Members of the public who are deemed to belong to the Territory and are applying for Belonger Cards will now be issued electronic cards as a means to heighten security.

Registrar-General Mrs. Stephanie Benn speaking to the Department of Information and Public Relations explained, “The Civil Registry and Passport Office has become aware of the fraudulent reproduction of Belonger Cards and has taken steps to address this illegal practice in the form of the new Electronic Belonger Card. The new Electronic Belonger Card will be issued on a secured hard plastic and outfitted with several anti-counterfeiting features.”

For persons who have the non-electronic Belonger Card Mrs. Benn explained

that there will be a phase out period. “Effective May 1, 2012 all persons with the non-electronic Belonger Card will have six months to make an appointment and come in to the office to have the cards replaced free of charge. At the end of that six-month free period, persons will be charged the $30 fee to replace the cards. The use of all non-electronic Belonger Cards will become obsolete in May 2013.”

Mrs. Benn explained, “As a result of this new initiative, the process in which Belonger Cards are issued has been adjusted to ensure a smooth and productive transition while at the same time keeping the inconvenience to our customers to a

minimum.”

Applicants will now be required to submit their applications in person and may do so on Tuesdays and Thursdays only between the hours of 9:00am and 3:00pm. As

applicants will now be required to apply in person, applications submitted by mail will no longer be accepted. Once approved, applicants will be required to return in person the following Tuesday or Thursday, respectively between the hours of 9:00am and Noon to have their photograph and signature taken, at which time they will receive the completed card. As this process is crucial to efficiency, persons are being advised that there will be no exceptions to this policy.

Additionally, persons will now be required to produce a valid photo identification

upon submission of the applications. In the case of children without photo identification, the photo identification of the parents must be produced.

Additionally, persons who are aged 12 and older will now be required to sign their card. Persons are also being reminded that the Civil Registry and Passport Office will no longer accept laminated or damaged documents and only original documents will be accepted. Further, persons submitting documents in foreign languages are being advised that they must be accompanied by a certified English translation.

Mrs. Benn expounded, “The new Electronic Belonger Card will now entail an

expiration date of five years for children under the age of 16 and ten years for adults,and will be renewable at the end of such time. Persons are being reminded that they may renew their cards six months prior to its expiration.”

For additional information, please visit the Civil Registry and Passport Office’s website at www.crisvi.gov.vg or email enquiries to www.infocris@gov.vg or

sbenn@gov.vg. Persons may also contact the Office at 468-3701 ext. 3036.