How To Obtain A Belize Passport

April 6, 2024
by Larry Waight +

Whether you were born or naturalized as a Belizean citizen, you might want to obtain a passport because you will need one to travel abroad. The following will go over in detail what you need to do in order to obtain a Belize passport.

Have Belizean Citizenship

You cannot receive a Belizean passport if you are not a citizen of Belize. Per Belize law, you can become a citizen in a few ways. The first is if you were born in Belize, in which case you automatically are granted citizenship. This is the most straightforward way to become a citizen. The only exceptions to this are if your parent is a citizen of a country at war with Belize or has diplomatic immunity.

The other path to citizenship is to become a naturalized citizen. To obtain a passport as a naturalized citizen, you must have met the requirements to become one and obtained a Nationality Certificate. If you are married to a Belizean citizen, you must normally complete 1 year of residency before being able to apply for citizenship. Otherwise, completing 5 years of residency is the requirement.

Belize also allows citizenship by descent. People born abroad to at least one Belizean citizen are granted citizenship status, and you are also entitled to citizenship if at least one grandparent is a citizen. Individuals who became citizens under the 1948 British Nationality Act automatically became citizens when Belize obtained full independence in 1981.

In Belize, dual nationality is permitted, allowing you to be a citizen of Belize and another country at the same time. Because Belize is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, Belizean citizens are Commonwealth citizens as well.

The Documents You Will Need

To get a passport in Belize, you will need the following documents:

Your birth certificate.
Personal identification such as a voter ID card, previous passport, or social security card.
Your wedding certificate or divorce certificate, if applicable.
Nationality Certificate, if applicable.

You will also need two recent photos that are the appropriate size per current regulations and were taken within three months of the date of your application. They should be on standard photo paper with no gloss on the back.

There has been an increase in immigration documents being obtained improperly, so officials are being especially vigilant when reviewing applications. Be sure to have all of your documentation in order and confirm what you need before submission to avoid delays.

Completing An Application

Once you have all of your documentation in order, your next step is to apply for a passport. You can obtain an application form online, at any immigration office in Belize, or at any Belizean embassy or consulate. Family members may need to fill out the information in certain sections of the application and an authorized official will need to witness your signature. The official will also need to sign the backs of the photographs you submit, confirming that they are of you.

Upon completion, submit your application in person at an immigration office in Belize’s major cities, such as Belmopan or Belize City. The processing fee is $50 for adults and $30 for minors under age 16. Passports are typically ready in two to three weeks but can be expedited for valid reasons at the discretion of the official in charge or for an additional fee.

If You Live Abroad

If you live abroad and are trying to secure a passport, you can apply for one at various Belize embassies and consulates around the world. In the United States, this includes the locations in Washington, D.C., New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles. The Belize Foreign Missions in London, England, or Taipei, Taiwan are also options. For applicants living abroad, their applications will have to be notarized.

Other Important Things To Keep In Mind

In Belize, the headquarters of the Immigration Department is located in the capital Belmopan. They are the best resource for information based on your particular situation and citizenship status. You can go in person during regular weekday business hours or reach them by phone or e-mail.

While dual citizenship is permitted by Belize, it is not permitted by some other countries so if the second country does not allow dual citizenship, you will have to renounce your citizenship with that country upon obtaining Belizean citizenship. Guatemala is a noteworthy example.

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Knowingly making a false statement on your passport application is illegal and carries a one-year prison sentence in Belize and/or a fine of $500.

When picking up your passport, it is advised to return to the same office where you applied. You can have it sent elsewhere but this will result in an additional delay.

Because requirements for getting a passport change, be sure to verify what you need with a representative of the Immigration Department before submitting your application.