September 2017 -
The new polymer birth papers with an online request number required 4 hours (7.45am to 11.45am) to be received at San Fernando. The online needs a lot of work still since you still have to wait a long time for the certificate, though it is a shorter/different line.
The online request was made the night before via
https://rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/ttEventSearchClient/entry.m and the receipt number had to be noted before exiting the final page. The site asks for an email but does not actually send an email out with your confirmation number. I actually had to repeat the process because I did not make a note of the request number the first time I tried to register. It is free to create as many requests as you need. You pay $25ttd for each of the copies you request when you go into the office, cash only.
If you try to collect anything in addition to the birth certificate you need to join a different line which may require you to take a number. During lunch time the CSRs staggered their break times so there was always at least one working. I have heard there is a limit to the total number of prints a person can have but I was able to get 14 prints.
Original post:
I recently (March 2017) had to go to the Ministry of legal affairs (MLA). This is my personal account along with another person who went to the Port of Spain (POS) and San Fernando offices. These experiences should not be taken as typical and I am not responsible for your experience or issues encountered.
I tried calling the POS office but their PBX system is out of order and no operator answers. I called San Fernando and got no answer there either. Someone answered at Arima and I was able to get an extension for a department in the POS office. When I called that extension I was fortunate enough to get a very helpful guy who checked my case and said I could come in and advised that I go in early to get a number and that the cashier closes at 3.00pm.
I parked in the parkade (Edward Street) at around 6.40am. Then I walked to the Port of Spain MLA office and got there around 6.55am. At the main door I had to pass through security. There were 2 steps to climb to get into the entrance. I did not see a wheelchair ramp. Security was pleasant and gave directions to go to the waiting room at the back. They gave me a number chit and after I asked and did some calculations I was about number 60. You did not need a number if you applied online for a birth certificate.
There were a couple benches along the way to the waiting room. The room itself is approximately 15 feet by 30 feet. It is carpeted and has about 50 black padded chairs. Most of the chairs were fabric and some were a leather material. All of them were stained. The front of the room had a table and chairs with forms for different requests. Each form was a different shape and size. No pens were provided. There were two AC units that were coated in black dust. When people walked in and out I could smell the dust being kicked up. The man next to me said he lined up on the pavement outside at 5.15am and he was the fourth person. At around 6.30am he asked the guard what time the doors open and was told 7.00am. He then decided to go across the road to get something to eat. One minute after he left, the doors opened and he lost his spot and got the number thirty chit.
Around 8.00am an official came and asked a batch of numbers to line up in the order of the chits received. She then checked that the correct forms were filled out and that people had all the necessary documents (like authorization letters, affidavits, ID cards, receipt booking numbers etc) for their particular request. That batch was taken out of the room. Anyone who applied for a birth certificate online was also called up.
A little after 9.00am my batch of about 20 people were then taken to another area with less than 20 chairs. This area was right next to a male and female washroom. The washrooms were in decent condition. There was a screen here showing the numbers that were being announced. On the wall was a poster saying that service dogs were allowed in the building. I overheard people that got numbers over 200 for the day being told to come back after 2.00pm.
Around 10.00am a batch of about 15 were taken to another seating area with less than 15 chairs. Here we saw numbered counters and people queued up to some of them. A few minutes later my number was called. At the counter I presented my forms. The lady reviewed them and gave me a slip as well as told me the amount to pay at the cashier counter. You can get multiple copies of any of these certificates. There is a total limit of five documents(certificates) per person. I know one person who was conducting business for her whole family and was lucky enough to talk their way past this limit.
At the cashier counter were signs saying 'no cards' and 'cash only'. After the cashier finished his chat with his coworker I paid and got a receipt. My total was $50 but I gave him $110 and got $60 change since he did not have any $10 bills. A birth paper or a marriage or death certificate is $25ttd each. I thought that there should be a price list posted online as well as a notice outside the front door saying cash only so people will know how much cash to walk with.
I then presented my receipt to the collections counter. After a few clicks my certificates were printed out and handed to me and I left the building.
The experience was very similar at San Fernando except that the numbering system was only applied to some people and some were called in without numbers. This was total chaos as you can imagine that some people were extremely upset that people arriving after them were called in before. Parking for the San Fernando office is along the side streets so be considerate not to block driveways and obey no parking signs.
Tips:
- Numbers are provided in the morning because the offices can only handle so many people per day. If you go early in the morning and collect a number you can leave and come back later but there is no guarantee you will be allowed back in because they may be very crowded that day. Only numbers given out in the morning are valid for a given day, so if you go back another day you will need a new number.
- Carry authorization letters from anybody (spouse, parent, child, sibling etc.) you are conducting business on behalf of other wise you will not be allowed to.
- Explain your request to the guards who are able to give some guidance but ask as many questions to any officers you see. Do not be shy because you may not have the right forms or be in the right line and can end up wasting your time. All the officials dealt with were courteous and helpful.
- You do not need to carry the original birth certificate in order to get the polymer one. The info will be the same as on your previous certificate, unless you are making a change. The 'blue' birth paper will continue to be valid.
- Hindu and Muslim marriage certificates will not show any info for the bride's address and occupation. It currently takes about 3 months after your request is submitted to be able to get the marriage certificate.
- Carry an envelope to keep your certificates in because one will not be provided.
- Carry a pen to complete your forms.
- You are allowed to leave and re-enter the buildings as much as you like but you should pay attention to the batches of numbers being called forward.
Updated September 6th 2017.
Topics:
How to get birth paper certificate
How to get death certificate
How to get marriage certificate
Where to get name changed on birth paper
How much for new polymer birth paper
How long does it take to get marriage certificate
Register for new birth paper online
