Jamaica
If you now live in Canada and previously lived, worked, or studied in Jamaica,
many immigration, employment, and licensing processes will ask you for a Jamaica Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)
in addition to your Canadian one. Getting fingerprinted correctly is usually the first step. This guide walks through how that works
while you’re based in Canada, and how Surrey Fingerprint Company can help with the fingerprinting part.
Visit Surrey Fingerprint Company for professional, correctly-formatted fingerprints for your Jamaica police clearance
application. Email info@surreyfingerprint.com
beforehand so we can confirm the exact form and format Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) — Technical Services Division (Criminal Records Office), Kingston currently requires.
Why Would Someone in Canada Need a Jamaica PCC?
- Canadian immigration & citizenship (IRCC): if you lived in Jamaica for 6 months or more before moving to Canada, IRCC may require a police certificate from Jamaica as part of permanent residency, sponsorship, or citizenship applications.
- Immigration to a third country: if you are applying to move from Canada to another country (e.g. Australia, the UK, the US, or elsewhere), that country’s character/background check requirements often ask for a clearance from every country you’ve lived in for an extended period, including Jamaica.
- Employment & licensing: some regulated professions and international employers request a background check covering your time in Jamaica.
- Legal, banking, or property matters: some processes back in Jamaica may themselves ask you to complete identity verification via fingerprints while abroad.
The General Process From Canada
Because you’re applying from outside Jamaica, the typical path is: get fingerprinted locally in Canada in the exact
format Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) — Technical Services Division (Criminal Records Office), Kingston accepts, then send that fingerprint record to them along with the rest of your
application package.
Contact Jamaica’s issuing authority first
Confirm the current application form, required fingerprint format, fee, and mailing/submission method directly with
Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) — Technical Services Division (Criminal Records Office), Kingston — requirements can change, so always check before your appointment.
Get fingerprinted at Surrey Fingerprint Company
Bring valid photo ID and any required form. The fingerprint format usually requested for a Jamaica PCC is:
Ink-and-Roll Fingerprinting (Paper Card). We offer both ink-and-roll and digital fingerprinting on-site.
We complete your card correctly
We take your fingerprints on the correct form, complete any required identity/witness sections, and provide the card or
document ready to send.
Send your package to Jamaica
Mail or submit your fingerprint card along with your application form, ID copies, photos, and fee (as required) to
Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) — Technical Services Division (Criminal Records Office), Kingston. Use a tracked courier for original documents.
A cover letter addressed to the Senior Superintendent of Police, two passport photos, and a full set of fingerprints taken by the authorized police department (or another authorized agency) in your country of residence — the fingerprints must be stamped and signed. The Jamaican High Commission/Consulate General only notarizes the signatures; all documents must then be sent to Jamaica for processing. The Consulate General of Jamaica in Toronto directs applicants to contact RCMP CCRTIS (CCRTIS-SCICTR@rcmp-grc.gc.ca) for a list of RCMP-accredited fingerprinting companies — confirming that an RCMP-accredited agency such as Surrey Fingerprint Company is an accepted route.
Mailing address:
Technical Services Division (Criminal Records Office), Jamaica Constabulary Force, Kingston (via the Jamaican High Commission/Consulate General for notarization)
Receive your Jamaica PCC
Processing time is Normal service: 21 working days; Express service: 5 working days (plus mailing time to and from Jamaica) — confirm current fees and timelines. Some authorities mail the certificate directly to your Canadian
address; others may require pickup via a consulate or representative.
Source: Official guidance for Jamaica. Requirements can change; always confirm current details on the official page before applying.
the current requirement before your appointment so you don’t need to redo it.
clearance applications can change without notice. Always confirm current requirements directly with
Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) — Technical Services Division (Criminal Records Office), Kingston before your appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get fingerprinted in Surrey for a Jamaica PCC?
Yes. Surrey Fingerprint Company offers both ink-and-roll and digital fingerprinting, and can prepare your fingerprint card or document in the format most commonly requested for Jamaica applications. Contact us to confirm the exact form before your visit.
How long does it take to get a PCC from Jamaica while living in Canada?
Timelines vary widely by country and by how the application is submitted. As a general estimate: Normal service: 21 working days; Express service: 5 working days (plus mailing time to and from Jamaica) — confirm current fees and timelines. Confirm current processing times with the issuing authority.
Do I need an original fingerprint card, or is a scan acceptable?
This depends on Jamaica's current requirements — some authorities require original ink cards mailed physically, others accept digital submissions. We'll help you confirm which applies before you leave our office.
Can Surrey Fingerprint Company submit my application to Jamaica for me?
We handle the fingerprinting step. Submission of the full application package is generally your responsibility (or your immigration consultant/lawyer's), unless otherwise noted for a specific country.
Get Fingerprinted for Your Jamaica PCC — Surrey, BC
Email us before your visit so we can confirm the correct form and format for Jamaica.
+1 (604) 825-8882 · info@surreyfingerprint.com