By Tangerine Clarke
Consul General of Guyana
to New York, Barbara Atherly
announced the resumption of
operations to process documents
submitted by mail, and limited inperson
service for high-level notarization.
The diplomat told a virtual town
hall meeting and panel discussion
on July 10 that the office was not
deterred by the COVID-19 pandemic
lockdown, and continued
to serve nationals via telephone,
its www.guyanaconsulatenewyork.
org website, and social media platforms.
The panel of consulate staff,
along with CG Atherly gave a comprehensive
overview of services
that will be offered.
She said the consulate was not
deterred by the mid-March shutdown,
and noted, that the diplomatic
office strives to be accessible
to the public, and thanked officers
who worked from home processing
life certificates, birth and death
certificates.
However, the consulate is gradually
resuming service to finalize
the enormous backlog of documents,
Caribbean L 6 ife, July 17-23, 2020
strictly submitted through
the mail-in system.
The consulate would also be
operational from 10 am to 4 pm,
to help staff by-pass the peak hour
travel in order to provide limited
service from the consulate’s office
on 308 W 38th St. in Manhattan.
“I can assure you that the
staff of the consulate is committed
to the diaspora and has displayed
dedication in dealing with
the many challenges that arose,”
said CG Atherly, who promised to
expand the use of technology to
reach Guyanese across America,
and reiterated that the consulate
remains committed to serving the
diaspora.
Vice Consul Samuel Robinson,
reminded Guyanese that the consulate’s
website — www.guyanaconsulatenewyork.
org — is easily
accessible for the processing
of passports, and birth and death
certificates, where forms can also
be downloaded.
Staff would be working in office
Monday to Friday to give guidance
to callers, he said, and urged
persons to ensure passport forms
were fully completed with an
affixed signature.
He encouraged persons to
read all instructions that could
be found on the first page of their
old passport, in order to complete
the process.
The turn-around time for passports
after being processed in
Georgetown is estimated to take
four to six weeks, but due to the
COVID-19 pandemic measures
that are affecting mail service,
the document could take a little
longer.
Aquafie Monroe, executive
officer lll, said the consulate has
partnered with the National Insurance
Scheme in Georgetown, to
have Life Certificates notarized by
the consulate, and emailed to the
Georgetown office.
For this to be done, an appointment
must be scheduled by telephoning
the office at 212-947-
5110.
He repeated that consulate’s
website, as well as Whatsapp and
Facetime platforms are helpful, and
encouraged expatriots to download
and fill out forms, ensuring to add
a telephone number in case there
are emergency questions.
Consul General of Guyana to New York, Barbara Atherly.
Guyana Consulate
Counsel Beverly McDonald,
informed attendees that in order
to transact legal business such
as notarization of power of attorney
documents, bank letters, an
appointment must be scheduled
with the consulate by email –
cgny@guyanaconsulatenewyork.
com, or by telephoning, 212-947-
5113.
It is important to keep this
appointment, bringing along a
completed document that could
only be notarized only by the consulate
that does not prepare such
document.
This face-to-face transaction is
to facilitate signature needed to
validate the document.
A valid photo ID and a USD$20
money order are required for the
notarization copy. No cash would
be accepted.
She also dissuaded persons
from bringing along a companion,
since that person would not be
allowed into the office.
All of this information could
be accessed via the consulate’s
website, www.guyanaconsulatenewyork.
org
The hour-long town hall meeting
was held in collaboration with
Grace Kennedy/Western Union,
and moderated by Jonathon
Locke.
Guyana consulate resumes
office visits for limited services
For the past 9 years, we have been servicing
the community with dignity and compassion.
We look forward to the future providing
the same excellent service.
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