The Editor, Sir:

It's nice to know that the RGD has a good record for serving many members of the public. Not so for at least some of the online applicants. I share my experience.

MAY 8 - Submitted online an application for a new copy of my birth certificate. Paid for the seven-day service with a credit card and received an application reference number.

MAY 23 - I emailed an enquiry to information@rgd.gov.jm after hours of unsuccessful attempts to phone. (I prepare myself and read a newspaper while waiting for extensive periods on the phone.) I received a reply that the email was undeliverable.

Follow up calls on my behalf while I was away and subsequent to my return on June 7, was unsuccessful until I finally got through on July 4. I was then advised that two attempts were made on June 16 and 18 to deliver the certificate to my home address and calls made to my phones. Both home and cell numbers work and no voice message was received!

Waiting for over two weeks

I was told that after the unsuccessful attempt to deliver my mail on June 18 , the certificate was sent to be mailed. As nothing had arrived by July 4 (more than two weeks later), I requested delivery, having initially paid for a seven day delivery. I was assured it would be delivered the next day, July 5.

On July 6, I called bright and early and was advised that the certificate was still at the mailing desk and no information had been given that it was to be delivered. On inquiry, I was told that mailing would have been likely during the following week. I then insisted that I still wanted it delivered and was told deliveries are done on weekends. It is now the evening of July 8, two months after my application. I still impatiently await the outcome.

As regards reimbursement of the additional $650 I paid on May 8 for a seven-day service, I was advised that I would have to go to a RGD office to submit my claim for a refund. Having opted to use the online 'service', because I have a disability, this will be a further un-anticipated 'crasses'!

I am, etc.,

JOHN A. MAXWELL

john.joanmax@cwjamaica.com

3 Hope Blvd,

Kingston 6