Getting a Guyana passport should be simple. And in theory, it is. In practice? A lot of people show up at the passport office with the wrong documents, the wrong photos, or forms they filled out incorrectly — and end up making the trip twice.
I spent time going through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs forms, cross-checking information from multiple Guyanese consulates around the world, and talking through the process to make sure this guide actually reflects what happens in 2026 — not what some outdated post from 2019 says.
Here is everything you need to know about the Guyana passport form, the application process, the fees, and how it works whether you are applying in Georgetown or from overseas.
Table of Contents
- 1. Who Can Apply for a Guyana Passport?
- 2. New vs. Biometric Passport — What Changed in 2025?
- 3. The Guyana Passport Form (Form A) — How to Get It
- 4. Documents You Need — First-Time Applicants
- 5. Documents for Passport Renewal
- 6. Passport Photos — The Specs That Trip People Up
- 7. The Recommender — Who Qualifies?
- 8. Fees and Processing Times — 2026 Update
- 9. Where to Apply in Guyana
- 10. Applying from Overseas — UK, USA, Canada & More
- 11. Lost or Stolen Passport — What to Do
- 12. Child Passport Applications
- 13. Passport Fees Comparison Table
- 14. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- 15. Final Notes
1. Who Can Apply for a Guyana Passport?
Any person who holds Guyanese citizenship can apply. That includes citizens by birth, by descent, by registration, or by naturalisation.
One thing worth flagging early: if your passport has less than six months of validity left, you are already required to apply for a new one — not just for travel convenience, but because many countries will reject you at immigration if your passport expires within six months of your planned return date.
Also worth knowing: Guyanese passports are not renewable. When yours expires, you apply for an entirely new one. You do not extend or renew the existing document.
2. New vs. Biometric Passport – What Changed in 2025?
On February 10, 2025, Guyana launched a new biometric e-passport. This is a significant upgrade from the older machine-readable passport (MRP). The new document contains a chip that stores your biometric data — fingerprints, facial recognition data — and meets international standards for e-passports.
If you are applying in 2026, you will receive this new biometric version. The process for applying is essentially the same as before, but you will need to attend in person to have your biometric data captured — fingerprints and a digital photo. You cannot do this by mail.
| Important The new e-passport comes in both 5-year and 10-year validity options. Previously, only 5-year passports were standard. The 10-year option is now available and worth considering if you travel frequently. |
3. The Guyana Passport Form (Form A) – How to Get It
The official application form is called Form A. It is the same form used for new applications and renewals. Here is where to get it:
- In Guyana: Pick it up in person at the Passport Office, or download it from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website at minfor.gov.gy.
- Overseas: Download it from the website of your nearest Guyana consulate or embassy. Most consulate websites have a direct download link.
- From the Ministry of Foreign Affairs directly: The form is available at minfor.gov.gy/forms/passport-application-form — this is the most up-to-date version.
Fill it out in black ink. That is not a suggestion — it is a requirement. And before you start, read page 1 of the form. Sounds obvious, but the instructions there clear up most of the common mistakes people make.
| => Pro Tip Print two copies of everything before you go. The passport office requires originals AND photocopies of most documents. Showing up with only originals means an extra trip to the copier — and potentially losing your place in the queue. |
4. Documents You Need – First-Time Applicants
First-time means you have never held a Guyanese passport before. Or you are switching from the old handwritten (non-machine-readable) green passport to the new biometric one — the office treats this similarly to a first-time application.
Here is what you need to bring:
- Completed Form A — filled in black ink, signed where required
- Original Birth Certificate — must show parents’ full names and nationalities. Bring one photocopy as well.
- National Identification Card — valid Guyana national ID. Original plus one photocopy.
- Two passport-sized photographs — specific specs below in Section 6. Get these right or you will be sent back.
- Statutory Declaration — required if you have never previously held a passport AND your only proof of citizenship is your birth certificate. Sworn before a Justice of the Peace.
- Recommender section completed — someone who has known you for two or more years must complete Section 7 of Form A. Details on who qualifies below.
- Payment — fees vary by passport type. See the comparison table in Section 13.
If you were born abroad to Guyanese parents, you will need additional documentation proving your parents’ citizenship. This usually means their birth certificates or passports. Worth checking with the passport office in advance if you are in this situation.
5. Documents for Passport Renewal
Renewal is a bit more straightforward than a first-time application — you have most of what you need already.
- Completed Form A — same form, same rules
- Current or expired passport — yes, even an expired one. The office will cancel it and either return it to you or retain it.
