Bahamas Apply For Marriage Licence : Registrar Generals Department

Name of the Organization : Registrar Generals Department
Type of Facility : Apply For Marriage Licence
Country : Bahamas

Official Website : https://www.bahamas.gov.bs/

Apply For Marriage Licence :

Anyone wishing to be married in The Bahamas must first request a licence from the Registrar General’s Department. The legal age of marriage in The Bahamas is 18 years.

Related : Bahamas Registrar Generals Department Apply For Marriage Certificate : www.statusin.org/5158.html

A marriage licence is valid for three months. After a marriage has taken place, a Marriage Duplicate Register (Form No. 9) should be sent to the Registry by the Marriage Officer as soon as possible.

Eligibility :
Anyone wanting to get married in The Bahamas.

Process :
** Complete an Application for a Marriage Licence form and submit this form to the Marriage Registration Section of the Registrar General’s Department.
** Present a valid picture ID. A picture ID may take the form of a driver’s licence or a passport.

Participate in an interview if required :
** A Bahamian marrying another Bahamian is not required to be interviewed and the person performing the ceremony can sign the declaration.
** A Bahamian marrying a non-Bahamian must be interviewed by the Registrar General. The Registrar has to sign the declaration in this instance.
** Non-Bahamian applicants are interviewed by either the Registrars or any of the five designated Marriage Officers.

Once approved, a licence is issued with the applicable payment.

The following must be noted when applying for a Marriage Licence :
** Both individuals must complete the application form and be present at the Registrar General’s Department at the time of application for the marriage licence.
** Application between Bahamian and Non-Bahamian – 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.
** Divorcees/Widows/Widowers – Certified copies of final divorce decrees and certified copies of death certificates must be attached to the application if necessary.
** 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. This search may take up to two weeks.
** Non-Bahamians must prove that they have been in The Bahamas at least 24 hours. They are required to present their Immigration Cards as proof of entry.
** Non-Bahamian applicants are interviewed by either the Registrars or any of the five designated Marriage Officers.
** If either person is under the age of 18 they require a Certificate of Consent to Marriage By A Minor (Section 19. Chapter 88).
** Marriage Officers – 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.

Note :
At this time, this service is only provided in New Providence and Grand Bahama at the Registrar General’s Department.

Application Form :  https://www.statusin.org/uploads/5157-RGD_Application%20for%20Marriage%20Licence.pdf

Certificate of Consent to Marriage by a Minor. (If required)

Supporting Documents :
** Completed application form(s).
** A valid picture ID.

Turn-around time :
After completion of the application process, the marriage licence can be issued the same day or next day depending on circumstances.

Deadline :
The Marriage Licence is good for 90 days or three months.

Related Fee(s) :
There is a BS$100.00 fee attached to this service.

For more information please contact :
Marriages Section
Registrar General’s Department
Cor. of Shirley and Charlotte Street
P.O. Box N 532
Nassau
New Providence
The Bahamas

Tel. (242) 397-9179/9113
Fax. (242) 322-5553
Email. Regbirth@bahamas.gov.bs
Email. RegistrarGeneral@bahamas.gov.bs

Opening Hours : 9:30 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except on Public Holidays.