APPLYING FOR A BRITISH OVERSEAS TERRITORY CITIZEN (TCI) PASSPORT

Transition to Electronic Transfer of Passport Applications to the United Kingdom

The implications of this is that persons who qualify and submit applications in accordance with published guidance will experience shorter processing times and by extension a swifter return of their printed Turks and Caicos Islands passport.

The decision to transfer the printing of passports followed recommendations made by UK Parliamentary Committees and the National Audit Office in 2007, that production of British passports be repatriated to Her Majesty’s passport Office (then the Identity and Passport Service) in the UK.

A Working Group, consisting of senior officials from each of the UK Overseas Territories was set up in 2011 to identify potential issues and to ensure that the revised processes were workable and sustainable.

The transfer of passport applications from the Turks and Caicos Islands commenced in July 2015 and we are pleased that less than a year later, a time related element of the process has been introduced which will result in faster turn-around times. In addition to this, British Overseas Territory Citizens of Turks and Caicos Islands are now bearing new style passports containing more sophisticated security features which meets international quality and security standards.

Having now entered the final phase of this project, passports can now be returned within 10 days.

For further information or questions, please refer to the following

Telephone number: (649) 338-2940

Email address: tcipassport@gov.tc

Transition to Electronic Transfer of Passport Applications to the United Kingdom

Eligibility

You can apply for a British Overseas Territory Citizen (Turks and Caicos Islands) passport if you have British Overseas Territory Citizenship. However, there are some circumstances where your application can be refused or your existing passport can be retained.

Your eligibility and entitlement to a British Overseas Territory passport will be considered when you apply.

Who is British Overseas Territories Citizen?

Prior to 26 February 2002 British overseas territories citizenship was called ‘British dependent territories citizenship’.

If you were born before 1 January 1983

You became a British overseas territories citizen on 1 January 1983 if both of these applied:

  • you were a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies on 31 December 1982
  • you had connections with a British overseas territory because you, your parents or your grandparents were born, registered or naturalised in that British overseas territory

You also became a British overseas territories citizen if you were a woman married to a man who became a British overseas territories citizen on 1 January 1983.

If you were born on or after 1 January 1983

You’re a British overseas territories citizen if both the following apply:

  • you were born in a British overseas territory
  • at the time of your birth one of your parents was a British overseas territories citizen or legally settled in a British overseas territory

You’re also a British overseas territories citizen if one of the following applies:

  • you were adopted in an overseas territory by a British overseas territories citizen
  • you were born outside the overseas territory to a parent who at the time of your birth had British overseas territories citizenship in their own right (known as ‘otherwise than by descent’)

If you are unsure about whether you are a British Overseas Territory Citizen please refer to the document Do I need to Naturalise.

How to Apply for a Passport

Step 1 - Complete the Application Form

You must acquire and complete the required application form. The application form comes with guidance notes to help you fill it in. Passport Application Forms are available;

  • online via the attached link British Overseas Territories Passport Application Form
  • at the Ministry of Border Control and Employment One Stop Shop Customer Service Centres located at Sam’s Building, Providenciales and Three Degrees Office Complex, Grand Turk
  • at the Immigration Department Offices or District Commissioners’ offices on the island of South Caicos and North Caicos
  • at the District Commissioner’s Office on Salt Cay

If you are renewing your passport and your previous passport is lost or stolen, you are also required to complete the Lost and Stolen form and provide a police report about the incident.

Important Notes:

  • Application forms must not be printed on both sides of the paper or stapled together.
  • Photocopies of completed application forms are not acceptable. That is, you cannot fill in an application and submit a photo copy of the application to us.
  • If you are printing your own application form, you cannot use paper weight that is less than 24 bond.

What Happens Next

You will be contacted if additional documents are needed or if it is necessary to conduct an interview. If none of the above are required, your application will be case-worked and you will be contacted when the passport is available for collection.

How Long It Takes

It takes at least 4 weeks to get your passport. Don’t book travel until you’ve got it. If this is your first passport, the Passport Office may ask to interview you as part of the application process. If you have a medical emergency, please contact (649) 338-2940 for assistance.