Belize Passport Renewal: Understanding The Cost And Process

Renewing a passport in Belize costs $200 USD, or $300 USD if the passport is lost, stolen or damaged. This is a significant increase from the previous cost of $50 BZD for adults and $30 BZD for applicants under 16. The Belizean government raised the price of passports by 400% in April 2023, citing increased printing costs. The cost of an adult passport in Belize is now BZ$200.00, while a standard child passport costs BZ$150.00.

Cost of a standard adult passport: BZ$200.00

The cost of a standard adult passport in Belize is BZ$200.00. This applies to both first-time applicants and renewals. The Belizean passport is a CARICOM passport, allowing Belizeans to travel without a visa to CARICOM, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica, the UK, and several other countries.

The passport application process must be undertaken in person by the applicant and requires an appointment. The application package must be complete, including all supporting documentation, and the applicant must bring the original documents and copies when submitting their application.

The submission of a renewal or new passport typically requires the following:

• Birth certificate
• Evidence of Belizean citizenship
• Identity documents with a photo and signature
• Documents that prove any change of name

Additionally, applicants need to provide a passport photo that complies with the specified requirements and appoint a recommender who meets the necessary criteria. The recommender must sign the application form and the back of the passport photo.

The processing time for a standard passport is approximately three weeks, while emergency passports can be processed within five days for an additional fee of BZ$100.

Cost of a standard child passport: BZ$150.00

The cost of a standard child passport in Belize is BZ$150.00. This is the fee for a renewal passport for children, as well as for a first-time applicant passport. This is in contrast to the BZ$200 fee for a standard adult passport.

The Belize Passport application process must be undertaken in person by the applicant. All applicants are processed through appointments only. To make an appointment, individuals can call (202) 332-9636 or email [email protected] or [email protected].

The Belize Passport Application package must be complete. Embassy personnel are unable to accept an incomplete package. The package must be printed and signed by the applicant, and all information must be accurate.

The required documents for Belizeans renewing a machine-readable passport include:

• A completed Belize e-passport application form
• A COPY of the original birth certificate or deed poll
• A copy of the Belize machine-readable passport of the applicant's recommender
• One 2"x2" passport photo—no sleeveless blouse, no smiling, mouth closed, no glasses, no earrings, visible ears, chin, forehead, and neck—signed on the back by the applicant's recommender
• The applicant's expired Belize passport

Cost of a lost/stolen adult passport: $300 USD

If your adult passport has been lost or stolen, you will need to budget $300 USD to replace it. This fee is significantly higher than the cost of a standard renewal, reflecting the additional administrative costs involved in replacing a lost or stolen passport.

When applying for a new passport to replace a lost or stolen one, you can expect a similar process to that of a standard renewal. This includes completing the relevant application form and submitting it, along with supporting documents, to the passport office. You may also need to attend an interview to verify your identity and complete the necessary paperwork.

To support your application, you will generally need to provide proof of your identity and citizenship, such as a birth or naturalization certificate. Additionally, an official report confirming the loss or theft of your passport, obtained from the police or a similar authority, will likely be required. Remember that the specific requirements may vary depending on your unique circumstances, so it is recommended to check with the relevant authorities to ensure you have all the necessary documentation.

It is important to note that replacing a lost or stolen passport can often be a more complex and lengthy process than a standard renewal. Therefore, allowing extra time for the processing of your application is advisable. The flat-rate fee for an adult passport in this situation does not include any potential additional costs, such as those for expedited services or new passport photos.

If your passport is lost or stolen while you are abroad, it is important to understand that the replacement process and associated fees may differ. In such cases, reporting the incident to both the local police and your country's embassy or consulate is typically the first step. They can then guide you through the specific procedures and costs involved in obtaining a replacement passport while overseas.

Cost of a first-time adult passport: $200 USD

The cost of a first-time adult passport in Belize is $200 USD. This is a recent development, as the Government of Belize raised the price of passports by 400% in April 2023, citing increased printing costs.

To apply for a Belizean passport, you must be a Belizean citizen. Anyone born in Belize is a citizen of Belize. You may also be a Belizean citizen if you have obtained a Nationality Certificate, which is issued to individuals who have become citizens through naturalization, marriage, or descent through their parents.

The application process must be undertaken in person and requires an appointment. The application package must be complete, including all supporting documentation, or it will not be accepted. The application fee must be paid at the time of submission.

In addition to the completed application form, you will need to provide the following documents:

• Your birth certificate
• Evidence of Belizean citizenship
• Identity documents with your photo and signature
• Documents that prove any change of name (if applicable)
• Two recent passport-size colour photographs (2 inches by 2 inches)
• A completed recommendation section, including the full name, address, phone number, and current valid passport details of your recommender, as well as a copy of their passport

Where to renew: Belmopan or Belize City

The Belize Passport application process must be undertaken in person by the applicant. All applicants are processed by appointment only. To make an appointment, you can contact the relevant office by telephone or email.

If you are living in Belize, you can submit your completed application form and documents in person to the passport office in the City of Belmopan or Belize City. The Immigration Department Headquarters is located in Belmopan, with office hours from 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday. The address is Mountain View Boulevard, City of Belmopan, Cayo District, Belize.

If you are living abroad, you can apply for a passport at the embassy or consulate of Belize in Washington D.C., New York City, Los Angeles, or Chicago. Outside of North America, you can apply at the Belize Foreign Mission in London or Taipei, Taiwan.

It is important to note that the passport processing stations in the United States are not able to offer an expedited service.

Frequently asked questions