Bahamas Marriage Certificate
Once your ceremony is complete and your marriage is registered, the Registrar General’s Department issues your official marriage certificate. In 2026, the certified copy fee remains $20 — this is your legal proof of marriage and the starting point for name changes, apostilles, immigration applications, and more. Glenn Ferguson can retrieve it from Nassau and ship it to you anywhere in the world.
Quick Answer: A certified copy of your Bahamas marriage certificate costs $20 from the Registrar General’s Department, Corner of Shirley & Charlotte Street, Nassau. Processing takes 1–2 business days. If you are already home, Glenn Ferguson retrieves it on your behalf and ships it internationally.
Need an apostille too? Glenn handles the complete apostille process — certificate retrieval, Ministry of Foreign Affairs submission ($120 gov fee), and worldwide courier delivery in a single managed service.
Certificate at a Glance
Registrar General’s Department
All Bahamas marriage certificates are issued by the Registrar General’s Department, Marriages Section. This is the only government body authorised to issue certified copies of marriage records registered in The Bahamas.
Contact & Location
Certificate & Apostille Fees
All fees are in Bahamian dollars (1:1 US dollar). Government fees are paid directly to the relevant authority. Glenn’s procurement and shipping fees are charged separately.
What Is on a Bahamas Marriage Certificate?
Understanding what your certificate contains helps you confirm it is complete and correct before using it for a name change, immigration application, or apostille. A certified Bahamas marriage certificate issued by the Registrar General includes:
Information Included
✓ Full legal names of both parties
✓ Dates of birth and nationalities
✓ Occupations at time of marriage
✓ Date and place of the ceremony
✓ Name and signature of the officiating Marriage Officer
✓ Names and signatures of two adult witnesses
✓ Official seal of the Registrar General
✓ Unique registration number
Not Included
Passport numbers, residential addresses, and parental details are not printed on the standard certified copy. If a foreign authority requires additional documentary evidence alongside the certificate, Glenn can advise on what supplementary documents are available from the Registrar General.
How to Get Your Bahamas Marriage Certificate
There are two routes: apply in person in Nassau yourself, or have Glenn Ferguson act as your local representative. The second option is the practical choice for most couples who have already returned home.
Confirm Registration
Your officiant registers the marriage. Glenn files your marriage register entry with the Registrar General on the day of your ceremony.
Apply for Certificate
Apply in person at Shirley & Charlotte Street, or WhatsApp Glenn to apply on your behalf. Provide full names, date, and location of marriage.
Certificate Issued
The Registrar General issues the certified copy within 1–2 business days. Fee: $20 per copy.
Receive & Use
Collect in Nassau, or have Glenn ship it worldwide. Proceed to apostille if required for use in another country.
What Your Bahamas Marriage Certificate Is Used For
Your certified marriage certificate is the foundational document for all post-wedding legal administration. Here are the most common uses for couples who married in The Bahamas.
Name Change (Passport)
Required by the UK Passport Office, US State Department, Canadian IRCC, and most other passport authorities to apply for a new passport in your married name.
Immigration & Visa
Required to sponsor a spouse for a visa or permanent residency. Most immigration authorities require either the original certificate or an apostilled copy.
Registering Marriage Abroad
Some countries require foreign marriages to be registered domestically. An apostilled Bahamas certificate is the required document for this process in the UK, EU, and Australia.
Name Change (Bank, DVLA, HMRC)
UK banks, the DVLA, HMRC, and other financial/government institutions require a certified marriage certificate to update records in a married name.
Estate & Legal Matters
Required as proof of marriage for wills, trusts, property ownership, life insurance, and probate proceedings in most jurisdictions.
Social Security & Benefits
Required by the US Social Security Administration, UK DWP, and Canadian provincial authorities to update spousal benefits and survivor rights.
Apostille: The Next Step for International Use
If you are registering your marriage or changing your name in the UK, USA, Canada, EU, or Australia, most foreign authorities require your Bahamas marriage certificate to carry an apostille — a government-issued authentication stamp that confirms the document is genuine. Glenn handles the complete apostille process from Nassau.
"Most couples don’t realise they’ll need their marriage certificate until they’re already back home trying to sort out a passport or an immigration form. I register every marriage I officiate with the Registrar General on the day, so the record is already in the system. WhatsApp me your wedding date and I can usually have the certified copy retrieved and shipping to you within 3–4 business days. If you also need an apostille, we do it all at once — one process, one courier."
Glenn FergusonLicensed Bahamas Marriage Officer • Nassau, BahamasWPIC-Certified Wedding Planner • BREA Licensed Bahamas Real Estate Agent • 200+ ceremonies • Licensed since 2001
Glenn Retrieves Your Certificate from Nassau
If you have already returned home, Glenn Ferguson acts as your authorised local representative at the Registrar General’s Department. You do not need to return to Nassau or arrange anything yourself.
What Glenn Handles
✓ Application to the Registrar General’s Marriages Section
✓ Payment of the $20 government fee
✓ Collection of the certified copy
✓ If apostille required: Ministry of Foreign Affairs submission ($120 gov fee)
✓ International courier to your address
Glenn has officiated 200+ weddings in The Bahamas since 2001 and processes certificate retrievals regularly. He is familiar with both the Registrar General’s office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs apostille workflow.
How to Get Started
WhatsApp Glenn with:
1. Full names of both parties as they appear on the marriage record
2. Date of your ceremony
3. Location (Nassau, Exuma, Harbour Island, etc.)
4. Whether you also need an apostille
5. Your shipping address and country
Bahamas Marriage Certificate — FAQ
Ask Glenn About Your Certificate
Not sure whether you need a certified copy, an apostille, or both? Use the form below and Glenn will reply within a few hours with exactly what you need and a quote.
About Glenn Ferguson
Glenn Ferguson is a Licensed Bahamas Marriage Officer and WPIC-Certified Wedding Planner based in Nassau, New Providence. He has officiated more than 200 ceremonies across Nassau, Paradise Island, Cable Beach, Exuma, Harbour Island, and Eleuthera since 2001. Glenn registers every ceremony he officiates with the Registrar General and handles post-wedding document services — certificate retrieval, apostille, and worldwide shipping — for couples who have already returned home.
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