Master of Science Degree.

2.  Interview procedure is completed depending on qualifications of the applicant.

3.  If applicant is successful in passing the test given ; then

4.  A police investigation is conducted

5.   If the investigation is successful and an offence is not committed by the applicant, a report from the police would be sent to the RGD

6.  A letter of recommendation would be sent from the RGD to the Ministry of Health for approval to become a Marriage Officer.

7.  The appointment is then gazetted

8.  Marriage Officer is then trained by RGD

9.   A Marriage Register is given for use to the appointed Marriage Officer