Age paper

noun AGE PA-per eːdʒ ˈpeːpa

Also spelled age papers, birth paper

A birth certificate — the official document that proves a person's age and identity. It is called 'age paper' because it is the very paper that establishes how old you are, and it is asked for at school, at work, for a passport, and at every official turn. The plain, descriptive name is typical of Jamaican speech, and to 'find yuh age paper' is a familiar bit of the business of proving who you are and when you were born.

  • Yuh need yuh age paper fi register fi school.

    You need your birth certificate to register for school.

  • Him cyaa get di passport widout him age paper.

    He can't get the passport without his birth certificate.

  • Keep yuh age paper safe, yuh a go need it.

    Keep your birth certificate safe, you'll need it.

Literally 'age paper' — the paper (document) that records one's age; a plain, descriptive name for the birth certificate.

Everyday term for a birth certificate.