- National Identification Card — original and photocopy
- Two passport photographs — same specs as first-time application
- Birth Certificate — may be requested if the office needs to verify information
- Payment — see comparison table
One thing people often miss: if your name has changed since your last passport — through marriage, divorce, or deed poll — you need to bring the supporting document. Marriage certificate, divorce decree, or the registered deed poll, whichever applies. Original plus photocopy.
| Note Apply for renewal at least 6 months before your passport expires if you travel frequently. Some countries will deny boarding if your passport expires within 6 months of your return date — even if the passport itself is technically still valid. |
6. Passport Photos The Specs That Trip People Up
This is where a surprising number of applications get rejected or delayed. The photo requirements are specific and the office does check them.
Here is exactly what is required:
- Size: Minimum 32mm x 26mm, maximum 35mm x 45mm
- Background: Plain white only. No colours, no patterns, no shadows
- Expression: Neutral. No smiling, no frowning, mouth closed
- Head coverings: Not accepted — except for religious purposes, and only if your full facial features are clearly visible
- Glasses: Not accepted
- Earrings/studs: Not accepted for male applicants
- Taken within: Last 3 months
- Quantity: Two identical, coloured photographs
I have seen people show up with photos that were slightly too small, or had a light grey background instead of white, and been turned away. Get this done at a professional photo studio that knows passport specifications — it costs a few hundred dollars and saves a lot of time.
7. The Recommender – Who Qualifies?
The recommender is the person who completes Section 7 of Form A and certifies that the information you have provided is accurate to the best of their knowledge.
Requirements for the recommender:
- Must have known the applicant personally for two or more years
- Must NOT be an immediate family member — not a parent, spouse, sibling, child, uncle, aunt
- Must sign on the reverse side of one of your photographs with the words: “I certify that this is a true likeness of [your name]”
- For overseas applications — the recommender does not need to be Guyanese
If you genuinely cannot find a non-family recommender, some offices accept a Statutory Declaration from a sibling or parent confirming your identity — but this is a fallback, not standard. Confirm with your local office before relying on it.
8. Fees and Processing Times – 2026 Update
Processing times and fees are the two things people search for most. Here is what I found:
In Guyana (Georgetown Passport Office): Standard processing is around 15 working days. Expedited processing is available for an additional surcharge of GYD 20,000 on top of the base fee — this brings processing down to roughly 3–5 working days.
Overseas: Processing times are significantly longer. Applications submitted at consulates are sent to Georgetown for processing. Depending on the location, expect 6 to 12 weeks from submission. Overseas consulates generally do not offer expedited processing.
Fees vary by office location and currency. See the full comparison table in Section 13.
9. Where to Apply in Guyana
Applications are processed at the Passport Office in Georgetown, which operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The office handles new applications, renewals, and replacements.
Hours as of 2026 — Monday to Thursday 8:00am to 4:30pm, Friday 8:00am to 3:30pm. These are the working hours listed on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (minfor.gov.gy), though it is always worth calling ahead to confirm as holiday schedules can affect availability.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs address for inquiries: minfor@minfor.gov.gy, phone (592) 226-1606/8 or 225-6467.
| =>Pro Tip An online passport application portal was announced and is expected to launch sometime in 2026. As of this writing, all applications still require in-person submission. Check minfor.gov.gy for the latest updates on this — if it launches, it will significantly change the process. |
10. Applying from Overseas – UK, USA, Canada & More
Guyanese living abroad apply through their nearest embassy or consulate. The documents required are essentially the same as in Guyana, but there are a few differences worth knowing.
United States (New York Consulate)
The Consulate General in New York handles US-based applicants. Fee for passport services is USD $100, payable in cash in person, by money order, or debit/credit card payable to “Consulate General of Guyana, New York“. Processing time begins when documents arrive in Georgetown — not when you submit to the consulate. Plan for 6–8 weeks minimum.
United Kingdom
The High Commission or Embassy in the UK serves UK-based applicants. Payment must be made by bank transfer at least 3 days before your appointment — cash is not accepted at the embassy. Appointments are required; walk-ins are not processed. Completed applications are then sent to Georgetown for processing.
Canada (Toronto Consulate)
The Toronto Consulate serves Canada. Applications are sent to Georgetown for processing, which takes approximately 6–8 weeks. The consulate does not retain passports — they copy the relevant pages and return originals to you before sending the application forward.
Belgium (Brussels Embassy)
Passports must be collected in person at the Embassy once processed. Children under 18 need a parent present for collection.
For a full list of Guyanese embassies and consulates worldwide, visit minfor.gov.gy.
