Dear Pastor,

I have always read your advice column. Please keep up the good work that you are doing. I am a Jamaican citizen living in the United Kingdom for the last 45 years. Can you give me the name and address of the ombudsman in Jamaica so that he can intervene regarding a problem I am having with an application for my birth certificate.

Not accepted

The problem is that in November 2008, I went to the Jamaican High Commission in London to renew my passport. An advisor told me that the hand-written birth certificates are no longer accepted. I have used it before and there was no issue. They now say that I have to apply in Jamaica for one that is typed and computerised. I subsequently applied in writing for the type of birth certificate that they wanted at the Registrar General's Department in Twickenham Park, St Catherine. A postal order for £60, (J$7,500) was enclosed to cover administration costs. I sent it by registered post.

It has been more than five months since that application has been sent in and yet I have not received my birth certificate, which I need to renew my passport. The tracking unit of the post office in London has confirmed that my application was delivered, so I would like to know what is going on.

Pastor, I implore you to pass on my problem to the ombudsman or someone who could investigate why it is taking so long to process my birth certificate.

C.L., United Kingdom

Dear C.L.,

I go to the Registrar General's Department fairly often. I will look into this matter for you.

Pastor