Use this guide if you are 18 or older, are lawfully married to a British Overseas Territories Citizen (BOTC), and meet the residency and eligibility criteria. You can apply online for naturalisation on the grounds of marriage with the Office of the Deputy Governor (ODG).
Prerequisites:
1. An eServices Sign In account — you must be a signed-in eServices user to apply. If you do not have one, select Register Here on the Sign In panel before you begin.
2. Certified copies of your documents — Scanned copies of your supporting documents, certified by a Justice of the Peace or Notary Public. See the full list under Required Documents on the Before You Start page.
3. Two referees and declaration forms — Once you’ve completed filling out the application from, click the Download form link beside each form in the Documents section. Print and sign them, then upload them in the Documents section.
4. The application fee — The application fee is a one-time payment of KYD $1,800, which includes a non-refundable filing fee of KYD $500.00, paid online by credit or debit card, or at any Cayman Islands Post Office using a payment voucher.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Apply for Naturalisation on the Grounds of Marriage:
1. Go to the British Overseas Territories Citizenship & Nationality Services page. https://my.egov.ky/web/odg
2. Select Start Application under Apply for Naturalisation on the Grounds of Marriage.
The BOTC Registration Application page opens. Read the Before You Start guidance, the list of required documents, the Payment Details and the Privacy Notice.
Referee, Consent and declaration forms. You can download the forms in the Documents section once you’ve completed the relevant parts of the form. Only the forms that match who is submitting the application are shown there, and they must be printed, signed and uploaded before you can submit.
3. Select Sign in to Start a New Application under Start Your Application at the bottom of the page.
4. Enter your eServices Sign In User Name and password, then Select Sign In.
5. Signed in with My eID?
If you are signed in to an eServices account that is linked to your Cayman Islands Identification card (My eID), the "Use your My eID details?" message appears when you open the Applicant Details section.
- Select Yes, fill them in at the bottom right of the message.
The message reads: "You have signed in with your My eID. We can fill your name, address and contact details from the Identification Register. Check all details are correct and update if needed, before you submit."
If you would rather complete the fields yourself, Select No, I'll enter them myself.
- Check the prefilled fields and complete any that are still blank.
Fields filled from the Identification Register are marked with a green Prefilled label beside the field name, making it easier for you to complete your application. Check every prefilled field and update anything that is incorrect before you continue. Some fields, such as Title / Salutation, are not prefilled and still need to be completed.
6. Select Start beside Applicant Details and complete the section.
Complete the mandatory fields. Complete every field marked with a red asterisk (*) before you continue.
a) Personal Details
– Title / Salutation — select from the list
Title / Salutation options: Mr; Mrs; Ms; Miss; Dr.
– First Name — enter your first name
– Middle Name(s) — optional
– Surname — enter your surname
– Date of Birth — dd/mm/yyyy
– Sex — select from the list
Sex options: Male; Female.
– Country of Birth — select from the full country list
– Nationality at Birth — select from the full list
b) Immigration Status
– Current Immigration Status — select from the list: Acknowledgement of the Right to be Caymanian; Caymanian Status; Continuation of Acknowledgement of the Right to be Caymanian; Permanent Residence; Permanent Residence (as a dependant of her husband); Permanent Residence (as a dependant of his wife); Permanent Residence as the Spouse of Caymanian; Right to be Caymanian; plus further options at the end of the list.
– Date Acquired — dd/mm/yyyy
– Applicant File Number — optional
c) First Application
– Is this your first application? — Yes / No
d) Name at Birth
– Is your name at birth different from your current name? — Yes / No
Fields change based on your answer. Answering Yes reveals Previous First Name, Previous Middle Name(s), Previous Surname, Date of Name Change and Reason for Change (shown below).
e) Contact Information
– Address Line — enter your address
– City / Town — enter your city or town
– Postal Code — enter your postal code
– Email Address — enter your email address
– Phone Number — enter your phone number
– Alternate Phone Number — optional
Finish this section: Select Save & Continue to save and move to the next section, or Save and exit application form to save your progress and return later. When the section saves, the message "Success: Your application has been saved." appears at the bottom left of the screen.
