Government of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago

Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs

FAQ for the Consulate General in Toronto, Canada

Can I apply for my ID card?

No. ID Cards are for residents of Trinidad & Tobago. Applications can be filed at the Elections & Boundaries Commission (EBC) and can only be acquired after living in Trinidad & Tobago for 1 year.

What services are provided by the Consulate General, Toronto?

Consular Services provided are:

  • Issuing passports or emergency travel documents.
  • Assisting people detained, arrested or imprisoned.
  • Advise on how to transfer funds in case of emergency.
  • Providing assistance in connection with deaths abroad and the return of remains to Trinidad and Tobago.
  • Accepting applications for Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate, Divorce Certificate, Police Certificate of Character.
  • Authentication of documents.
  • Registration of nationals abroad.
With regards to Adoption, where can I find more information?

For more information about adoption, please call or visit the Adoption Board between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays.

Adoption Board of
Trinidad and Tobago
ABMA Building
55-57 St. Vincent Street
Port of Spain
Trinidad, West Indies
Tel. (868) 627-4447

Adoption Board of
Trinidad and Tobago
82 Independence Ave
San Fernando
Trinidad, West Indies
Tel. (868) 657-5866

Social Welfare Office
 TAM Building
Glen Road
Scarborough
Tobago, West Indies
Tel. (868) 639-2673

How long does the process take?

There is no fixed time period within which an adoption can be finalized. As a general guide, adoption applications usually take nine months or more to complete.

How do I apply to adopt a child?

There are two ways to adopt a child through the Adoption Board:

  • You can make a request to the Board for a child to be placed in your care.
  • If you have a child or children already in your care, you can approach the Board to formalize the agreement.

The following steps must be followed to adopt a child:

  • Visit the nearest office of the Adoption Board for an informal interview with an adoption officer.
  • Complete the application form provided by the interviewing officer (if the applicant is a suitable candidate) and submit the following documents with the application form:
    • A valid form of national picture identification (passport, driver’s permit, ID card).
    • Medical reports from a doctor who is registered with the Medical Board of Trinidad and Tobago.
    • Certificate of Character from the Criminal Records Office of the Police Service (information on how to obtain this document can be found by following the link below).
    • Any other documents the Board may request at the time of the initial interview.
  • Indicate the description of the child to be adopted (for persons requesting a placement).
  • Attend a private court hearing at the request of the court.

An Adoption Order is prepared when the adoption is finalised that permanently transfers the parental rights and responsibilities from the natural parents to the adoptive parents. An Adoption Certificate is issued that replaces the birth certificate.

What fees do I need to pay to adopt a child?

The services of the Adoption Board are provided free of charge, however, applicants are responsible for the cost of their own medical examinations and preparation of other documents, such as the Certificate of Character.

Am I eligible to adopt a child?

The following criteria must be met by persons applying to adopt a child:

  • Applicants must be 25 years old, and at least 21 years older than the child to be adopted.
  • In a case where the sole applicant is a male, the court must be satisfied that there are special circumstances to justify the application. Single adults are eligible to adopt.
  • All applicants must be resident and living in Trinidad and Tobago. New legislation is expected in the future to facilitate applications from persons residing overseas.
What is adoption?

Adoption is the permanent legal transfer of parental rights and responsibilities for a child from the natural birth parents to another adult known as the adopter. Adults over the age of 25 who meet specific criteria may be eligible to adopt a child.

The Adoption Board of the Ministry of Social Development follows a stringent evaluation process to ensure that children are placed with adoptive parents who meet the Board’s criteria. Prospective adoptive parents are investigated and evaluated before they are approved as suitable candidates for adoption to ensure that children will be safe, loved and nurtured. The identities of both the birth parents and the adopters remain confidential. However, when the child reaches the age of 18, the court may be approached to release any information that is available.

Where can voting be done?

Voting can only be done in Trinidad & Tobago during a Parliamentary election, Municipal Corporations election or Tobago House of Assembly election in Trinidad and Tobago.

Who is eligible to vote?
  • A citizen of Trinidad and Tobago who is 18 years of age or older and has resided in an electoral district/constituency for at least two months prior to the Qualifying Date.
  • A Commonwealth citizen, 18 years of age or older, whom has resided legally in Trinidad and Tobago for a period of at least one year and has resided in an electoral district/constituency for a least two months prior to the Qualifying Date.
  • A Non-Commonwealth Citizen, 18 years of age or older, whom has resided legally in Trinidad and Tobago for a period of at least five years and has resided in an electoral district/constituency for a least two months prior to the Qualifying Date.

  • Non-Commonwealth Citizens are only eligible to vote in City or Borough elections within Trinidad. They cannot vote in Parliamentary or Tobago House of Assembly elections.

    • Can I renew my Driver's permit?

    No. Driver’s permits can only be renewed at the Transport Division office of the Ministry of Works and Transport in Trinidad & Tobago.

    Transport Division Offices

     

    ARIMA

    O’meara Road

    Arima

    Trinidad, West Indies

    Tel. (868) 667-0172

     

    CHAGUANAS

    Corner Main Road and Railway Road

    Chaguanas

    Trinidad, West Indies

    Tel. (868) 665-5989

     

    PRINCES TOWN

    LP 235 Iere Village

    Princes Town

    Trinidad, West Indies

    Tel. (868) 655-8871

     

    PORT OF SPAIN

    Wrightson Road

    Port of Spain

    Trinidad, West Indies

    Tel. (868) 625-1031

     

    POINT FORTIN


    62 – 64 Main Road

    Pt. Fortin

    Trinidad, West Indies

    Tel. (868) 648-2865

     

    SAN FERNANDO

    Balisier Avenue

    Pleasantville

    San Fernando

    Trinidad, West Indies

    Tel. (868) 657-7451

     

    ST. JAMES


    Western Main Road

    St. James

    Trinidad, West Indies

    Tel. (868) 628-2004

    (Driving Licence Renewal and duplicate services only)

     

    TOBAGO
    Milford Road
    Scarborough
    Tobago, West Indies
    Tel. (868) 639-2466
    Fax. (868) 660-7820

     

    For more information on renewing your driver’s permit, please contact the Licensing Division office nearest to you or the head office of the Transportation Division

    Ministry of Works and Transport

    Transport Division

    Wrightson Road

    Port of Spain
    Trinidad, West Indies

    Tel. (868) 625-1031
    Opening hours: 8:00 am to 4:15 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays.  Please note that the cashier closes at 3:00 pm.

    Can I apply for Old Age Pension?

    No. Old Age Pension is a monthly grant given to people 65 years of age and over, based on their income.To qualify for this grant you must be 65 years and over and:

    • Have a monthly income of TT$1000.00 or less.
    • Have resided in Trinidad and Tobago for 20 years before the date of the application. Periods of absence from the country must not total more than five years during those 20 years, or the applicant must have lived a total of 60 years in Trinidad and Tobago.