The Registrar General's office requires the following information for the acquisition of a marriage licence:
APPLICATION FOR LICENCE
You and your partner must be in The Islands of The Bahamas at the time of application for the marriage licence.
APOSTILLE
Many countries now require that official documents, such as international marriage certificates, be certified by the issuing country. In The Bahamas, this means that an Apostille (a special seal) is applied by the relevant authority to certify that a document is a true copy of an original. The Apostille can be made available to you within thirty days of the request. Your Wedding Planner or Marriage Officer will assist you in this regard. There will be a charge of $10 per document requiring an Apostille payable to the Public Treasury.
RESIDENCY PERIOD
Persons wishing to be married in The Commonwealth of The Bahamas may do so after one day. That is to say, if a person arrives in The Bahamas on Monday, they may come into the Registrar General's office on Tuesday, obtain a marriage licence (while they wait), and get married on the same day.
MINORS
Minors (under 18 years) may be married with both parents' consent. Consent forms for minors are available at the Registrar General's office.
DIVORCED
If either party is divorced, the original final decree, or a certified copy must be produced. Where applicable, a translated, certified and notarised copy of the final decree must be produced.
WIDOWED
If either party is widowed, the original death certificate, or a certified copy, must be produced. Where applicable, a translated, certified and notarised copy of the death certificate must be produced.
SINGLE PERSONS
If either party is single and has never been married before, a declaration certifying this fact must be sworn before a notary public or other person authorised to administer oaths in the country of residence. This document must accompany the application for the marriage licence. This declaration can also be obtained in The Bahamas from an attorney-at-law or notary public.
MARRYING IN THE OUT ISLANDS
If you wish to marry on one of the Out Islands (any island other than New Providence), you can obtain a marriage licence at the Commissioner's office on that island and need not come to Nassau.
PROOF OF IDENTIFICATION AND RESIDENCY
Photographic identification issued by a government office in the country of residence is required. In most cases, a passport is used.
Both parties must produce evidence of their date of arrival in The Bahamas. The Bahamas Immigration Card and entry stamp in your passport is required.
BLOOD TESTS
No blood tests are necessary.
FEES AND VALIDITY
The fee for the licence is $120. Extra marriage certificates are available at $20 each.
The licence is valid for a period of three (3) months.
Note: Marriage licences are issued at the office of the Registrar General in Nassau (with the exception of wedding which will take place in the Out Islands). This office is open to the public Mondays to Fridays between the hours of 9.30am and 4pm.
Address: PO Box N-532
Nassau, Bahamas
Tel: (242) 323-0594, (242) 323-0595, (242) 323-0597
Fax: (242) 322-5553, (242) 393-7908
Once marriage is complete, while each couple is provided a handwritten copy of the ceremony, changes to such documents as passports, driver licences and insurances require an Apostille affixed to a certified copy. This service attracts the services of three (3) government agencies and at times as many submissions dependant on the payment option available to the client. This means that couples should be aware and advise respective Marriage Officers to immediately submit records to this office confirming completion for entry in the computerized database. Once this information exists clients must advise where the document will be presented so that the correct Apostille instrument is affixed as in the absence of this information it would be prepared based on the jurisdication of the mailing address provided. You should also provide mailing, telephone and E-mail contacts.