8. Complete the Spouse / Marriage Details section.
Complete the mandatory fields. Complete every field marked with a red asterisk (*) before you continue.
a) Spouse Details
– First Name — enter your spouse's first name
– Middle Name(s) — optional
– Surname — enter your spouse's surname
– Maiden Name (if applicable) — optional
– Date of Birth — dd/mm/yyyy
– Country of Birth — select from the full country list
– Nationality — select from the full list
– Date of Marriage — dd/mm/yyyy
b) Spouse's Address
– Is the spouse's present address the same as the applicant's address? — Yes / No
Fields change based on your answer. Answering No reveals Where does your spouse currently live? with the options Cayman Islands or International.
Cayman Islands: House / Apt No, Street Name, District, Address Line, City / Town and Postal Code.
International: Address Line 1, Address Line 2, City / Town, State / Province / Region, Postal / Zip Code and Country.
c) Spouse's BOTC Status
– Does the spouse have a BOTC Certificate? — Yes / No
Fields change based on your answer. Answering Yes reveals Spouse BOTC Certificate Number (shown below).
Finish this section: Select Save & Continue to save and move to the next section, or Save and exit application form to save your progress and return later. When the section saves, the message "Success: Your application has been saved." appears at the bottom left of the screen.
9. Complete the Convictions / Residency section.
Complete the mandatory fields. Complete every field marked with a red asterisk (*) before you continue.
a) Convictions
– Have you ever been convicted in a court of law of any crime or offence in The Cayman Islands or overseas? — Yes / No
Fields change based on your answer. Answering Yes reveals a Details of Conviction box.
– Have you ever been arrested in a court of law of any crime or offence in The Cayman Islands or overseas?— Yes / No
Fields change based on your answer. Answering Yes reveals a Details of Arrest box.
b) Residency History
– Date of first arrival in The Cayman Islands to reside — select the Year, Month and Day
List every address you have lived at in the Cayman Islands and the years covered:
– House / Apt No — optional
– Street Name — enter the street name
– District — select from the list
District options: George Town; West Bay; Bodden Town; North Side; East End; Cayman Brac; Little Cayman.
– From / To — select the years you lived at the address
Select Add Address to add a row, or Select the red delete icon to remove one.
c) Referees
Read the referee requirements at the top of the section, then enter the details for Referee 1 and Referee 2.
– Full Name — enter the referee's full name
– Date of Birth — dd/mm/yyyy
– Occupation — enter the referee's occupation
– BOTC Passport Number — enter the referee's BOTC passport number
– Citizenship — select from the list
Citizenship options: British Overseas Territories Citizen.
– Country — select from the list
Country options: Anguilla; Bermuda; British Antarctic Territory; British Indian Ocean Territory; British Virgin Islands; Cayman Islands; Falkland Islands; Gibraltar; Montserrat; Pitcairn Islands; Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha; South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands; Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia; Turks and Caicos Islands.
– Phone Number — enter the referee's phone number
– Email Address — enter the referee's email address
Finish this section: Select Save & Continue to save and move to the next section, or Save and exit application form to save your progress and return later. When the section saves, the message "Success: Your application has been saved." appears at the bottom left of the screen.
10. Complete the Documents section.
Upload the mandatory documents. Documents marked with a red asterisk (*) are mandatory and must be uploaded. Copies must be certified by a Justice of the Peace or Notary Public. "These documents must be attached before the application can be submitted."
a) Required Documents
– Certified Copy of Data/Photo Page of current passport
– Copy of Original Birth Certificate
– Proof of Immigration Status — select the document type first, then Select Select file
Proof of Immigration Status options: Certified Copy OR Certificate of Caymanian Status; Certified Copy of Permanent Residence Letter.
– Employment Verification — select the document type first, then Select Select file
– Certified Copy of Marriage Certificate
– Certified Copy of Data/Photo Page of Spouse's Passport
– Certified Copy of Spouse's Birth Certificate
– Recent Colour Full-Face Photograph
– Referee Form 1 — download, complete and upload
– Referee Form 2 — download, complete and upload
– Declaration of Spouse — download, complete and upload
To upload a document, Select Select file beside it, choose the file, then Select Open.
