Historical Baptismal Records (Citizenship-Related Inquiries)

No.

The Chancery (the central office) of the Archdiocese of Kingston does not maintain parish sacramental registers and therefore cannot issue historical baptismal certificates or certified extracts. Parish sacramental records remain under the care of the individual parish where the baptism was originally recorded.

The ordinary practice of the Archdiocese is not to issue historical baptismal certificates or extracts relating to long-deceased individuals.

This policy helps protect fragile sacramental registers, preserves limited parish resources, and ensures a consistent approach throughout the Archdiocese.
Historical parish registers require careful preservation, and many parishes do not have the personnel or archival resources necessary to conduct historical or genealogical research.

In exceptional circumstances, an individual parish may choose to consider a request. Any such decision is made solely by the parish, based on its own available resources and administrative capacity.

Although the ordinary practice of the Archdiocese is not to issue historical baptismal certificates or extracts relating to long-deceased individuals, an individual parish may, in some circumstances, determine that it is able to consider a request.
Any such decision is made solely by the parish, taking into account its available personnel, archival resources, and administrative capacity.
Where a parish elects to provide archival research or written verification, an administrative fee may apply. Any such fee is determined by the parish and is payable directly to the parish.

The Archdiocese will not direct or require a parish to provide this assistance.

No.

Because each parish is responsible for its own sacramental records and available resources, some parishes may be able to provide limited assistance while others may be unable to undertake historical research.
The decision rests solely with the parish.