There was no doubt, the appointment system as implemented by the Civil Registry Department of the
Attorney General & Legal Affairs office, during the pandemic, was not optimal.
Person’s using the appointment system, had to wait as for as long as up to 4 , months to get an
appointment date to apply for a Birth, Marriage or Death Certificate. This doesn’t take into
consideration, certificate requests for “new deaths”.
A couple months ago, just around when the new school term was about to or had just reopened, the
online appointment system was no longer available to the public.
Persons with scheduled appointments were simply told, the appointment system is no longer
operational and they would have to join the line with other persons, to be served on a first come first
served basis. This was witnessed at the San Fernando office.
There are only four (4) Civil Registry offices serving the entire population. Three (3) In Trinidad and one
(1) in Tobago.
On a visit to the San Fernando office, a crowd of over 50 people was seen queued, awaiting service.
One woman spoken to, indicated she spent over six hours before she got through with getting her
certificate. Other persons indicated, this is quite normal everyday.
The appointment system would have masked to some extent, the inadequacy of the service.
It is quite evident, the demand for registry certificates has outgrown the limited capacity which now
serves the population. However, the appointment system would have regulated how many persons
showed up at the offices at a given time and day, thereby concealing the actual demand by citizens.
Persons residing from far as Point Fortin, Icacos, Mayaro, Erin, Siparia, Cedros Fyzabad, Guayaguayare,
Penal, Palo Seco, Princess Town, Gasparillo, visit the San Fernando office.
Although, there is a Registry Office located in Point Fortin, this office was staffed by a single government
employee and a security guard. It is stated that this government employee is now deceased and the
office remains closed.
Babies born in Point Fortin, now have to be registered in San Fernando.
Families with “new deaths” from the areas mentioned above, also have to journey to San Fernando, to
get their certificates processed.
It goes without question: acquisition of any civil registry certificate in Trinidad & Tobago, especially in
South Trinidad, is a task on a level, all by itself.