The file name and size appear in the box. If you uploaded the wrong document, Select the X beside the file to remove it, then upload the correct one.
b) Referee Forms and Declaration of Spouse
Select Download Form under Referee Form 1, Referee Form 2 and Declaration of Spouse.
Each form is pre-filled with the details you entered in the form. Referee forms are completed by the referee only and "must be signed in the presence of a Justice of the Peace or Notary Public." Your spouse signs and dates the Declaration of Spouse. Upload each signed form in its box.
Example PDF Generated:
c) Where Applicable
"Attach these only if they apply to your circumstances."
– Certified Copy of Deed Poll of Change of Name
– Divorce Decree
– Spouse Death Certificate
– Letter of Explanation
– Letter / Certificate of Acknowledgement of Caymanian Status / Right to be Caymanian
– Certified Copy of Continuation Letter (if age 17)
– Work Permit Approval Letter
Finish this section: Select Save & Continue to save and move to the next section, or Save and exit application form to save your progress and return later. When the section saves, the message "Success: Your application has been saved." appears at the bottom left of the screen.
When you select Save & Continue, a Saving documents message shows the upload progress (for example, "6 of 11 complete"). Wait for it to finish.
11. Complete the Payment Method section.
– Payment Method — select from the list
Payment Method options: Credit / Debit Card; Voucher (Pay at Post Office).
The application fee is shown.
Voucher (Pay at Post Office): A "How voucher payment works" box appears: "Next Step: Click Review, then Submit Application to finalise. Once submitted, you can download a payment voucher showing the amount due. Take this voucher to any post office to make your payment. After paying, return to Submitted Applications, find this application (status "Awaiting Payment by Voucher"), and upload your proof of payment to complete your submission." Follow steps 16–20 below.
Credit / Debit Card: Pay securely online during your application. Your application is submitted immediately once payment is confirmed, and you do not need a voucher or to upload a receipt.
Finish this section: Select Save & Continue to save and move to the next section, or Save and exit application form to save your progress and return later. When the section saves, the message "Success: Your application has been saved." appears at the bottom left of the screen.
To return to it later, Select My Draft Applications at the top of the nav bar. Draft applications that are not submitted within 45 days are removed, and you will need to start again.
12. Select Review at the bottom of the summary page.
All five sections now show as complete ("5 of 5 complete"), with the message "Your application is almost complete. Please click Review and then Submit Application to successfully finalise and proceed with your application."
13. Check the information on the review page.
To make a correction, Select Edit beside the section you need to change.
14. Complete the Declaration and Acknowledgement at the bottom of the review page.
– Tick all three declaration boxes — your consent, your declaration and your spouse’s declaration
– Your Name — enter your full name
– Signature and printed name belongs to — select one
Signature and printed name belongs to options: Applicant; Parent; Legal Guardian; Other.
– Signature — draw your signature in the box; Select Clear to start again
15. Select Submit Application at the bottom left of the screen.
A Processing message appears: "Please wait, your application is being submitted..." Do not close the page.
16. Select Download Voucher PDF in the pop-up.
You can download the Voucher here, and you will also be emailed the voucher. Your application is not complete until you pay. Download the voucher and take it to any Cayman Islands Post Office. Quote the Application ID when you pay. Once your payment is verified, your application will move to submitted.
The voucher shows the amount due, your Application ID, your name and the payment method: "Take this voucher to any post office to pay. Quote the Application ID when you pay. Once your payment is verified your application will move to submitted."
17. Take the voucher to any Cayman Islands Post Office and pay the amount due.
Quote your Application ID when you pay, and keep your payment receipt.
18. Select Go to Submitted Applications, or sign in again later and go to My Applications at the top of the screen.
Your application shows in My Submitted Applications with the status PAYMENT REQUIRED.
19. Select Upload Payment Receipt beside your application.
20. Select Select Document, choose your receipt, then Select Submit Documents.
The Document Type is set to Payment Receipt. Maximum size: 2 MB. File formats allowed: PDF, PNG, JPEG. Select the X beside the file to remove it.
The message "Your documents have been uploaded successfully." appears. Select Back to return to your applications.
Your application status changes to PAYMENT REVIEW. Once your payment is verified, your application will move to submitted.