How to Become a member – Belize City
To get access to health care services with NHI:
You and all those living with you (including children or elderly) must have a valid Social Security Card. If you do not have a card you will not be able to receive the full NHI package of services!
To get a valid Social Security card for you and your family members:
Registration Documents
Born Belizeans applying for a card replacement or renewal, who do not have a scanned image of their birth certificate in the Social Security Board’s registration database, do not need to provide their birth certificate provided that:
a. The birth is registered and recorded at the Belize Birth Registry; and
b. The registered name and date of birth information, both at the Social Security Board and the Belize Birth Registry is a complete match.
Note: A change of name or date of birth must be authenticated by providing evidence showing that a bonafide / legal change has been made.
Registered persons who have a recent photo captured in SSB’s registration database do not need to provide the required Photo ID for card replacement or renewal purposes
Primary Documents:
- Belizean passport OR
- Birth Certificate or Adoption Certificate AND
- Valid photo ID
Naturalized Belizean
Primary Documents:
- Belize Nationality Certificate with photo;OR
- Belize Nationality Certificate without photo and a valid photo ID; OR
- Belize Passport.
Permanent Resident of Belize
Primary Documents:
- Birth Certificate OR Adoption Certificate. AND
- Belize Permanent Residence Card; OR
- Passport from country of origin or naturalized country with Belize Permanent Residence stamp affixed on one of the passport pages.
Note: An expired passport with Belize Permanent Residence stamp affixed is also acceptable.
Primary Documents:
- CARICOM Single Market & Economy Free Movement of Skills (CSME) Qualifying Certificate AND
- Passport from country of origin or naturalized country with Indefinite Entry of Stay “Right to Work” Stamp affixed on one of the passport pages.
Note: Qualifying Certificate is a Certificate of Recognition of Caribbean Community (Free Movement of Skilled Persons) Act.
Temporary Resident of Belize
Primary Documents:
- Valid passport from country of original or naturalized country. AND
- Valid permits, cards or stamps such as:
- Condition Stamp; OR
- Dependent Permit; OR
- Definite Entry of Stay “Right to Work” Stamp affixed on one of the passport pages; OR
- Refugee Card; OR
- Student Permit; OR
- Special Permit with Condition Stamp; OR
- Temporary Employment Permit; OR
- Temporary Residence Permit. OR
Note: A foreign national must submit his/her original birth certificate if he/she becomes a Permanent Resident or citizen of Belize.
Acceptable Photo IDs:
- Belize Passport
- Passport from naturalized country or country of origin
- Belize Voter’s Identification Card (with color photo)
- Drivers’ License
- National Identity/Identification Card (foreign national)
- Social Security Card
- Primary, Secondary or Tertiary School Student ID issued in Belize (applicable to dependent children under eighteen years)
If unable to provide any of the valid Photo IDs listed above, then:
- A recent (2X2 inch) color photo of applicant with a Justice of the Peace Declaration that reads: I certify that this is the true likeness of __________ and I have known him/ her for ________ years.
Note: Registered persons who have a photo captured in the Social Security Board’s registration database do not need to provide the required photo ID for card renewal or replacements purposes.
Acceptable Documents for Name Change:
- Adoption Certificate
- Corrected Birth Certificate
- Divorce Absolute
- Deed Poll with Birth Certificate, Adoption Certificate or Marriage Certificate
- Marriage Certificate. Etc.
Acceptable Documents for Proof of Marital Status:
- Married – Marriage Certificate
- Divorced – Divorce Absolute
- Separated – Court Document showing approval of legal separation
Card Fees
I have my Card, how do I get care?
Once you have a valid Social Security card, and your address has been validated by the Belize Social Security Branch Office, you and all your family members will have to register with an NHI Primary Care Provider (PCP) clinic.
The requirements for proof of address for the validation of registered head of household and all family members living at the same address is:
- Utility Bill in name of head of household or J.P. Declaration of place of residence with $1.50 stamp
- J.P. Declaration of all family members living at same residence with $1.50 stamp must include each family member by name, their social security number and date of birth
There are five available clinics in the South Side area of the Belize District. These are Belize Family Life Association (BFLA), Belize Medical Associates (BMA), Belize Healthcare Partners (BHP), Matron Roberts (MR) and Mercy Clinic.
To register with the clinic, simply take you and your family’s individual Social Security cards to the clinic you are assigned to. They will help you register with them.
Once this is complete, you and your family members can all access health care when needed.
Once you have registered with a clinic, you must go to the same clinic when you need medical attention.