11. Lost or Stolen Passport – What to Do
Losing a passport is stressful. Here is the process:
- File a police report — immediately report the loss or theft to your local police station. Get a certified, stamped, signed copy of the report.
- Complete a Sworn Affidavit — a statutory declaration explaining the circumstances of the loss. This can be done before a Justice of the Peace, Notary Public, or Commissioner of Oaths.
- Complete Form A — the standard application form
- Submit all standard documents — birth certificate, ID, photos, recommender section
- Expect a longer process — lost passport applications go through a review process. Processing takes longer than standard renewal.
If your passport was lost overseas, contact the nearest Guyanese embassy or consulate immediately. They can also issue emergency travel documents if you need to travel urgently while waiting for a replacement.
12. Child Passport Applications
Child passports — for applicants under 18 — are issued as 5-year passports regardless of age.
Key things to know:
- Both parents ideally need to be present, or one parent must provide a No Objection Letter from the absent parent
- The letter must confirm consent for the child’s passport application
- If there is a guardianship arrangement, legal guardianship documents must be provided
- Children between 10 and 17 must sign the application form themselves — there is a signature box on page 2
- Children under 10 do not sign
For more on Guyana’s legal and documentation processes, see our guide on the Guyana Birth Certificate: What the Process Really Looks Like.
13. Passport Fees Comparison Table — 2026
Here is a quick reference for fees and processing times across different application types:
| Type | Validity | Fee (GYD) | Processing (Local) | Processing (Overseas) |
| New Passport (5yr) | 5 years | ~GYD 6,000 | 15 working days | 6–12 weeks |
| New Passport (10yr) | 10 years | ~GYD 9,000+ | 15 working days | 6–12 weeks |
| Expedited (local only) | 5 or 10 yr | +GYD 20,000 surcharge | 3–5 working days | Not available overseas |
| Child (under 18) | 5 years | ~GYD 6,000 | 15 working days | 6–12 weeks |
| Lost/Stolen Replacement | 5 or 10 yr | Higher fee + police report | Longer — case review | Longer — affidavit needed |
Note: Fees quoted in GYD for local applications. Overseas fees are typically higher and paid in local currency. Always confirm current fees directly with your local passport office or consulate before applying, as these can change.
14. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
| Where can I download the Guyana passport application form? |
| The official Form A can be downloaded from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website at minfor.gov.gy/forms/passport-application-form. It is also available from Guyanese embassies and consulates worldwide, and can be picked up in person at the Passport Office in Georgetown. |
| How long does a Guyana passport take to process? |
| In Guyana, standard processing takes approximately 15 working days. Expedited processing (additional surcharge of GYD 20,000) takes 3–5 working days. Overseas applications take 6–12 weeks from the date documents are received in Georgetown — not from when you submit to the consulate. |
| How much does a Guyana passport cost in 2026? |
| A 5-year passport costs approximately GYD 6,000 for standard processing. A 10-year passport costs more. Expedited processing adds a GYD 20,000 surcharge. Overseas fees are higher and paid in local currency — USD $100 at the New York Consulate, for example. Confirm current fees with your specific office before applying. |
| Can I apply for a Guyana passport if I live abroad? |
| Yes. Guyanese citizens living overseas apply through the nearest Guyanese embassy or consulate. The documents required are essentially the same as in Guyana. Applications are then sent to Georgetown for processing. Overseas processing typically takes 6–12 weeks. |
| Do I need a recommender for my Guyana passport application? |
| Yes, for first-time applicants and those who no longer have a machine-readable passport. The recommender completes Section 7 of Form A and must have known you personally for at least two years. They cannot be an immediate family member. For overseas applicants, the recommender does not need to be Guyanese. |
| Is the Guyana passport renewable? |
| No. Guyanese passports are not renewable. When your passport expires, you apply for an entirely new passport using the standard Form A process. |
| What is the new Guyana biometric passport? |
| Guyana launched a new biometric e-passport on February 10, 2025. It contains a chip storing biometric data including fingerprints and a digital facial image. All new passport applications in 2026 will result in the biometric version. You need to apply in person to have your biometric data captured. |
15. Final Notes
The Guyana passport process is manageable once you know what to bring. The two things that cause the most delays — wrong photos and missing documents — are both avoidable if you go through the checklist in this guide before you go.
If you are applying in Guyana, try to go early in the morning. Queues at the passport office can get long, especially on Mondays and around public holidays. If you are applying overseas, confirm your appointment process with the specific consulate — each one operates slightly differently.
For questions about travel to Guyana, including the US Travel Bond Waiver that many diaspora Guyanese ask about, see our detailed guide on the Guyana-US Travel Bond Waiver The $15,000 Rumor Explained