Requirements for Obtaining a

Marriage License in the Bahamas

 

Anyone wishing to be married in the Bahamas must request a license from the Department of the Registrar General for a fee of $100.00. No blood test is necessary. The legal age of marriage in the Bahamas is eighteen (18) years.

A marriage license is valid for three (3) months. After a marriage has taken place, a Marriage Duplicate Register (Form 9) is sent to the Registry by the Marriage Officer. From this document, certified copies of marriage certificates are issued.

Persons under the age of 18 along with their parents or guardians need to complete a consent form and will be interviewed by the Registry.

Bahamians making application for a Marriage License must present valid government issued identification (Bahamian passport or voter's card). The application contains information for both applicants and must be signed by the Marriage Officer who performs the marriage.  Bahamians over the age of 40 who do not present a certified copy of a divorce decree or death certificate of a spouse must wait for a search to be conducted of the Records of Marriage to ensure that they have not been married before.  The search may take up to two (2) weeks.

Non-Bahamian applicants are interviewed by the Registrar or an approved Marriage Officer.  Once approved, a Marriage License is issued with the applicable payment.  When there is an application for marriage between a Bahamian and a non-Bahamian the couple is interviewed separately to avoid facilitating a marriage of convenience.

Unmarried persons must obtain an Affidavit of Marital Status sworn in the Bahamas in front of a Bahamian Notary Public to be submited with the Application.  United Kingdom and Canada applicants may bring Affidavits from their countries. Divorcees, Widows and Widowers must submit certified copies of final divorce decrees and certified copies of death certificates along with the application if necessary.

Non-Bahamians must prove they have been in the Bahamas at least 24 hours and present their Immigration cards as proof of entry as well as a valid Passport.  

The Registrar General, the Deputy Registrar, Assistant Registrar, Family Island Administrators or Commissioners and Supreme Court Magistrates are Marriage Officers by virtue of their appointment.  Justices of the Peace are not Marriage Officers although there are certain Marriage Officers who are Justices of the Peace.